July 29, 2021
Bowel Cancer New Zealand is launching their Never Too Young campaign for the fourth year,
increasingly concerned by the number of young people misdiagnosed or on long waitlists to access
diagnostic bowel screening.
Bowel cancer survivor Chelsea Halliwell, the organiser of the campaign and a Bowel Cancer NZ
ambassador, says young New Zealanders are still slipping through the cracks of a severely
underfunded health system.
Halliwell says, “I am absolutely devastated that we are still hearing of young people like Jo
McKenzie-McLean, 43 and Hope Benns 42 who, despite seeking help for their bowel cancer
symptoms, were turned down for diagnostic bowel screening because they were considered too
young.”
Professor Frank Frizelle, a Bowel Cancer NZ medical advisor says, “Bowel cancer is increasingly
prevalent in younger people. In New Zealand, research has shown that among patients aged under
50 years, the incidence of distal colonic cancer in men increased by 14 per cent per decade, while
the incidence of rectal cancer in men increased by 18 per cent and that in women by 13 per cent.
“Within the next decade, it is estimated that 1 in 10 colon cancers and 1 in 4 rectal cancers will be
diagnosed in adults younger than 50 years. As a result, health professionals should consider when
seeing individual patients, the need to do further tests, no matter the age of the patients, should
they present with rectal bleeding, change of bowel habit and stool consistency.”
Every year, more than 350 people under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer. This year the Never
Too Young campaign will highlight the patients and families behind these numbers through a viral
social media campaign.
“We need people to understand that bowel cancer can strike at any age and that sometimes you need
to advocate for yourself because, in many places, our health system isn’t up to it. So, if you have
symptoms, get to your GP immediately, and make sure you get some answers,” says Halliwell.
Bowel Cancer New Zealand general manager Rebekah Heal agrees.
“The Never Too Young campaign drives home how important it is for everyone of any age to know
the symptoms of bowel cancer. These include bleeding from the bottom; a change of bowel habit;
any lumps in the stomach; fatigue or tiredness; anemia and unexplained weight loss.”
The campaign runs entirely with pro bono support and features ten brave young people who all have
had bowel cancer. Sadly, four have passed away since the campaign first ran.
Bowel Cancer New Zealand encourages avoiding ‘sitting on your symptoms’ through open discussion
with medical professionals who have seen it all before and seeking a second opinion if still
concerned.
BCNZ Media Release – Never Too Young – 29 July 2021 Final (002)