By Martin JohnstonSeven New Zealand regions have bowel cancer rates statistically above the national average. Bowel cancer is the most commonly reported cancer in New Zealand, with around 3000 new cases and 1200 deaths each year. The charity Bowel Cancer NZ, which said it had been calling for greater transparency, welcomed the commission's data release. The commission said its data showed two-thirds of people were alive two years after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. When the data is adjusted to remove the effect of varying age structures between regions -- bowel cancer risk increases with age -- South Canterbury and Otago-Southland, remained above average.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 30, 2016 00:34 UTC