This little test could save your life
The National Bowel Screening Programme is free for men and women aged 60 to 74 years who are eligible for publicly-funded healthcare. It aims to save lives by finding bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated.
The test is quick, clean and simple to do. You do it by yourself at home.
If you’re eligible to take part, you will be sent:
• an invitation letter
• a consent form
• a free bowel screening test kit, with instructions on how to use it.
This will happen not long after your 60th birthday.
Done it once? Do it again.
Screening is offered every two years, so if you have done a test before and returned a negative result, you will be offered a second test two years after you did the first one if you are still eligible. Your second test is just as important as the first one.
Haven’t quite gotten there yet?
If you received a test kit in the post in the past two years but didn’t complete it, you will be given another chance to take the test. You will be sent a test kit two years after you were sent the first one if you are still eligible.
Worried about your bowel health?
The programme is for people who do not have any symptoms of bowel cancer. It is a preventative programme that finds bowel cancer at an early stage before you may notice any symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms, such as a change in your normal bowel movements that continues for several weeks or blood in your bowel motion (poo), it is important to seek advice from a doctor who may refer you for a specialist assessment.
If you are aged 60-74 and experiencing symptoms, don’t wait to receive your test kit in the post – see a doctor as soon as you can. The same applies if you are younger than 60, or older than 74.
Please do not hesitate to raise any questions or concerns about this life-saving test with your family doctor, or with a health professional available on the free helpline: 0800 924 432
Prime Minister delivering apology
On Tuesday 12 November, the Prime Minister will deliver a public apology to survivors of abuse in care in Parliament.
You can register your interest to attend the event in Parliament, or if you want to watch it with friends, whānau or a support person you can attend an event at the Due Drops Event Centre in Auckland, Shed 6 in Wellington or the Christchurch Town Hall.
Contact the Crown Response Unit today:
Phone: 0800 717 017 (8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday)
Email: contact@abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz
Registration closes 4.30pm Monday 30 September.
Accommodation, travel and food costs will be covered. Travel assistance will be provided in forms of air travel, petrol vouchers, gift cards, and train, and bus tickets.
Gerda Takes On Te Reo Maori!
This year Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week, is being held from September 16 to 23. It’s an important week encouraging all of Aotearoa to use te reo Māori in everyday life. Similarly, Mahuru Māori promotes speaking and celebrating te reo throughout the month of September.
Over the last couple of years, Gerda, a resident at Diana Isaac Village in Christchurch, has grown her Māori vocabulary by attending the virtual monthly te reo Māori classes offered to Ryman residents. This group learning environment is run by Anita Gill from Te Puna Reo Māori, a Māori online learning provider.
Click read more for the full story.
Stay sun-safe and well-read this spring
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