National bowel screening programme team aim to boost participation in Gisborne-East Coast

Tairāwhiti bowel screening team members Aroha Hokianga (left) and Stacey Reeves are going out into the community to promote the service.

Passionate and committed sums up the Tairāwhiti National Bowel Screening Programme team of Aroha Hokianga and Stacey Reeves.

They aim to raise community awareness in the community about the availability and benefits of free bowel screening.

Since late last year, Tairāwhiti has been part of the bowel screening age extension programme inviting Māori and Pacific people to screen from age 50.

For Māori the bowel screening age is 50 to 74 years while it is 60 to 74 years for other populations.

The national participation rate in the programme is 63%. However, the uptake in Tairāwhiti has been much lower.

Since the start of the year the team have connected with all corners of the region to spread the word about the free screening service. They have offered education sessions at kura, kōhanga, chemists, medical centres, rural roadshows, work places - even Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club.

Hokianga and Reeves take a whole whānau approach to bowel screening education, giving family members the confidence to have conversations with their whānau who are of screening age.

Once enrolled, participants receive a bowel screening test kit every two years that includes a freepost return pack.

In some instances, the team can collect from letterboxes.

Bowel cancer is in the top three for cancer deaths in New Zealand, but with early detection, 90% of cases can be successfully treated.

Regular screening is effective because bowel cancer grows slowly and presents late.

If an individual experiences blood in their stool or a sustained change in bowel habits, the screening team strongly encourage them to see their healthcare provider and not wait to receive a bowel screening test kit.

* For those individuals or workplaces who would like to know more, email Reeves at stacey.reeves@tdh.org.nz or phone 021-225-6963.