Media release from Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa



The West Foyer of Parliament will display an unusual sculpture on Wednesday June 30 - a giant model of a human colon. The colon is on loan from the National Science-Technology Road Show Trust for the launch of Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa, a newly formed patient-led charity.

The press and invited guests are invited to come and look through the colon, taking an up-close and personal look at what can become a major health risk if left unchecked.

Bowel cancer is New Zealand's cancer; New Zealand's unacknowledged killer - with more than 1200 people dying every year. It's our most common cancer, and is more common here than almost anywhere else in the world. More than 1 in every 18 New Zealanders will be affected at some stage in their lives. It affects both men and women, young and old and people of all ethnicities.

The Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa parliamentary launch, hosted by Annette King, heralds a new era for bowel cancer awareness in New Zealand as a small group of committed patient volunteers seek to change the shocking trend currently resulting in the deaths of 100 New Zealanders every month.

In 2007 almost 3000 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer and 1252 people died from the disease. Dr Sarah Derrett (MPH PhD), the Chairperson for Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa Incorporated say that their mission is simple, to provide support to people with bowel cancer and their whanau and to raise awareness of the high rate of bowel cancer throughout New Zealand, encouraging men and women, young and old, to get tested if they have any symptoms of bowel cancer:

"I was diagnosed at 39 with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2004 after a single symptom - a one-off haemorrhage. I have been fortunate enough to survive. However, this is not the case for hundreds of New Zealanders who die unnecessarily as a result of late diagnosis"

Dr Derrett likens the death rates from bowel cancer to a Boeing 737 crashing every 6 weeks, saying that the reality is that dramatic. "If that happened you'd hear about it. But bowel cancer barely gets a mention. We cannot ignore it any longer. Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa has formed from a desire by patients to bring to the forefront awareness about New Zealand's silent killer and to stem the effects of what has become a preventable tragedy in our country. The announcement of a pilot screening programme by the Government is welcome - but it is only a beginning. New Zealand needs a national screening programme, along with many other initiatives, to address the problems of bowel cancer in New Zealand."


Young Mum, Mary Bradley, media officer for Beat Bowel Cancer, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2007 at just 28 after discovering a lump in her stomach. She says: "Enough is enough! Our group has formed to help address this shocking statistic. Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa have formed as a nationwide, patient-led organisation committed to reducing the impact of bowel cancer on our community through awareness, education and support. This is one of the most curable cancers if detected early - our group intends that this message of hope and raised awareness reaches all New Zealanders".

Bowel cancer is the result of polyps, which occur in about one in five people and for one in 18 New Zealanders these develop into cancer. Research shows that a simple screening test combined with changes in diet and regular exercise can result in around 75% of bowel cancers being prevented or reduced by early detection.