"Health services in New Zealand still seem to be an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff rather than preventative."
A 43-year-old Dunedin mother of four with a family history of colon cancer is angry she is being put at an increased risk of early death because she is one of many who are being refused colonoscopies at Dunedin Hospital.
After her mother, several siblings and other close family members developed colon cancer, the New Zealand Cancer registry recommended she, her four sisters and other cousins be screened every two years.
"Two of us live in Dunedin. We were seen by a gastroenterologist who agreed [with the recommendation] and we were put on the two-yearly screening programme.
"We both received two colonoscopies. I believe that we have both had one episode where a very tiny benign polyp was removed."However, the pair were due for screening again last year, but were informed that due to constraints, they would now be screened every five years instead of the recommended two years.
"We were to get in touch if there were any problems.
"In May [this year], I developed abdominal pain and had abnormal blood tests, change in bowel habit and some weight loss. It was recommended that a colonoscopy be done to be sure it was not bowel cancer."
She said it took more than a month for Dunedin Hospital to tell her that her colonoscopy request was declined.
There was further discussion, the request was resubmitted, but again after at least a month, it was declined.
"While it is likely that it is not bowel cancer, the only definitive way to be sure is via colonoscopy. For me, there is still that niggle in the back of my mind: 'What if it is?'
"It is incredible that with a strong family history, and then with the development of symptoms, the request can still be declined."She said it seemed "crazy" to reduce screening as she crept closer to the age her uncle and mother were diagnosed with bowel cancer.
"Let's face it. No-one particularly wants to undergo this procedure, but if it provides the possibility of early detection and the prevention of a worse-case scenario, then one would have it done."
"Surely, it is more cost-effective to do screening and remove any pre-cancerous polyps than pay for surgery and other associated interventions once cancer has been established."
A 61-year-old woman who had bowel cancer 13 years ago and has had episodes of rectal bleeding is concerned at suggestions she may have to wait until 2016 for a colonoscopy.
Having already had bowel cancer, and a mother who had bowel cancer in her 50s before dying aged 62, she expected she would have been a higher priority.
Since her original cancer diagnosis, she had also had polyps removed which showed dysplasia (changes in the cells which may progress to cancer).
About six weeks ago, a hospital surgeon had suggested she have a colonoscopy because of bleeding episodes in the past 18 months.
She has received verbal advice that it could be delayed until 2016, but is still awaiting written confirmation.
Several other Dunedin residents emailed the Otago Daily Times with similar experiences.
However, Dunedin resident George Rolton had nothing but praise for Dunedin Hospital.
Having been irradiated in the Christmas Island hydrogen bomb tests in 1957, he became worried in June last year when his bowels started "misbehaving themselves".
His doctor referred him and he received a colonoscopy in August.
A subsequent gastroscopy in October last year found his indigestion tablets were causing dyspepsia and a change of medication has fixed the problem.
"Whilst my symptoms turned out not to be the cancerous type, I found that the timeline and procedures and treatment from this department reasonably satisfactory".
Colin Saunders, of Dunedin, also praised the hospital.
He had a colonoscopy on October 5 - two weeks after first visiting his GP.
"I was admitted to hospital three days later and had my operation the next day where part of my bowel was removed.
"I have nothing but praise for everybody involved in my care. Thanks to their prompt response, I have the best possible chance of a cancer-free future.
"I do not believe I would have received better or quicker treatment had I paid privately."
