Hei Āhuru Mōwai Slams Government for Abandoning Māori and Pacific Health in Bowel Screening Announcement

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa is condemning the Government’s decision to not prioritise Māori and Pacific health, reneging on its 2022 commitment to lower the bowel screening age to 50 for these communities. 

This decision halts a crucial step in addressing the rising incidence of bowel cancer among Māori and Pacific peoples.  

Hei Āhuru Mōwai CEO Gary Thompson warns the move will deepen health inequities, leaving Māori and Pacific people without timely access to life-saving screening. 

"Bowel screening detects curable cancers and prevents others by removing precancerous polyps," says Thompson.  

"Most Māori diagnosed with bowel cancer are under the age of 60. In comparison, most non-Māori diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60. These are two very different bowel cancer age profiles. The bowel screen programme must take these differences into account.” 

Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen adds that Māori experience a higher burden of bowel cancer, with incidence rates rising sharply while non-Māori rates decline. 

"More than half of Māori diagnosed with bowel cancer are under 60, compared to a much smaller proportion of non-Māori. Māori are also more likely to die within two years of diagnosis." 

Modelling shows that lowering the screening age to 50 for Māori and Pacific communities would create equal health outcomes for both groups, ensuring similar proportions of diagnosed cancers within the eligible age range.  

This would allow both groups to benefit equally from bowel cancer screening. 

In 2022, the Government promised to extend the screening age to 50 for Māori and Pacific communities to reduce health disparities.  

The Government’s failure to follow through on this commitment, despite evidence showing the benefits, is a stark example of continued neglect for Māori and Pacific health needs. 

“It’s clear the Government has abandoned this priority,” says Dr McKree Jansen.  

“The data shows that screening at age 50 is essential to reducing these inequities, and it's unacceptable for the Government to backtrack on this vital commitment.”