NSU Screening Programmes

The NSU has a number of screening and quality improvement programmes.

Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions – quality improvements

We are working to improve the quality and safety of screening for Down syndrome and other conditions in New Zealand.  It is your choice whether or not to have this screening.

Read more about Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions – quality improvements here

BreastScreen Aotearoa

New Zealand’s free national breast screening programme checks women for signs of early breast cancer. Regular mammograms are available for women aged between 45 and 69 to reduce their risk of dying of breast cancer.

Read more about BreastScreen Aotearoa here

National Bowel Screening Programme

The National Bowel Screening Programme aims to save lives by detecting bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated. The programme is being rolled out progressively throughout New Zealand from July 2017 for men and women aged 60 to 74.

Read more about National Bowel Screening Programme here

National Cervical Screening Programme

The National Cervical Screening Programme is available to all women in New Zealand between 25 and 69 years old. The screening test checks for abnormal cell changes to the cervix, reducing the risk of women developing cervical cancer.

Read more about National Cervical Screening Programme here

Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme

The Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme screens for rare but potentially serious disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, and congenital hypothyroidism. A blood sample is taken from your baby’s heel at 48 hours of age (the ‘heel prick’ or ‘Guthrie’ test).  If a disorder is found, early treatment can prevent permanent damage or death.

Read more about Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme here

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme

​Newborn hearing screening checks whether your baby hears well.  If your baby has a hearing loss, finding it early is good for their language, learning and social development.  All babies can now have access to newborn hearing screening free of charge.

Read more about Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme here

Page last updated: 22 November 2014