National Bowel Screening Programme coming to Waikato
Kia ora whānau,
Did you know that bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand? Around 3000 of us will be diagnosed and 1200 will die of it each year.
But catching it early can save lives and all it takes to find it is a quick and easy test you can do at home.
The National Bowel Screening Programme is being rolled out across the Waikato region with the aim of reducing the devastating impact bowel cancer has on our communities.
If you're aged between 60 and 74, you will receive a test kit in the mail every two years around the time of your birthday. If that's on an even day (2nd, 4th, 6th) of the month you will receive a kit this year while those on an odd day (e.g 1st, 3rd, 5th) will get theirs in the programme's second year.
The test comes with clear instructions and will help detect early warning signs of bowel cancer. It is free for people aged 60-74 who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.
If you're not in the screening age range and you have a family history of bowel cancer, you could be entitled to a colonoscopy. Talk to your GP for more information.
If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, don’t wait for screening, talk to your doctor now. Common symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
• a change in your normal bowel habit that continues for several weeks
• blood in your bowel motion.
Although these symptoms are usually caused by other conditions, it’s important to get them checked.
We're encouraging those in the eligible age group to complete the test and send it back, and for whānau to talk to their loved ones about the importance of getting tested.
Do it for you, do it for your whānau.
For more information, visit the Time to Screen website, call 0800 924 432 or talk to your doctor.
Can you crack Today’s neighbourhood conundrum?
Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing, I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?
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Poll: Do you think the idea will work?
The Government will today unveil a radical new plan to www.waikatotimes.co.nz...
|underwrite construction of new private houses|, as high interest rates and an economic downturn make it tough for developers to get finance for new projects.
The new time-limited scheme is designed to de-risk developments, making finance easier to obtain for developers to start building. Developers often have to pre-sell a proportion of dwellings in any development in order to secure finance, which has become much more difficult in the current economic downturn.
Do you think the idea will work? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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33.3% Yes
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23.8% Not sure
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42.9% No
Poll: Do you think Waikato needs an agency to grow its economy?
Waikato may be getting a new ‘go-to’ body for building the region’s economy.
The previous economic development agency, Te Waka, shut down earlier this year, saying the “passionate advocates” no longer had the resources to do what they’d planned.
Do you think Waikato needs an agency? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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22.7% Yes
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13.6% Maybe
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63.6% No
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