April 1, 2025

Pictured: Jackie Robertson (left) and Rachael Ferguson (right)

When Jackie Robertson was told she had stage 4 bowel cancer, she was 46, fit, and healthy. A marathon runner, horse rider, and devoted mum to her 13-year-old son Zac, she never imagined her symptoms – an upset tummy, blood in the toilet – could be anything more than haemorrhoids.

She felt blindsided. Alone. 

Then, she met Rachael. 

Rachael Ferguson was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at just 32, during prenatal testing. A vibrant early childhood teacher and now a Bowel Cancer NZ ambassador, Rachael had already launched a petition to lower the national screening age, which gained nearly 13,000 signatures. 

The two women connected through social media and quickly found solidarity and strength in each other. Now, they’re standing side by side – not just as advocates, but as friends – calling on the government to take further action and lower the screening age to 45. 

Their peaceful demonstration will take place outside Parliament on Tuesday 20 May at 11am. 

The Current Screening Age – and What’s Next

New Zealand’s free bowel screening programme currently starts at age 60. Prime minister, Christopher Luxon pledged in 2023 that if elected, his government would prioritize matching Australia’s bowel cancer screening age from day one. However, two years on, the govt. has only reduced the screening age by 2 years to 58.  

Aotearoa has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world and survival outcomes for Kiwis lag far behind other countries. International evidence and local data both point to 45 as the most impactful threshold. While lowering the screening age to 58 is a positive step, New Zealanders will still experience 400 excess bowel cancer deaths every year compared to Australia.  

Join the Movement – In Wellington or Online 

Rachael and Jackie’s stories are powerful reminders that bowel cancer doesn’t discriminate by age. 

This demonstration continues the momentum of Rachael’s petition, which is now under review by the Health Select Committee thanks to collective community pressure and the overturning of an initial delay. 

Bowel Cancer NZ is proud to support Jackie and Rachael’s call for change, and we remain committed to working constructively with the government to improve bowel cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. 

If you’re in Wellington, join them outside Parliament on 20 May at 11am. If you can’t be there in person, help spread their message online – every voice counts. 

Information and images sourced from the NZ Herald