NEWS

Browse our latest news articles and stories in the media

Our latest news articles

Our ambassador and former Tall Black Alex Pledger spoke to Dom Harvey, reflecting on his bowel cancer journey and where he is now.
Read more →
Kiwi nutritionist Nikki Hart speaks to us about the importance of fibre in the diet and its connection to lowering the risk of bowel cancer.
Read more →
ANZ New Zealand showcased our charity in a heartwarming video and article with bowel cancer patient Tamsyn Cornwall and our nurse.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ ambassador Dean Barker shares how he is doing mentally and physically in his bowel cancer journey.
Read more →
Our 2022/2023 Impact Report illustrates how with your support, we have kept patients at the forefront of everything we do.
Read more →
We’re doing 12 days of gratitude this Christmas to share our mahi and the incredible support we received in 2023.
Read more →
RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group Partners with Bowel Cancer New Zealand to Promote Early Detection and Awareness.
Read more →
La Mère Diana is named after the creator's mother who passed away from bowel cancer. $1 from every bottle will go to Bowel Cancer NZ.
Read more →
Doug is a bowel cancer patient and vocal advocate for men’s health. He has been sharing his story, treatment and symptoms on social media.
Read more →
We are supporting a campaign to ensure that the National Travel Assistance (NTA) Scheme works better for patients and whānau.
Read more →
"I've put together some tips that might make getting through the holiday season a little easier..."
Read more →
Dai speaks bravely and openly about the emotional rollercoaster of his diagnosis and chemo.
Read more →
The University of Otago provided the opportunity for a patient voice with the Live Human Tissue Model Network.
Read more →
A commitment to lowering the bowel screening age is only the first step.
Read more →
NZ's leading cancer charities has issued an urgent call ahead of the election, to take action on cancer.
Read more →
Dai Henwood was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2020 and says, "Cancer doesn't define me. How I respond to it defines me."
Read more →
We urge the Government to pause the Therapeutic Products Bill and to consult with the various organisations affected.
Read more →
New Zealand sailing legend and bowel cancer survivor Dean Barker is encouraging Kiwis to join him and help kick bowel cancer in the butt this June.
Read more →
Our 2021/2022 Impact Report is now available and highlights our key activities over the year and what your support helped us achieve.
Read more →
Kiwis with bowel cancer do not have access to potentially life-extending treatments due to Pharmac’s funding process.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ sponsor, CottonSofts, now lists potential bowel cancer symptoms on new packaging to save lives!
Read more →
A diagnosis costs in more ways than just the physical and emotional; there is also a financial burden. Financial assistance is now available.
Read more →
We’re proud to be research partners with The Mallaghan Institute Of Medical Research and K9 Medical Detection.
Read more →
Worrying delays face younger patients in accessing much-needed diagnostic bowel screening.
Read more →
Bowel cancer in young people is increasing and greater awareness about the significance of its symptoms in this group is urgently needed.
Read more →
"If by sharing my story, I can help just one person to go and get checked out early, then it will be worth it.”
Read more →
The bowel screening age for Māori and Pasifika people will be lowered from 60 to 50 years old starting in 2023.
Read more →
June 2022 is bowel cancer awareness month, and Bowel Cancer New Zealand's annual Move Your Butt challenge.
Read more →
The report released today by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency) is a small step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.
Read more →
Surgery was a success and I'm out of ICU and feeling good. Great team of surgeons, doctors and nurses here taking care of me.
Read more →
Targeted drugs for metastatic bowel cancer aren’t funded in New Zealand. Why are Kiwis being denied access to these medicines?
Read more →
Jenny-May lost her brother to bowel cancer at age 54, so she knows first hand how important it is to seek help early.
Read more →
Nitrates in drinking water are highly unlikely to increase the risk of bowel cancer in NZ, according to the current weight of evidence.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ is concerned about barriers to timely diagnosis of colorectal cancer by people in the Southern DHB.
Read more →
It's estimated within the next decade 1 in 10 colon cancers and 1 in 4 rectal cancers will be diagnosed in adults younger than 50 years.
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
While it is important we lockdown to help control the delta variant, we also need to continue to progress investigation and treatment for cancer patients
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
We’re proud to be contributing $60,0000 towards a Kaupapa Māori Qualitative Study.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ is disappointed that funding for PHARMAC was less than half the amount requested.
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
Victoria, our bowel cancer nurse, has had a busy year attending meetings and events to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Read more →
Not long after Rachael was diagnosed, all she wanted to do was create more awareness around bowel cancer.
Read more →
Kevin Biggar’s life was touched by bowel cancer when his Mum died. As a motivational speaker and adventurer, he’s determined to spread the word and get Kiwis talking about it.
Read more →
After suffering from IBD for 22 years, Tamsyn was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 31. Despite going through chemo, she’s doing the challenge to raise awareness and inspire others.
Read more →
We call on the Ministry of Health to prove equitable health care is a priority for the government on World Cancer Day.
Read more →
As we dealt with COVID-19 here in NZ, cancer screening and testing declined. But don’t wait. Contact your doctor. Get checked.
Read more →
Covid-19 impacted our funding, but it certainly didn't slow us down in 2020.
Read more →
This four-year study was the first to specifically examine the role of diet as a cause of bowel cancer in NZ.
Read more →
Our communications manager has been selected to share her personal insights.
Read more →
We're really pleased with how our Never Too Young article looks in MediBoard NZ's very first edition.
Read more →
Bum Huggers is a project we've released in collaboration with Great Full NZ where all profits go to our charity.
Read more →
Cancer is the leading cause of death in New Zealand. This year, 23,000 New Zealanders will be diagnosed with cancer and 10,000 will die.
Read more →
The campaign is running this August, in memory of 4 brave young people who appeared in the 2018 campaign and have sadly passed away since.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ is proud to be supporting this study by the University of Technology, Sydney.
Read more →
A group of bowel cancer patients has put together a nationwide campaign highlighting that you are never too young for bowel cancer.
Read more →
June 2020 is bowel cancer awareness month – and it’s also our annual Move your Butt fundraiser.
Read more →
Emma Purchase's gorgeous husband Chris, the father to her two children, tragically passed away at the end of February from stage 4 bowel cancer. 
Read more →
Former Black Caps fast bowler and cricket commentator Simon Doull and his wife Liana have become Bowel Cancer NZ ambassadors.
Read more →
Jane Lowe's experience of nearly losing her mother to bowel cancer has left her determined to help more Kiwis prevent and beat bowel cancer.
Read more →
Edwin Lim has several very moving reasons to get involved in this year’s Move your Butt challenge.
Read more →
“The government is turning its back on hundreds of New Zealanders in their fifties, condemning many to an unnecessarily early grave.”
Read more →
Deborah (Debbie) Mary Fitzpatrick passed away on 27 June 2019 after a 2 ½ year battle with bowel cancer.
Read more →
Bowel cancer survivor and registered nurse, Kirsty Wing, is representing the patient / public perspective on the Bowel Screening Advisory Group
Read more →
Our chairperson Trisha Cooney recently attended the MedTech Showcase in Parliament, hosted by the Minister of Health.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand is critical of how long the nationwide rollout has taken, and how long it will continue to take for the remaining half of New Zealand to get access to life-saving bowel screening.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand is pleased to see the bowel screening programme finally rolled out to half of New Zealand’s 20 DHBs.
Read more →
In 2018 a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Mercy Hospital co-designed an animated video with a talented group of students at Otago Polytech.
Read more →
Like waves hitting rocks, bouncing off and then returning once again is how wide the cancer impact feels...
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand welcomes the Government’s announcement yesterday of a national control agency and a funding boost for Pharmac.
Read more →
Nat would be shouting at us from the heavens. She was the MOST competitive, feisty, hearty, mouthy (netball) player you'd find. 
Read more →
I’m not someone who usually does this sort of thing, but this cause is just too important to ignore.
Read more →
For father-of-three Mike Heiler staying alive meant packing up his family's life in Wanaka and moving five hours away to Christchurch.
Read more →
Our amazing current leader on the Move your Butt fundraising leaderboard, Evie, is planning to ‘plant a tree pose’ every day in June.
Read more →
Well, as the beginning of the challenge nears I find myself in an awkward situation.  Am I going to be ready to start?  
Read more →
This May, four amazing people all who had lost someone incredibly important to them due to bowel cancer, trekked the Great Wall of China.
Read more →
This equates to a total of 100 repetitions, representing the 100 lives that will be lost in June from this disease. Read more here.
Read more →
It's days like today that make something harder than it should be. Beaten by that dreaded word again BOWEL CANCER.
Read more →
I have only just sent out emails to friends telling them what I am doing and have been amazed at the support that I have had back already.
Read more →
Nigel Latta, TV host, author and psychologist, is getting behind the Move your Butt challenge in June. Read more here.
Read more →
Nutritionist, media commentator and mother, Claire Turnbull, is taking on the Move your Butt challenge to help more Kiwis beat bowel cancer.
Read more →
Sports commentator, Jenny-May Clarkson, is taking on the Move your Butt challenge this June to help more Kiwis beat bowel cancer.
Read more →
Professor Frank Frizelle is a bowel cancer specialist, Professor of Surgery and the Editor in Chief of the New Zealand medical journey.
Read more →
You've signed up for the Challenge and feeling great - but now you’ve got to start preparing to Move that Butt!
Read more →
I signed on to the Move your Butt challenge and it’s all on! I’m doing it for Nat, my best friend and sister who I lost to bowel cancer.
Read more →
So I’ve signed up for this challenge.  No big deal I think!  But…it is a big deal.  I have long wanted to work with Bowel Cancer NZ. 
Read more →
Ann Bradley is adamant that she’s going to participate in Move your Butt month - partly for her fitness, but primarily to help spread the word.
Read more →
So, you’ve signed up to Move your Butt? Make sure you include these must-haves on your fundraising page. More here:
Read more →
Burpees for Bowel Cancer is my Move your Butt challenge and I’m making steady progress. So far I’m managing 16 burpees a day. More here:
Read more →
Britt Chambers is a huge supporter of Bowel Cancer New Zealand and a true inspiration to us all.
Read more →
At 38, I was fit and healthy, and diagnosed with bowel cancer. I was treated with surgery followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. More here:
Read more →
I’m passionate about doing the Move your Butt challenge this June as my father died of bowel cancer when I was 16. More here:
Read more →
Dionne and her family are challenging themselves to do 100 squats a day for the Move your Butt challenge in June. Read more here:
Read more →
Her doctor recommended an ultrasound , which led to a Stage 3 diagnosis where cancer was found in her bowel and lymph nodes. More here:
Read more →
Here are just some of the ways your help has enabled Bowel Cancer New Zealand to make real change happen. Read more here:
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ wants to see an urgent investigation into the "wide variation" in mortality rates following bowel cancer surgery across the country, as revealed in the 2019 Bowel Cancer Quality Improvement Report.
Read more →
The doctor literally saved my life. 10 days later I had my colonoscopy and they found a 5cm tumour low down in my bowel.
Read more →
CANGO has adopted a position on improving the access to new cancer medicines and treatments in New Zealand. Read more here:
Read more →
My oncologist, with all family present, then told me I had stage 4 bowel cancer that had metastasised to my liver and lung. More here:
Read more →
“Unacceptable” disparities between New Zealand’s DHBs for cancer outcomes has experts calling for a new national agency. More here:
Read more →
The Southland father says he’s been let down by the public health system that fails to hold DHBs to account for life-threatening wait times.
Read more →
For years an elite cyclist’s stomach pain was put down to food intolerances. Now, Brittnea Chambers has been told her cancer is terminal.
Read more →
“We have been calling for the government to increase workforce capacity since 2010 and yet nothing has been done to address these concerns."
Read more →
Hira Renata received an invitation to participate in the National Bowel Screening Programme this year and it may have saved his life.
Read more →
This quirky book is ideal for road-trippers, people looking for a unique coffee-table book for those seeking that uniquely different gift!
Read more →
Health officials are trying to curb the high rate of bowel cancer deaths among Pasifika people by encouraging them to take screening tests.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand funded a study earlier this year to research the pathways to diagnosis for bowel cancer patients. More here:
Read more →
The Ministry of Health is being urged to review a bowel cancer screening decision, to reduce health inequity. Read more here:
Read more →
A Bowel Cancer NZ funded study is the first to present bowel cancer patients’ perspectives and experiences of the pathways to diagnosis.
Read more →
Hawke’s Bay DHB will join the National Bowel Screening Programme in October offering free bowel screening to eligible 60 to 74 year-olds.
Read more →
Everyone should be able to expect a timely bowel cancer diagnosis no matter where they live in NZ, whether that is Auckland or Northland.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand has been calling for an increase in colonoscopies and endoscopists for nearly a decade now. Read more:
Read more →
She had surgery followed by chemo but suffered from cardio-toxicity from the chemo drug, known as 5-FU. Read more here:
Read more →
Frank has been awarded one of the highest honours, an honourary fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Read more here:
Read more →
More than 150 people took the chance to walk through our huge inflatable colon and chat to health experts last week. Read more here:
Read more →
The Dunedin 37-year-old is dying from bowel cancer, and wants to spend the time she has left alerting people to the signs of the disease.
Read more →
A person was diagnosed with bowel cancer more than 3 years after they should have been invited to take part in a free screening programme.
Read more →
Bowel screening information should tell people how to get their actual reading, Bowel Cancer New Zealand says. Read more here:
Read more →
The 79-year-old Cooper’s Beach resident was at home last week recovering from a second bout of surgery to remove a tumour. Read more:
Read more →
Health Minister Dr David Clark is welcoming the introduction of the National Bowel Screening Programme in Nelson Marlborough DHB today.
Read more →
Positive step forward for bowel cancer screening Bowel Cancer New Zealand is pleased the Ministry of Health has accepted the series of recommendations from the bowel screening review, and looks forward to working with the Ministry going forward.
Read more →
The Health Minister has delivered a new set of recommendations to strengthen the rollout of the national bowel cancer screening programme.
Read more →
Cottonsoft Ltd has recently added a few new products to their awesome portfolio.  Last year they launched EarthSmart toilet tissue. Read more:
Read more →
From August 14, free bowel cancer screening will be offered across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough for people aged between 60 and 74 years-old.
Read more →
As bowel screening programmes continue rolling out across the country, a cancer survivor is urging people to get on board. Read more:
Read more →
Why does NZ have one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world and why does the southern district have some of the highest rates?
Read more →
Southlanders on Tuesday 26th of June helped to open the conversation surrounding one of the country’s most prevalent diseases. Read more:
Read more →
More Māori and Pasifika people are likely to die of bowel cancer than any other ethnic group in New Zealand, according to a recent study.
Read more →
Don’t be afraid to talk about poos and bums – it just might save your life, bowel cancer survivors say. Read more here:
Read more →
A University of Otago Christchurch research team found the common and usually helpful gut bug, bacteroides fragilis, is toxic in some people.
Read more →
Her son’s story showed bowel cancer, often perceived as an older person’s disease, could strike at any age. Read more here:
Read more →
Pacific and Māori people with bowel cancer tended to seek medical help at a later stage, so were treated when the cancer was more advanced.
Read more →
Tune into TVNZ News on the new gastroenterology unit that has now opened in Dunedin. Find out more about this story here:
Read more →
Dunedin Hospital’s new gastroenterology department is expected to help a region with one of the highest bowel cancer mortality rates in NZ.
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
Lambourne is joining nine “young” Kiwis in the Never Too Young campaign, which aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer among younger people.
Read more →
Two Kiwi celebs have taken on the challenge of the 2018 Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon in a battle against bowel cancer.
Read more →
The national bowel cancer screening programme has begun in the Southern District Health Board region. Read more here:
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
Hundreds of New Zealanders missed out on potentially life-saving bowel cancer screening because of another problem with sending invitations.
Read more →
Friends Fiona Laing and Natalie Savigny are taking on the challenge of walking the entire 152km to raise money and awareness. Read more:
Read more →
We have one of the highest rates of bowel cancer deaths in the Western world: in NZ 40% of sufferers die from the disease. Read more:
Read more →
About eight lives have already been saved in Hutt Valley and Wairarapa by bowel screening, according to experts. Read more:
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
We believe people who return positive tests with bowel screening kits should be able to get direct access to publicly funded colonoscopies.
Read more →
All the best to Brit Chambers who will be running in the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays this coming Sunday! Read more here:
Read more →
Three people developed bowel cancer with one whom died after 2500 Waitemata residents weren't invited to a screening due to a computer glitch.
Read more →
One Dunedin man is incredibly grateful, after taking a simple test saved his life. And he wants to encourage others to do the same.
Read more →
The Southern DHB are now a little bit further ahead in terms of being able to provide a screening programme.
Read more →
Could a simple blood test help us detect bowel cancer? Trialed on more that 1000 people already diagnosed with cancer the results look good.
Read more →
It is possible that psychological interventions could improve the quality of life of people who have had bowel cancer.
Read more →
Amit H. Sachdev and Frank G. Gress share some of the best ways to prevent colon cancer. Find out more here.
Read more →
A new study suggests probiotics and cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, could be a powerful recipe in the fight against bowel cancer.
Read more →
When Kevin and Kay Small experienced identical symptoms at the same time, they both thought that they had eaten too many oysters on holiday.
Read more →
Powerful stories are emerging in our study of bowel cancer sufferers that will highlight symptoms people often ignore. Read more here:
Read more →
The 40-year-old also hoped to raise awareness about the syndrome, which affects between three and five per cent of Kiwis. Read more here:
Read more →
Mat and his wife Kristy setup an Everyday Hero fundraising page and Mat ran the NYC Marathon in Rosco’s memory. Read more here:
Read more →
Craig has shared his story with us after his beloved sister Megs passed away in 2013 from Bowel Cancer. Read more here:
Read more →
For a number of bowel cancer patients, a well-functioning stoma is more preferable than a bowel that is not functioning well. Read more:
Read more →
The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to develop at least seven types of cancer, oncologists warn. Read more here:
Read more →
Scientists say they have ‘completely’ cured bowel cancer using a pioneering form of immunotherapy. Read more here:
Read more →
With everyone’s amazing efforts we managed to fundraise over $18,942.00, which will go a long way to helping us continue our mission.
Read more →
A programme to detect and treat bowel cancer early could help save the lives of Māori who are often reluctant to engage with health services.
Read more →
Research in the UK shows how important an early diagnosis is for simplifying the treatment options as much as possible. Read more:
Read more →
For the Auckland Marathon, we have an amazing team of runners and supporters and among them is a team “Running for Ruth”. Read more:
Read more →
October is a nationwide celebration of cheesemaking. And I’m sure you are all wondering why we are talking about cheese! Read more here:
Read more →
Abnormal number twos can be an early indicator of serious health issues such as bowel cancer or Crohn's disease. Read more here:
Read more →
Jenna is dusting off her running shoes to raise awareness for bowel cancer by running in the ASB Auckland Marathon. Read more here:
Read more →
New Zealand Cancer Society medical director Chris Jackson agreed it was an exciting area of emerging research. Read more here:
Read more →
This year the team at Cottonsoft in Auckland baked cakes and their colleagues at the Dunedin site decided to hold a Pizza-Off … yummy!
Read more →
It might be perceived as an older person’s illness, but Adele Kinghan was fit, healthy, and 25 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Read more →
Demand for colonoscopies could put the national bowel screening programme at risk if participants were given full test results. Read more:
Read more →
CANGO are asking all political parties to commit to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship. Read more:
Read more →
A big shout out to the Papakura Sea Eagles Rugby League Club for their generous donation of $3,000 to Bowel Cancer New Zealand!
Read more →
Bowel cancer kills 1200 kiwis a year. For men its as common as prostate cancer, for women, as common as breast cancer. Read more:
Read more →
After five years of trialing and planning, New Zealand starts to see bowel screening introduced to the wider population this month.
Read more →
National bowel-screening programme will begin its roll out in the Wairarapa and Hutt Valley. Find out more here:
Read more →
The 39-year-old Christchurch mother was checked by her GP, who found nothing but referred her for a colonoscopy. Read more:
Read more →
Canterbury Charity Hospital and St George’s Hospital are offering a free clinic to help diagnose bowel cancer. Read more:
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ are delighted that Trade Me are on board to help us raise awareness for our annual Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Read more →
It could have been so easy to ignore it, to think the pain would have cleared in a day or two. Read more here:
Read more →
This week is National Volunteer Week and the theme for this year is “Live, laugh, share — Volunteer” or “Kia ringa hora: Me mahi tūao.”
Read more →
I had the colonoscopy and the Dr broke to me the news that I had bowel cancer and I was to see him at his surgery the next day.
Read more →
We are super stoked that we have totally SMASHED our goal of fundraising $50,000 at the recent Saint Clair Vineyard Half. Read more:
Read more →
Auckland woman Kim Girbin reported stomach pains to her GP for three years before a shock diagnosis of terminal bowel cancer in June.
Read more →
Bowel Cancer NZ executive member Sarah Derrett talks with Kirsty Wing and Natalie Reynolds about their experiences with bowel cancer.
Read more →
In August 2014 I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, which had spread to lymph nodes up the left hand side of my body to my neck.
Read more →
“Today’s announcement will begin to turn around our world-worst bowel cancer death rates”, says Sarah Derrett. Read more here:
Read more →
Doctors are calling for the Government to announce plans for a staged rollout of nationwide bowel cancer screening in this month’s Budget.
Read more →
At 33 weeks pregnant with her second child, the last thing a young Feilding mother expected was to be diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Read more →
Researchers estimated about 12 percent of New Zealand deaths from cancer within five years of diagnosis could be avoided. Read more here:
Read more →
We are calling on the Prime Minister to adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID.
Read more →
The Cancer Society says the Government should implement the proposed national bowel cancer screening programme. Read more here:
Read more →
The 35-year-old is way outside the screening age band, had no family history and a healthy, active lifestyle. Read more here:
Read more →
Bowel Cancer New Zealand believes screening using sigmoidoscopy is a distraction from the pressing need for a national screening program.
Read more →
A woman who biked right through chemotherapy will take on one of off-road cycling’s ultimate challenges – the Karapoti Classic.
Read more →