Lives are expected to be lost in the Maori and Pasifika communities, thanks to changes to bowel cancer screening

Starting today, the screening age lowers to 58 for Northland, Auckland, and the South Island - the rest of the North Island will follow in March.

The move scraps Maori and Pasifika access to screening at the age of 50, but the Government says they'll eventually reach a lower screening-age for everyone.

However Auckland University Medical Professor George Laking says earlier screening is needed now.

He says the change worsens outcomes for Maori, who already die seven years younger.