General overview

There may be no warning signs that you have bowel cancer, but early screening can lead to successful treatment. Mercy Screening offers you the ability to take part in an at-home bowel screening assessment. It is quick, hygienic, and simple to do.

Once you have collected a sample, a courier will take it to a lab for processing. The lab will test the bowel sample for the presence of blood. If blood is detected, a colonoscopy is recommended for further investigation.

Purchase your bowel screening kit

Would you like to purchase a bowel screening kit delivered right to your doorstep?

Cost - $132.25 ($115 plus GST)

Just click on the link below, fill out the details and make payment by credit card, your kit will then be despatched

https://nz.pinga.health/app/bowel/intake

 

 

 

 

What to expect:

Once you have registered your interest, we will courier a bowel screening kit to you. You should receive your kit within 5 working days.

Your kit includes:

  • Detailed instructions on how to complete your kit
  • Specimen bag
  • Sample container
  • Lab form
  • Pre-paid return courier bag

Once this arrives, you will need to take a stool sample using the sample container. For verification, we require you to write the following information on the container: your full name, date of birth and the date the sample is taken.

Once you have written this information, place the container in the specimen bag. Then place this, along with the lab form, in the return courier bag.

You can book a return courier (at no cost to you) to take your sample to the lab for testing. If you live rurally, you may need to drop the sample off to your local rural agent or courier depot. Alternatively, you may drop the sample off at any Awanui Labs (formally Labtests) collection centre listed here

The lab will then process the sample. Once complete we will email you the results.

Courier Advice:

NZ couriers sometimes experience delays due to high demand. 

If NZ Couriers are not taking calls, it is best to communicate your pick-up request via email. Their email is dependent on where you live in NZ. Please click here  to find the appropriate email address. Then enter your address and the nearest branch will display with an email address and contact phone number. Please record in Subject Line “Pick up Request – PrePaid”.

In the email, state you want to book a return courier. You do not need an NZ Couriers account to do this. 

In the email, also include: 

  • The address to pick up the sample from (your address)
  • The address it is going to (Labtest, 37-41 Carbine Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland 1060).

If the couriers do not arrive on the agreed pick-up day, please email them again to reorganise the pickup and mention that package can expire. The sample can last up to two weeks if stored in a cool, dry place so keep the package inside until the day of pick-up.

FAQ's

How long until I get my kit?

You can expect your kit to arrive within 5 working days of submitting a request.

I have not received my kit. What do I do?

Email us at [email protected] and we will track your parcel.

I am on my period. Can I still take the sample?

No. Because the test is looking for the presence of blood in your stool, taking a sample while menstruating can result in a false positive.

The courier cannot pick up my sample tomorrow. How long will it last?

Your sample will last 2 weeks if stored in a cool, dry place. Please keep your sample in doors until the day the courier is to pick it up.

How long until I get my result?

Once the lab has received the sample, you will be notified of your result within 5 working days.

No one has contacted me regarding my result. What do I do??

Email us at [email protected] and we will investigate this.

What if my result comes back positive?

If your result is positive, we will send you an email with a copy of your results and recommend that you contact your GP to make an appointment. Your GP will be able to discuss your results with you in more detail and guide you on the necessary follow-up tests or procedures, which may include a colonoscopy. To find out more on what a colonoscopy is, click here.