There are calls for Māori to be screened earlier for bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in New Zealand. It occurs less frequently in Māori than non-Māori but once diagnosed, Māori are more likely to die from it.
Dr Marty Davis from the Papakura Marae Clinic says he’s concerned about Māori contracting bowel cancer at a younger age than the general population.
“We seem to see that Māori are taking on this cancer earlier than non-Māori and I think that’s significant – it certainly shapes the profile,” he told Marae.
Dr Rawiri Jansen the Clinical Director of National Hauora Coalition says bowel cancer seems to be developing earlier in Māori compared to that of non-Māori by about 10 years.
The current age for free bowel cancer screening is 60.
Dr Davis says he sees many Māori presenting signs of the cancer before the screening age.
Dr Jansen believes the current age for the national screening programme is producing inequality among the population and he along with Dr Davis is calling for the screening age to be lowered.
Marae spoke to both doctors about what should be done to prevent inequality in treating bowel cancer in New Zealand.
Watch the full interview above.
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