With one in four New Zealanders diagnosed with some form of disability, cancer screening for people with both physical and intellectual disabilities, can be a lot more challenging than for able-bodied people who may find themselves at higher risk if they are diagnosed too late.
Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust has partnered with Parafed Auckland to help bring more awareness to the disability community focusing on the prevention of bowel cancer specifically for wheelchair users who face daily challenges around bowel health.
In our new section, we explore areas such as:
How paralysis impacts the digestive and bowel systems
Bowel programmes
Constipation
Symptoms of bowel cancer for wheelchair users
Screening for wheelchair users
Parafed Auckland resources and programmes
With special thanks to our BCFT bowel nurse specialist and Continence NZ for their valuable insight.