Significant increase in bowel screening participation in Mataura

Mataura residents are participating in the Southern DHB’s National Bowel Screening Programme in increasing numbers, after a series of public awareness initiatives in the area since March.

In the months since the awareness initiatives began, participation in Mataura has been an outstanding 73%. This contributed to an elevated participation rate of 64% for the town in the first year of the programme – the year to April 2019 – compared to just 48% for the period of April to December 2018.

“We are absolutely delighted with this response, and would like to thank the people of Mataura for taking the message on board and helping to share it with others in their community,” says Programme Manager, Emma Bell.

The awareness drive included a poster campaign in local businesses, organisations and rugby clubs, live broadcasts with The Hits Southland and Hokonui radio stations, and local media coverage.

In addition, Mataura pastor, Reverend Tau Ben-Unu, shared his story of receiving a bowel cancer diagnosis as a result of bowel screening, and his subsequent successful surgery to remove a cancerous growth.

“The screening test meant we found the cancer early,” he says. “I didn’t need any other treatment at all after the operation, so I was very fortunate. It’s a great feeling that I can now put it behind me.”

The Southern DHB National Bowel Screening Programme is free for those aged 60-74 who are eligible for publicly-funded health care. In its first year, to April 2019, it detected 68 cases of bowel cancer and 737 cases of polyps, which can develop into cancer over time.

“We know the bowel screening programme is having a positive impact on so many lives and we would dearly love the remaining 27% of eligible Mataura participants to take part,” says Emma Bell. “We encourage those who have taken the test to talk about it with their friends, and to let them know the test is quick, easy and clean to do.”

According to the Ministry of Health, people diagnosed with early stage bowel cancer who receive treatment early have a 90% chance of long-term survival.

“We know sometimes people put off doing the test because they are scared of getting a positive result, but early diagnosis increases your chances of having straightforward and successful treatment.”

If anyone has misplaced the test they received, they can request a replacement kit by calling freephone 0800 924 432.