As an experienced nurse, West Aucklander Karin Milliken knows a lot about health, but she had no idea her own health could be under threat.

After returning a positive bowel screening test, Karin was referred for a colonoscopy. "I was stunned to be told they found two polyps that were removed during the procedure; but I’m very thankful they’d been picked up.”

Karin was placed on a surveillance programme and, two years later, a colonoscopy revealed one of the polyps had grown back. She has had surgery to move part of her bowel and has made a full recovery.

She hates to think about what would have happened if it hadn’t been for the bowel screening programme and urges people to take part. “The process is so easy, I'd urge everyone who is eligible to take part."