University of Otago, Wellington, Department of Public Health Dr Viliami Puloka. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Tongans dying ‘unnecessarily’
Tongans are very motivated when it comes to looking after their health, yet many are dying "unnecessarily" from bowel cancer, a new study shows.
Lead researcher and University of Otago (Wellington) public health researcher Dr Viliami Puloka said the National Bowel Screening Programme was failing to deliver screening equitably to Pacific New Zealanders, but there were ways to improve it.
In 2021, two discussion focus groups asked Tongan-born New Zealanders over the age of 60 how the programme could be made more effective and equitable.
Researchers also talked to four Pacific experts who worked for the screening programme.
The research, independently funded by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, found participants overwhelmingly supported a "by Tongan, for Tongan" approach to screening, Dr Puloka said.
"Many Tongans die unnecessarily from bowel cancer because the programme, while available, isn’t accessible to them.
"Taking a Tongan approach was recommended by all the participants and experts involved in the study."
He said only 35% of Tongan people were screened, compared with 58% of New Zealanders overall, and Pacific peoples were 60% more likely to die from bowel cancer than New Zealanders of European heritage.
"It was important for us to understand what the road blocks are and how to empower people.
"Tongans stressed the collective nature of their society and the need to deliver the programme to the community — something that would only really be effective from a Tongan provider."
He said the programme could be delivered equitably if there was "the will to do so".
"What is required is courage and the political will to shift the power and resources necessary to ensure equitable outcomes."
The recently announced lowering of the age at which bowel screening starts to 50 for Pacific peoples was an essential step in increasing the accessibility of the programme, he said.
But it did not take away the need to reimagine the programme from a Tongan and a Pacific perspective.
While the study focused on the Tongan community, Dr Puloka said the findings might also provide valuable insights into the needs of other Pacific peoples.
