Screening for bowel cancer involves a test for people who do not have any obvious symptoms of the disease.  

The aim is to find polyps or to find cancer early when it is easier to treat and cure.

BowelScreen Aotearoa™ uses an immunochemical faecal occult blood test.  

The Australian designed and manufactured test is clinically proven, sensitive and reliable.  

The test is -

  • Simple
  • Non-invasive
  • Highly accurate
  • Requires no diet or medication restrictions
  • Completed in the privacy of your own home


The BowelScreen Aotearoa™ test and accredited pathology services are provided by Enterix Australia (also known as the InSure® bowel screening service).

Ask your pharmacist about BowelScreen Aotearoa™ and general bowel health today!
 

 

What do I do if I get a positive result?

A positive test result does not confirm the presence of bowel cancer but it does indicate the presence of blood that may be invisible to the naked eye in your bowel motion.  

You should speak to your doctor who will initiate further investigation.  This may include a colonoscopy.

If caught in time, 75% of bowel cancers can be cured.

email this page

Bowel Screening Pilot

Please note: Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB) has been selected to run the Ministry for Health's four year bowel screening pilot. 

People aged 50 to 74 years who live in the DHB area will be eligible to take part in the screening programme.

Eligible people will receive a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the mail and are encouraged to participate in the Programme Pilot.

For more information about the Ministry for Health's bowel screening pilot, please email bowelcancerteam@moh.govt.nz 

People who are ineligible to participate in the bowel screening pilot can undergo annual screening through BowelScreen Aotearoa™ by visiting their local participating pharmacy.