Bowel cancer screening is saving lives
Don’t be a fool, submit that stool! You can poo it!
The National Bowel Screening Programme is free for people aged 60 to 74 years.
It aims to save lives by finding bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated.
Te Whatu Ora workers Sally Maoate and Liz Morley are running an awareness campaign to help people understand what’s involved.
A series of videos and clear messages are being shared on the Health NZ — Hawke’s Bay facebook page along with a number of health messages that could save your life.
Around the time of your 60th birthday you will be invited to join the National Bowel Screening Programme and a test kit will be sent to you in the mail.
The promotional campaign involves several videos of Sally and Liz demonstrating how to complete the test. It’s really easy to do and aims to save lives.
“Aotearoa has one of the highest bowel cancer rates in the world with more than 3000 people being diagnosed each year and over 1200 who die from the disease. We have a really big concern,” Liz Morley said.
“When we are presenting to a group, we always meet people who have been impacted by bowel cancer is some way.
“Our monthly video messaging on facebook aims to breakdown the main information around bowel screening to hopefully dispel misconceptions and encourage participation,” Sally Maoate said.
Just about everyone knows someone going through the bowel cancer journey.
Every eligible person that you know should be doing the test. If that person is you, please take the time to do the test,” she said.
Last year, my friend turned 60 and soon after she received her Screening Pack.
Being a responsible wahine, relatively healthy and fit, she followed the instructions and did the test. She was quite surprised with the result, however being sensible in her reaction, she took the necessary steps to do what was needed to be successfully treated.
Needless to say, I’m very proud of her.
In communicating with my friend for this article, she commented, “Take the test! For me, it has meant more time with my wha¯nau, more wonderful time with my moko! Take that test, so you are the best for your whanau!”
The screening involves sending a sample of your poo to the laboratory to be tested.
The pack that you receive has all of the instructions and you can do it at home. No one has to know a thing.
The screening test is sent every two years to people of age who are eligible for publicly funded health care.
Information on who is eligible for publicly funded health services is available on Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand’s website or by phoning 0800 924 432 or email info@bowelscreening. health.nz
If you are eligible to take part, you will be sent an invitation letter, a consent form and a free bowel screening test kit with instructions on how to use it.
You can be a part of the campaign by joining the facebook page to listen Sally and Liz. Save a life, save your life. You can poo it wha¯nau! Don’t be a fool, submit that stool!
This is no laughing matter, but if a catchphrase helps you do the right thing, well ka pai! Take that test, so you are the best for your whanau!
Find out more at https://www. timetoscreen.nz/ bowel-screening or call 0800 924 432.