New Zealand’s bowel cancer screening is inequitable, say researchers

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-05-21 00:01

New Zealand

Screening for bowel cancer is currently limited to people aged 60 to 74 years. But while less than a third of bowel cancers occur in people below that age range for non-Māori, for Māori just over a half of bowel cancers occur in under 60 year olds. In a Viewpoint, researchers reviewed the epidemiology of bowel cancer, and concluded that more cancers are being missed at present, as the current cut-off fails to account for Māori being a younger population. Suggested solutions are to extend screening to Māori from age 50, narrow the age range for non-Māori, or a mix of both.

Media release

From:

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago, University of Auckland, Waikato District Health Board

Funder: Dr Crengle reports personal fees from Chair of Te Waipounamu Māori Cancer Leadership Group (Southern Cancer Network (now Southern Hub, Te Aho o te Kahu)) and grants from Co-Director of Cancer Society Research Collaboration, University of Otago, outside the submitted work. She is also Medical Advisor, Bowel Cancer New Zealand, and a Member He Ahuru Mowai (National Māori Cancer Leadership Group). Dr Robson reports other contracts from Ministry of Health, outside the submitted work, and is Member of Hei Āhuru Mōwai. Dr Paine reports grants from Health Research Council of New Zealand during the conduct of the study. Dr Scott reports personal fees from Te Aho o Te Kahu Advisory Council member outside the submitted work and is member of Bowel Screening Advisory Committee, Ministry of Health, and Co-Chair of Hei Āhuru Mōwai—Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa. Dr Harris reports grants from Health Research Council of New Zealand during the conduct of the study and personal fees from Ministry of Health outside the submitted work. Dr McLeod reports grants from Health Research Council of New Zealand during the conduct of the study, personal fees from Waitematā and Auckland DHBs outside the submitted work and is a member of the Bowel Screening Advisory Group and the COVID expert advisory group, Ministry of Health.

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