Early action pays off: UniMed’s at-home bowel-screening kit and why it matters

Staying on top of your health doesn’t have to be complicated,  sometimes it’s as simple as taking ten minutes at home. One of UniMed’s latest Active Benefits makes that easier, offering eligible Members an at-home bowel screening kit designed to help detect early signs of bowel cancer before symptoms appear.

It’s a small step that can have a big impact. Because when it comes to bowel cancer, early detection can be life-saving.

Why screen for bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand,  around 1 in 18 Kiwis will develop it in their lifetime, and many won’t experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages.

The good news? It can often be successfully treated if detected early.

Even if you feel completely well, proactive screening is so important.  A simple, non-invasive test can detect tiny traces of blood that aren’t visible to the eye, often long before anything feels wrong.   Early detection means:

• More treatment options
• Better outcomes
• A much higher chance of cure

Statistics show that when bowel cancer is found early, treatment is far more effective, with around a 90 % long-term survival rate for early-stage diagnoses.

For UniMed policyholders, this early action is now more accessible than ever through their Active Benefits.

Signs and symptoms to look out for

Even though bowel cancer can develop with no symptoms, it’s important to pay attention to changes such as:

• Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) 

• Change of bowel motions/habits that come and go over several weeks 

• Anaemia 

• Severe persistent or periodic abdominal pain 

• A lump or mass in the abdomen 

• Tiredness and loss of weight for no obvious reason. 

If anything feels unusual, lasts longer than a couple of weeks or you are concerned about your bowel health, see your GP right away. 

How early detection made the difference

When UniMed member Irene from Auckland used her at-home screening kit, she didn’t have any symptoms but her result came back positive.

Further testing found a large mass in her rectum that, if left untreated, could have become cancerous. Thanks to the screening, Irene was able to get timely treatment and avoid a much more serious outcome.

“I would like to say thank you for your initiative of the bowel testing kits. I returned a positive result for blood present in the test. Because I have medical insurance with you, I didn’t have to worry about waiting to have an investigation done. I had a colonoscopy today and a large partially obstructive polyp removed. The surgeon said that had it been left, it would have become cancerous. I feel very lucky to have you as my insurer, so again thank you.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that early action really does save lives.

Who can access the bowel screening kit?

You must have had three years of continuous cover under your UniMed Health Plan before this benefit becomes available.

You can only request a free bowel screening kit once every three years.  

• Primary Care
• PrimaryCare Extra
• #Care4u
• Hospital Select - this is comprehensive cover for major unexpected illnesses requiring surgery or hospitalisation.

How to take the next step

If you’re eligible, requesting your bowel screening kit is easy:

1. Check your eligibility via your Member Portal or by confirming your start date.
2. Request your kit — it arrives discreetly at your home.
3. Complete the test using the simple instructions.
4. Send it away for analysis in the prepaid packaging.
5. Review your results and follow up with your GP if needed.

It’s one of the simplest ways to be proactive about your health and it’s included in your UniMed Health Plan (after three years).

A final word from us

At HealthCarePlus, we believe that taking care of your health means staying informed, proactive, and supported not just reacting when something goes wrong.

UniMed’s at-home bowel screening kit is a great example of a practical, easy-to-use tool that supports early detection and empowers you to take charge of your wellbeing.

Think of it as one more way to stay ahead of your health, quietly, conveniently, and from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re eligible, take the step. Your future self will thank you.

Together, we can make prevention a priority - one simple action at a time.

Written by: Alan Sharpe

Alan is a key member of the HealthCarePlus leadership team. With over 30 years experience in marketing and customer service roles he is a passionate advocate for the union movement and HealthCarePlus’s mission to create real, lasting value for their members