CareHQ adds an advanced bowel screening service to support early detection in younger New Zealanders

SECTOR UPDATE - CareHQ 

National telehealth provider CareHQ has expanded its offering to include bowel screening, in collaboration with accredited clinical laboratory IGENZ.

Launched to coincide with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, CareHQ CEO Brett Butler says the new service provides New Zealanders with an option to proactively check their bowel health before becoming eligible for the national screening programme.

For New Zealanders in their 30s and 40s, bowel cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and our rates are increasing faster than most other places in the world¹.

“Our screening test is non-invasive, convenient, and highly accurate. When bowel changes are detected early, treatment outcomes and survival rates improve significantly1,” says Butler.

Unlike traditional faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) that primarily look for traces of blood in the stool, the CareHQ screening kit utilises advanced molecular technology to identify early biological changes. The test detects specific markers in cells naturally shed from the lining of the bowel, which can indicate the presence of precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer - often before any physical symptoms or bleeding occur.

CareHQ Clinical Director Dr Firdaus Aziz emphasises this technology is a tool for proactive health management rather than a replacement for diagnostic procedures.

“This service is specifically designed for asymptomatic individuals - those who feel well but want to be proactive about their health or have reached a milestone age where they want extra peace of mind,” says Dr. Aziz. 

“It is not intended for people currently experiencing symptoms, who should consult a GP immediately. Because CareHQ is a national telehealth provider, we offer wraparound services to everyone across New Zealand. We work closely with patients and their regular GPs to ensure any positive results are followed up with the appropriate clinical pathways, including referrals for colonoscopies where necessary.”

The bowel screening service is now available to the public. It can be purchased directly via carehq.co.nz or through the MySouthernCross app for eligible members.

Source: CareHQ media release

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