Mr Siraj Rajaratnam is a New Zealand-born and trained surgeon. After spending a further two years doing specialist training in colorectal surgery in Cambridge and Oxford, UK, Siraj returned to New Zealand to settle on the North Shore. He has been a consultant surgeon at North Shore Hospital since 2013. Siraj’s specialist expertise includes diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer with colonoscopy and surgery. He lives in Milford with his wife (also a doctor), teenage children and two cavoodles.

Channel Mag: With bowel cancer rates rising, what are key symptoms we shouldn't ignore?
Siraj Rajaratnam: If you notice blood in your bowel motions, a persistent change in bowel habit, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, it is important to see your GP, who can assess whether further tests or specialist referral is required.

What's the most common misconception you hear? Probably the biggest misconception is that bowel cancer is only an older person’s disease. Around 350 New Zealanders under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, so being “too young” shouldn’t stop you getting persistent symptoms checked.

Many people delay having a colonoscopy as they're nervous about the procedure. What's your advice to anyone hesitating to get checked? Having had a colonoscopy myself, I can say that it is not as bad as you may think. Sedation can be given at the time to make you sleepy and relaxed. The procedure is generally well tolerated and, importantly, colonoscopy not only detects bowel cancer but can also prevent cancer by removing pre-cancerous polyps at an early stage.

What age should people start thinking about bowel cancer screening? Are there risk factors that make screening more important? The National Bowel Screening Programme currently offers free screening to eligible New Zealanders aged 58-74, with the age being lowered to 56 from October 2026. If you have a family history of bowel cancer, you may be eligible for a screening colonoscopy at an earlier age, and you can discuss this with your GP.

We all lead busy lives, often putting our own health last. What proactive health checks should we prioritise? The most important message is don’t ignore your symptoms. Early detection matters, as bowel cancer can be cured if it is found early.

Mr Siraj Rajaratnam
Colorectal and General Surgeon & Endoscopist
Waitematā Endoscopy, 09 925 4449