Every day in New Zealand, nine people are diagnosed with bowel Cancer and three of them die. However, bowel cancer is a highly treatable disease if detected and diagnosed early.
In the past year, with the support of Pacific Radiology, the New Zealand Gut Foundation worked together with the University of Otago and the University of Canterbury to undertake a qualitative South Island-based research study aimed at both identifying and removing barriers to the early diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer and other gut-related diseases.
General Manager of the NZ Gut Foundation, Margaret Fitzgerald, notes that Gut diseases such as bowel cancer, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome affect many people around New Zealand and are often not diagnosed in time for effective and appropriate treatment.
"We know that far too many people NZ wide are suffering more than they need to because either their symptoms and or diagnoses are not being determined early enough. The taboo around bowel movements (Poo) talks and the lack of knowledge from patients make that disease even more threatening."
By focusing on the South Island, the GUT Foundation’s qualitative research has been highly effective in broadening understanding of people’s knowledge of bowel/gut symptoms as well as highlighting some of the barriers people faced in gaining an early and potentially life-saving diagnosis. The research identified key barriers such as people’s unease at talking about their “poo” and simply not knowing about diagnostic testing options available to them, or where and who to talk to. Margaret Fitzgerald notes that,
"Describing symptoms to a doctor could be awkward, especially at first. Many participants commented that bowel function wasn’t the easiest thing to talk about. Getting over the awkwardness and finding the specific language for bowel motions was difficult."
As a result of the research findings, the NZ Gut Foundation have developed a creative and engaging nationwide year-long campaign, titled “Review your Poo” centered around a travelling port-a-loo.
Pacific Radiology is proud to support the New Zealand Gut Foundation in their ongoing research project and initiatives such as this current gut-health campaign, aimed at both identifying and removing barriers to the early diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer.
Dr. Adrian Balasingam, Chief Medical Officer for Pacific Radiology notes the importance of increasing awareness amongst patients and doctors of using a CT Colonography as a highly effective and more readily available diagnostic and screening procedure for bowel cancer.
"Gaining access to timely diagnosis can be lifesaving. If we as a radiology community can help our surgical and gastroenterology colleagues by taking some of the pressure off burgeoning colonoscopy waitlists, then let’s do it."
Read more about the campaign here on know your normal, know your options
