March 4, 2025

Bowel Cancer Chief Executive, Peter Huskinson pictured outside the health minister’s Auckland policy office.

Hon Simeon Brown invited Bowel Cancer New Zealand to meet and discuss how to combat New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.  The charity outlined how New Zealand could extend screening protection to all Kiwis from age 45 in line with the ‘day one’ election pledge made by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in October 2023.    

Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive, Peter Huskinson said

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to present a workable way forward.  The current late starting age – screening from 60 – means that one third of all Kiwis under 75 who get Bowel Cancer, and half of Māori, are not protected by screening.  Health New Zealand is due to implement other changes later this year which will free up substantial ongoing capacity for screening and surveillance, creating a window of opportunity to act.” 

 Under Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s proposals 12 in every 13 Kiwis would be eligible for protection ahead of the age they are likely to develop the disease, with Māori & Pasifika equally protected through a ten year earlier starting age.  Research shows this will annually prevent more than 350 Bowel Cancer cases, avoid over 75 cancer deaths, and detect over 75 more cancers at an earlier more treatable stage. 

 “It was a constructive meeting” said Huskinson.  “We are grateful to the Minister for prioritising time with us in his first few weeks in post.  The sooner we can reduce the starting age, the sooner we can save lives.   Twenty-three Kiwis are dying every week from Bowel Cancer – almost half of those deaths are preventable.”   

Bowel cancer NZ Chairman Stefan Corbett agrees.  Stefan was 47 years old when diagnosed with stage 3 Bowel cancer and could have been diagnosed two years earlier if screening had started at 45. 

“Whānau devastated by this disease do not have time to wait.  The new Minister now has the chance to deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise and commit to an implementation date.  Once this is in place, we will continue to work closely with policy makers and health sector leaders to make it happen”