Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa
In May 2013, Cottonsoft became a proud sponsor and supporter of Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa (BBCA). The charity, founded in 2010 by a group of people affected by bowel cancer, with the support of clinicians, is committed to improving bowel cancer awareness among the general public and health professionals. The charity aims to provide clear, up-to-date information about the disease, symptoms, what to do if diagnosed and treatments.
The long term partnership with BBCA will see a collaborative approach to projects, including spreading the awareness message during the charity´s 2013 Bowel Cancer Awareness Week (3-9 June) and going forward. Cottonsoft shares BBCA´s aim to raise awareness of the disease with frank discussion, education and drive to improve the screening process across the country.
The statistics on bowel cancer in New Zealand alone are startling:
- Each year, more than 1,200 New Zealand lives are lost to bowel cancer and almost 3,000 New Zealanders are newly diagnosed – making it our most common cancer affecting both men and women.
- Bowel cancer is also New Zealand´s second most deadly cancer. Currently, New Zealanders diagnosed with bowel cancer have only a 55% chance of surviving more than five years. BBCA believes that this could increase, conservatively, to a 75% chance with improved screening and treatment, as well as heightened public awareness of symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis. If there are delays in diagnosis or treatment, the cancer can spread and chances of survival are reduced.
Watch this space for further for information about Cottonsoft´s partnership with BBCA and how we are getting behind the cause.
For more information on BBCA and how you can donate to the cause, please visit www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz.