Bowel Screening Update: February 2020
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As it approaches its second anniversary, the Southern DHB’s National Bowel Screening Programme continues to make a positive difference to the lives of many local residents.
To date, the programme has led to the diagnoses of 153 cancers and well over 1100 cases of polyps.
Throughout Southern, 5% of residents who complete their tests return a positive result. Of these, 8% are later determined to have cancer.
Local participation continues to exceed the national target of 60%. The most recent figures from the Ministry of Health show a Southern participation rate of 73% overall, with 74% for Māori and 60% for Pasifika residents.
The Southern programme marks its second anniversary in April.