Metastatic Stage 4 Bowel Cancer Diagnosis
Waikato woman Flick Scott was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 bowel cancer in May 2025.
Prior to the diagnosis, Scott maintained an active lifestyle that included mountain biking, kayaking, and playing tennis. She had recently completed the 25km Highlander mountain bike race in Rotorua. Aside from inconsistent bowel habits consisting of two days of constipation followed by sudden diarrhoea, she reported feeling healthy and fit. She attributed her initial fatigue and digestive changes to the stress of losing her job prior to her diagnosis.
Scott sought medical attention only after experiencing a complete bowel blockage that required various diarrhoea treatments. A subsequent colonoscopy and CT scan confirmed the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. She underwent 12 sessions of infusion chemotherapy followed by the surgical removal of her bowel tumour. However, surgeons determined that removing the tumours on her liver was not possible.
“I've got too much life to live, too much fun to have, too many people I love in my life, and too much that I hope I can offer to others,” said Flick Scott.
Histotripsy Treatment in Oregon
A friend researched alternative treatment options and identified histotripsy, a mechanical therapy utilizing purpose-built machines to deliver ultra-focused ultrasound directly to tumours. The procedure involves no chemicals or surgical incisions, allowing for an almost immediate recovery.
Scott travelled to Oregon in the United States in May 2025 to undergo the procedure, which she described as 100% successful. She reported being able to move around without discomfort and returning to cycling the day after the procedure, adding that the targeted liver tumours were gone.
Because of restrictions on how much treatment she could have at once, Scott required at least two additional sessions. Each histotripsy treatment costs US$50,000, roughly $90,000 in New Zealand currency. To fund the procedures, she launched fundraising campaigns through Givealittle and GoFundMe, while also working to save money. Since returning to New Zealand, she noted that her liver tumours have begun increasing again, prompting her to resume infusion chemotherapy.
Gut Cancer Foundation chief executive Kristin Bernstone stated that histotripsy uses focused ultrasound to destroy targeted liver tumours without incisions, heat, or radiation. Bernstone noted that early studies show promise, though researchers must continue studying the treatment to establish the durability of results, identify which patients benefit most, and determine whether it improves overall survival and quality of life.
Bernstone advised New Zealand patients exploring overseas treatment to discuss potential benefits, suitability, alternatives, and follow-up care with their treating cancer team before committing financially.
Health NZ Funding Criteria
Rachel Haggerty, hospitals director for Health NZ, acknowledged the growing interest in histotripsy as an emerging treatment for tumours not currently available in New Zealand. Haggerty stated that overseas usage varies according to the evidence supporting different forms of cancer treatment.
Health NZ’s high-cost treatment pool may consider applications for patients in exceptional circumstances where the treatment has received approval for use overseas, such as for liver tumours, and following a referral from a Health NZ specialist. Haggerty emphasized that applications undergo evaluation against standardised criteria, which does not guarantee funding or treatment access.
Health NZ maintains a structured process for assessing emerging health technologies, focusing on clinical effectiveness, safety, health benefits, and costs, while excluding treatments still in the trial stage.
How Histotripsy Works and Why Scott Travelled to the US
What is histotripsy and how does it work?
Histotripsy is a mechanical treatment utilizing purpose-built machines to deliver ultra-focused ultrasound directly to tumours. According to Gut Cancer Foundation chief executive Kristin Bernstone, the procedure destroys targeted liver tumours without requiring incisions, heat, or radiation.
Why did Flick Scott travel to the United States for care?
Scott travelled to Oregon in May 2025 because histotripsy is not available in New Zealand. She funded the US$50,000 per-treatment procedure through personal savings, employment, and fundraising campaigns on Givealittle and GoFundMe.
Does Health New Zealand fund histotripsy overseas?
Health NZ hospitals director Rachel Haggerty stated that the agency’s high-cost treatment pool may consider funding applications in exceptional circumstances. Patients require a specialist referral, and applications are evaluated against standardised criteria without guaranteeing approval.
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