From Monday, New Zealand will lower the starting age for free bowel screening from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island set to follow in March 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced. This move is part of a broader government effort to reduce bowel cancer mortality rates by aligning the country’s screening practices with those in Australia.
“Earlier this year, I confirmed the Government’s commitment to lowering the bowel screening age to match Australia, so that fewer New Zealanders die from bowel cancer,” Mr. Brown stated. “The first step is lowering the eligibility age from 60 to 58. This means thousands more people will now have access to lifesaving testing, giving them the best chance of having bowel cancer detected early, when it can often be successfully treated.”
Impact of the Screening Age Reduction
The reduction in the screening age is expected to have a significant impact. In the first year alone, 122,000 people will become eligible for free screening. Over the next 25 years, this change is projected to prevent 771 bowel cancer cases and save 566 lives. People in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island will be eligible for the lower starting age immediately, with those in the central and lower North Island following in March 2026. All newly eligible individuals nationwide will be invited for free screening by March 2027.
This initiative is a crucial step towards aligning New Zealand’s screening age with Australia. The government aims to further lower the age, contingent on building sufficient colonoscopy capacity.
Introduction of the FIT for Symptomatic Pathway
In tandem with lowering the screening age, the government is rolling out a new nationwide pathway called the FIT for Symptomatic test. This non-invasive home test uses a stool sample to detect traces of blood, an early indicator of bowel cancer. The test allows individuals of any age with symptoms to quickly assess their risk without waiting for a colonoscopy.
The FIT for Symptomatic pathway has already been launched in Waikato and will soon be introduced in Counties Manukau, Waitematā, and Hawke’s Bay, with a nationwide rollout planned for next year. “This will free up specialist capacity by prioritising colonoscopies for those at highest risk and reducing unnecessary referrals, leading to shorter wait times, faster diagnoses, and more resources to expand screening,” Mr. Brown explained.
The FIT for Symptomatic pathway is expected to reduce colonoscopy referrals by 30 to 60 percent, significantly increasing capacity to support both symptomatic patients and the extended screening program.
Expanding Diagnostic Capacity
To further increase capacity, the government has announced a diagnostic uplift package that will deliver 7,100 extra colonoscopies through to July 2026. This initiative aims to meet rising demand and ensure timely treatment. Additionally, a $19 million investment will target increasing screening rates among populations with historically low participation. This includes promotional campaigns, new online resources, and easier test kit returns through community laboratories.
Mr. Brown emphasized the government’s commitment to further lowering the bowel screening starting age as quickly as possible. Erasmus University is currently undertaking modeling to support this goal. “Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer. By lowering the screening age, rolling out the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, expanding diagnostic capacity, and investing in targeted initiatives, we are taking action that will save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of families from losing loved ones too soon,” he concluded.
Looking Ahead
The announcement comes at a time when healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with the need to balance resource allocation with increasing demand for services. New Zealand’s proactive approach to bowel cancer screening could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.
As the government moves forward with these initiatives, the focus will remain on building infrastructure and capacity to support the expanded screening programs. The success of these efforts will likely hinge on continued investment and innovation in healthcare delivery, ensuring that early detection and treatment remain accessible to all New Zealanders.
