The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Though primarily providing guidance for secondary and tertiary care, it is recognised that GPs and others in primary care may find the guideline and the summary useful reference tools, particularly with respect to planned follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer. The guideline covers the clinical pathway from preoperative assessment to appropriate intervention and follow-up. Content includes guidance on elective surgery for colon and rectal cancer, emergency surgery for bowel obstruction, adjuvant therapy, as well as general guidance to facilitate coordinated and patient-centred care. The summary resource is designed to enable easy reference to core guidance.

Management of Early Colorectal Cancer was commissioned by the Ministry as part of its commitment to the implementation of the Cancer Control Strategy. It follows the publication of evidence-based guidelines for the management of melanoma, early breast cancer and suspected cancer in primary care. An update of the guideline on surveillance and management of groups at increased risk of colorectal cancer is also underway.