Men and Pacific people more likely to mess up bowel cancer self-tests

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-12-14 03:00

New Zealand

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Pacific people are six times more likely to return a 'spoilt' bowel cancer test kit, and men are four times more likely to do so, according to new research. The results come from a study of nearly 3,500 participants in a faecal testing scheme in the Hawke's Bay. The researchers say that bowel screening programmes need to ensure they track spoilt kits to ensure they aren't resulting in inequitable screening.