Has testing for bowel cancer now died?

As one who appears to have survived two types of cancer over the past two years — caught early in spite of having to figuratively storm the gates of Waikato Hospital to get early attention — I am wondering why the initiative from health boards for people in the older demographic to get tested for bowel-cancer was so short-lived, and now seems to have died a premature death.

Yes, this is selfishly about me again, but I am sure that there are quite a few other pensioners and the like in the same boat.

I first became concerned when I began having cautionary symptoms, producing difficulties, including both frank, and altered blood, from my digestive tract.

However, I was told by local Medlab staff, that they no longer routinely examine specimens for occult blood, and this was confirmed by my local GP . . . so the result of the analysis came back as normal when in fact it was shot-through with visible to the eye occult blood.

Apparently I have been placed on the semi-urgent list for the needed colonoscopy, but as the months are rolling by, there is as yet no colonoscopy or specialist appointment.

A person in the medical profession, obviously speaking out of turn, has informed me that some local people on a list for colonoscopies have been bumped off that list because they have obtained the ripe old age of 70 years.

One wonders if the rot and mould problems which have beset other hospitals is simply showing up among the hierarchy and heads of departments in Waikato.

Looks like the over-70s are going to need a sound and workable euthanasia policy after all.