In a New Zealand first, CottonSofts is spreading awareness for the risks associated with bowel cancer by printing symptoms on the back of its packaging. CottonSoft has been a key sponsor of Bowel Cancer New Zealand for nine years and hopes the innovation will serve as a regular reminder for Kiwis to get checked at the first signs.
New Zealand has one of the worst rates of bowel cancer in the world, so symptom recognition is essential. Over 3,000 Kiwis are diagnosed, and 1,200 die from the disease annually. Of the diagnoses, 350 are people under 50 years old, and it is estimated that one in every 18 Kiwis will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.
The good news is that more than 90 percent of cases can be treated successfully if caught early, and it is never too young to get the symptoms checked.
“This is an important initiative by CottonSofts to encourage Kiwis to learn the symptoms, and I urge people to see their GP if they have any concerns,” said Dean Barker, New Zealand sailing great, bowel cancer survivor and Bowel Cancer NZ ambassador.
Bowel cancer symptoms to keep an eye on are:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- Persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and/or anaemia
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Posh Double Length three ply six pack will be the first CottonSoft product printed with symptoms on the back of its packaging.
