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Courtesy of the Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust.
HRC-funded bowel cancer research
The HRC has supported the largest and most comprehensive study ever undertaken in New Zealand, of the management of colorectal (colon and rectal, also known as “bowel”) cancer (CRC) – the country’s most common cancer.
The project’s Principal Investigator Professor Michael Findlay, director of Cancer Trials New Zealand (CTNZ) and Professor of Oncology at the University of Auckland said: “This study highlights that early detection and increasing the use of chemotherapy could improve outcomes for colorectal cancer in New Zealand.”
The Presentation, Investigation, Pathways, Evaluation and Treatment (PIPER) project, which began in 2011, was funded through a $1 million investment from the HRC and the Ministry of Health. The project is supported by all four cancer networks in New Zealand and has included consumer representation from Bowel Cancer New Zealand. The research is a national collaboration between scientists, universities, hospitals, and clinicians across the country.
HRC Chief Executive Professor Kath McPherson says the knowledge gained from this landmark study will be used by policymakers and clinicians alike to improve the management of colorectal cancer in New Zealand – a disease that each year kills about 1200 New Zealanders, similar to breast and prostate cancer combined.
“Currently the incidence of colorectal cancer in New Zealand is one of the highest in the developed world, and the survival rates are worse than in Australia. This research is crucial to deciding the best way forward to change this – it’s about improving outcomes,” says Professor McPherson.
Government funds roll-out of a national bowel screening programme
The roll-out of a national bowel screening programme is on track to begin in 2017.
Budget 2016 invested $39.3 million over four years for national bowel screening – starting with Hutt Valley and Wairarapa District Health Boards. This will be followed by a progressive roll-out across the country.
Additional funding has also been set aside in contingency to enable the IT support needed for a national screening programme.
“Once fully implemented, the programme is expected to screen over 700,000 people every two years. We know that bowel screening saves lives by detecting cancers at an early stage when they can more easily be treated," says Minister of Health, Dr Jonathan Coleman.
“Around 3,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. The Government is committed to better access to early detection and treatment," he says.
“We have been working towards a national screening programme for some time. This investment builds on the successful Waitemata District Health Board bowel screening pilot, which has been running since 2012.
Once in place, District Health Boards will offer people aged 60 to 74 a bowel screening test every two years. More than 80 per cent of cancers found through the pilot were in those aged 60 to 74. Screening in this range will maximise the number of cancers found while minimising the cases where problems are not found.
In line with international best practice for adoption of screening programmes, a staged approach is planned. Information from the pilot and discussions with the sector have confirmed there will be a sufficient clinical workforce to deliver the additional colonoscopies required for a staged roll-out of a national programme.