News release

From: New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ)

Bowel cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people under 50 years of age, but little is known about patients’ experiences in New Zealand. We surveyed 353 New Zealanders diagnosed with bowel cancer before age 50 and found that many people experienced long delays before receiving a diagnosis, with half waiting 6 months or more from first symptoms to diagnosis and one in five waiting more than a year. Many people were diagnosed with advanced-stage disease and reported that their symptoms were initially attributed to other conditions. Respondents also described gaps in support, including limited information tailored to younger adults, low rates of fertility and sexual health counselling, and challenges related to work, finances and family life. These findings highlight the unique challenges faced by younger people with bowel cancer and the necessity to better understand and support their needs.