Approximately 1 in 15 New Zealanders will develop bowel cancer.

Digestive health is a delicate issue. With over 2000 New Zealander’s developing bowel cancer every year, it’s an area of utmost importance to your wellbeing.

The difficulty with bowel cancer is that it often does not have any symptoms until it is advanced. The more comforting news is that bowel cancer is preventable with the appropriate screening.

The New Zealand government has introduced a bowel screening programme that tests faeces for blood. If the test is positive, a colonoscopy is recommended. If you have a family history, it may be best to go straight to colonoscopy.

Bowel cancer screening at Intus

Intus provides the gold standard of bowel cancer screening. The most accurate and thorough method of screening the bowel is colonoscopy. Our specialists are highly skilled and experienced colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists who work closely with our patients to provide personalised care in a professional environment.

The Endoscopy Suites at Intus is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology which ensures all abnormalities are detected and can usually be dealt with during the procedure, preventing you from developing bowel cancer in the future. 

We also see patients who have been found to have a positive Faecal Occult Blood test through patient participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening programme. 

Screening guidelines

• Screening for bowel cancer and pre-cancerous polyps should be offered to all men and women beginning at age 50.

• Personal and familial risk factors need to be evaluated when considering screening.

• Doctors should recommend a full diagnostic evaluation of the colon to follow up positive screening test.

• People with symptoms that suggest the presence of bowel cancer or polyps should have appropriate diagnostic evaluation. They are not candidates for screening.

• Follow up surveillance should be considered after treatment of bowel cancer or removal of adenomatous polyps or in the presence of underlying pre-malignant conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

• Screening should be accompanied by efforts to optimise a participation of patients and healthcare providers both with screening tests and appropriate diagnostic follow up.

• People who are candidates for screening should be given adequate information on the risks and benefits of the various screening procedures.