Locals are encouraged to participate in the National Bowel Screening Programme as it reaches a significant milestone, with two million home screening kits distributed across New Zealand.

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced the achievement, highlighting the programme's success since its inception in 2017.

“This programme has detected 2,495 cancers as of June 2024, with a third at an early stage where there is a greater than 90 per cent chance of five-year survival,” said Dr Reti.

“That’s almost two-and-a-half-thousand New Zealanders who can thank the programme, which has also detected thousands of pre-cancerous polyps.”

Dr Reti emphasised the government's commitment to improving cancer outcomes, noting a recent $604 million boost to Pharmac’s budget to fund up to 26 cancer treatments.

He added that early detection is crucial, as exemplified by a survivor whose cancer was found through the screening programme.

The milestone follows the completion of the nationwide rollout in June 2022, ensuring that all eligible people aged 60 to 74 have been invited to participate in free bowel screening.

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in New Zealand, with around 3,300 diagnoses and over 1,200 deaths annually.

“As a GP, I strongly encourage people to take part in bowel screening – it can help detect bowel cancer before you have any symptoms. Bowel screening is simple, quick and free, and could save your life,” Dr Reti said.

The programme’s success underscores the importance of regular screening and early detection in combating bowel cancer.