Critical Failures in Bowel Cancer Diagnosis

Two distressing incidents have recently come to our attention in two separate articles published within hours of each other. It highlights the significant shortcomings in the diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer and underscores the immense pressure our healthcare system is under.

In one case, a woman in Whangārei lost her life after a radiologist’s failure to report key abnormalities in her CT scan delayed her bowel cancer diagnosis. Despite severe symptoms, the radiologist’s initial report noted no obvious cancer.

Weeks later, when the woman’s condition worsened, the scan was reviewed, and the previously missed abnormality was detected. Unfortunately, by then, it was too late. The coroner found she had died of septicaemia due to a perforated bowel which had become obstructed by a tumour.

In another case, a woman’s diagnosis was delayed by seven months due to multiple failures at Waikato Hospital. Initially, despite a history of rectal bleeding and a family history of colorectal cancer, a sigmoidoscopy failed to detect a tumour growing in her bowel.

Over the following months, her symptoms worsened, yet the necessary follow-up care was delayed. It wasn’t until she sought private care that the tumour was finally discovered, by which time the cancer had already spread to her lungs.

These cases reflect broad systemic issues in our health system that can have life-threatening consequences for patients. Bowel Cancer NZ is committed to highlighting these failures and advocating for urgent improvements in healthcare practices.

We urge immediate action to address these critical gaps in our healthcare system to ensure that all patients receive the timely, accurate diagnosis and care they deserve. No one should have to endure the suffering these patients and their whānau have faced.