A huge new health initiative will see Kiwis screened for the first time for one of New Zealand's biggest killers.
New Zealand has the highest rate of colon cancer in the world.
More than 2500 New Zealand are diagnosed each year and 1200 lose
their lives.
Doctors have long argued that the country has been too slow to
bring in a simple test to screen for it.
"We're lagging behind and in a country that has such a high rate of bowel cancer this seems a bit ludicrous," says Dr Peter Dady, Cancer Specialist.
After three reports and eight years of little action, the government has announced plans to fast-track the screening process.
"I'm fully satisfied this should proceed, and that I'm wanting to put this on a fast track to ensure we get the piloting done as soon as practically possible and move as quickly as we can to full screening," says Health Minister David Cunliffe.
It's news that has taken doctors by surprise.
"I'm delighted to see some action," says Michael Finlay, doctor.
The decision could save hundreds of lives each year.
"Estimates are (that) a good programme may reduce the death rate from 15 to 30%," says Dady.
France, the UK and Australia already screen with a simple do-it-yourself test for those aged 55 or over; a bowel sample is taken at home then sent to a lab and tested for the presence of blood - a key sign of cancer.
Bowel cancer patient Shirley Jordan welcomes it.
"I had a brother who died of it because he left it too long. It saves your life, it's very important," warns Jordan.
Those who test positive would go on to have an investigative procedure called a colonoscopy.
Doctors say getting enough extra staff for the screening must be the top priority.
"Presently we don't have enough pathologists to check the test and we don't have enough colonoscopists to actually check the person who has a positive test so they're two very key issues," says Finlay.
Cunliffe agrees that money needs to be spent on manpower.
