Research initiated by Bowel Cancer New Zealand to better understand the experiences of younger New Zealanders diagnosed with bowel cancer has been published today in the peer-reviewed New Zealand Medical Journal.
Recognising a lack of New Zealand evidence about the growing number of younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, Bowel Cancer New Zealand initiated the research before partnering with researchers from the University of Otago to undertake what became the largest nationwide study of its kind in Aotearoa.
The study captures the experiences of more than 350 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 50 and highlights significant delays in diagnosis, frequent misdiagnosis, gaps in information and support, and the unique challenges faced by younger New Zealanders with bowel cancer.
BCNZ Patient Support Team Lead and co-author Victoria Thompson says the research began after the organisation recognised a growing need to better understand the experiences of younger people with bowel cancer.
Through our support services, we were hearing from more and more younger New Zealanders whose symptoms had been dismissed, who had experienced delays in diagnosis, and who were facing challenges that weren’t well understood. While we knew these stories were important, there was very little New Zealand evidence documenting those experiences.
We wanted to ensure those voices were heard and translated into evidence that could help improve awareness, diagnosis and support for future patients. We’re incredibly grateful to the more than 350 people who generously shared their experiences. Without them, this research simply wouldn’t have been possible.
The study was undertaken by researchers from the University of Otago, with Bowel Cancer New Zealand partnering on the project and Victoria contributing as a co-author.
Victoria says seeing the research published is an important milestone.
Publishing this research means the experiences of younger New Zealanders with bowel cancer become part of the clinical evidence that can help shape future care. We hope these findings encourage greater awareness, earlier investigation of symptoms and better support for younger people diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The findings have already informed Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s Never Too Young campaign and were presented at Parliament earlier this year to help raise awareness among policymakers and health leaders. Publication in the New Zealand Medical Journal now extends that reach to clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals across Aotearoa.
Chief Executive Peter Huskinson says publication in the New Zealand Medical Journal is an important step in ensuring the research reaches the wider health sector.
We’re incredibly proud to see this research published and of Victoria’s contribution as a co-author. Publication in New Zealand’s leading peer-reviewed medical journal means these important findings will reach clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals across the country.
Research like this strengthens our advocacy by providing robust New Zealand evidence to support improvements in awareness, earlier diagnosis and better care for younger people affected by bowel cancer. It ensures the lived experiences of hundreds of New Zealanders can help shape the future of bowel cancer care.
Bowel Cancer New Zealand extends its sincere thanks to the more than 350 people who generously shared their experiences, as well as Dr Rachel Purcell and the wider University of Otago research team for their collaboration and commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by bowel cancer.
Read the full peer-reviewed research paper in the New Zealand Medical Journal. For a publicly available summary of the findings and recommendations, read Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s Never Too Young Report.