Science Media Centre

Increasing economic development is linked with growing rates of bowel cancer, but some high-income countries – including New Zealand – seem to be exceptions, according to a global cancer study. Drawing on data from 184 countries, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that rates of bowel cancer increased with levels of […]

The release of a major report on bowel cancer this week has re-ignited debate over nationwide screening for the disease. Bowel cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand, which has the highest rate of both bowel cancer and related deaths in the developed world. Around 1200 New Zealanders die each year from the disease, with […]

A recent study suggests that historical milk-in-schools programmes – similar to the planned initiative announced by Fonterra today – may have played a role in preventing colon cancer in New Zealand. Today dairy cooperative Fonterra announced they will be launching a free milk in schools pilot programme, covering 110 schools in Northland during the first […]

A rabbit virus could hold hope for people suffering with colorectal cancer, say researchers from the University of Otago. The new vaccine therapy uses a modified form of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD), and there are hopes that the approach could be modified to target other cancers, too. An excerpt: (read in full here) “This therapy […]