Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust Blog

Keytruda beats chemo for first-line treatment against bowel cancer

Apr 03, 2020

Apr 03, 2020

Unfunded immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, has beaten standard chemotherapy in a head to head test to delay cancer progression showing its viability to be used as a first-line treatment for MSI-H bowel cancer patients around the world.

Read More (2 minute read)

Sisters shave their head for Nana

Apr 01, 2020

Apr 01, 2020

With New Zealand in lockdown, two sisters have found a unique way to to keep themselves occupied and pay tribute to their Nana at the same time.

Read More (1 minute read)

COVID-19: Alert level 4 what does this mean for cancer patients?

Mar 25, 2020

Mar 25, 2020

New Zealand is preparing to go into lockdown tonight at 11.59pm after Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced she was raising the alert level and imposing a one-month country wide shut down.

Read More (4 minute read)

What is Lynch Syndrome?

Mar 22, 2020

Mar 22, 2020

The general population of New Zealand has a 6% chance of contracting bowel cancer in their lifetime but Lynch Syndrome sufferers have a rare hereditary condition that increases their lifetime risk of bowel cancer by up to 50% before the age of 70.

Read More (5 minute read)

Coronavirus: What does it mean for cancer patients?

Mar 13, 2020

Mar 13, 2020

The World Health Organisation classed COVID-19 as a pandemic, highlighting the importance of planning and preparation in response to the virus, especially for those at high risk including cancer patients and those with low immune systems.

Read More (8 minutes to read)

26-year-old Tegan Hollier: "I don't feel sick..." a patient story

Feb 24, 2020

Feb 24, 2020

Our brave Ambassador for Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust, 26 year old Tegan Hollier (aka Chicken), from Massey in West Auckland hadn't noticed any symptoms only a pain under her left rib which prompted her to visit her Doctor. This is her story...

Read More (4 minute read)

The new Cancer Control Agency is listening and wants change

Feb 22, 2020

Feb 22, 2020

Our CEO, Georgina Mason, was invited to attend the new Cancer Control Agency Hui to offer direction and help them shape engagement between cancer patients and their advocates yesterday.

Read More (2 minute read)

"They have discharged him and sent him home to die - but there is still hope oversees" - a patient story

Feb 21, 2020

Feb 21, 2020

Family friend, Bruce recounts the story of love faith and friendship as he joins a group of people fighting to help raise funds for 44 year old Caleb Taiala to help him beat bowel cancer.

Read More (4 minute read)

MSD removes two year Keytruda cap for NZ patients

Jan 22, 2020

Jan 22, 2020

Merck Sharp and Dohme NZ (MSD NZ) have removed their two year limit on its Keytruda cost-share programme for New Zealand bowel cancer patients.

Read More (1 minute read)

Can Aspirin help reduce bowel cancer?

Jan 09, 2020

Jan 09, 2020

There have been a number of articles pop up on my radar lately around aspirin helping to prevent bowel cancer. But can taking an anti-inflammatory medication regularly be good for you?

Read More (2 minute read)

Charity Achievements

Key Milestones reached by Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust team.

$1.6million

Dollars distributed to help fund vital research and providing better patient outcomes

188

Bowel cancer survivors rehabilitated after gruelling treatment helping to reduce cancer re-occurrence

107+

Bowel screening kits provided to Kiwi’s who do not qualify for free public screening to detect bowel cancer early

14

Loving families kept together for longer with help for immunotherapy treatments that help reduce tumours