To help promote the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley regional bowel, breast and cervical screening programmes over the next 12 months, the Hurricanes and the Poua have joined forces with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
Players from both teams will feature in promotions encouraging people to have regular screening and explaining why this is important.
The Hurricanes are currently harnessing their strong whānau values to create a video prompting people to do the bowel screening test as ‘screening saves lives’.
Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in Aotearoa. Bowel screening helps find bowel cancer early, when it can often be successfully treated. The free National Bowel Screening Programme is available every two years for people aged 60–74. A bowel screening test kit is sent to your home, and it’s quick and easy to do.
While the test can save your life, people can be unaware, unconvinced or uncomfortable talking about bowel health. It is hoped the promotional video, featuring Ruben Love, Riley Higgins and Pasilio Tosi, with a play on 'don't forget your kit' helps normalise doing the bowel screening test. The message from the team is ‘Just do it, and post your test back as soon as you can.’ We want you here to support us for many, many games to come!’.
Jamie Duncan, Group Director of Operations - Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley - Hospital & Specialist Services says the involvement of the Hurricanes and Poua teams in raising awareness of cancer screening is an opportunity to spread the word across our region that 'screening saves lives'.
"We're hoping that with the help of these sporting heroes, and having our screening teams at some of the home games, more people in our communities (who are eligible) will register for and participate in bowel, breast and cervical screening - not just for themselves but for their whānau too".
For more information about bowel screening, go to timetobowelscreen.nz, call 0800 924 432, or email [email protected]
