Cancer Society of New Zealand

The Cancer Society is proud to support the whitepaper summary report from the inaugural Valuing Life New Zealand Medicines Access Summit published today by Patient Voice Aotearoa and Medicines New Zealand – linked below. The inaugural Summit was a landmark event aimed at addressing critical issues in medicines access, and we’re pleased to see the valuable contributions from across the health sector reflected in this report. Since the Summit in April, it's encouraging to see increased Government investment in medicines. However, much more remains to be done, particularly in ensuring sustainable funding and delivering an international standard of care for all New Zealanders. We look forward to continuing to be part of this multi-stakeholder approach on behalf of the families we represent.

New research alert ⚠ Shout out to our Cancer Society-funded researchers at the University of Otago on this research published in the The New Zealand Medical Journal today exploring Tongan New Zealanders' experiences with the National Bowel Screening Programme (NBSP).    It found that a 'by Tongan, for Tongan' service based on Tongan models of health, values and ways of working would all help improve Tongan New Zealanders' access to the NBSP. 

We welcome the release today of a new factsheet 'Ka Hua Mai Te Mate Pukupuku I Te Inu Waipiro – Alcohol Causes Cancer' by the Royal Society Te Apārangi It provides evidence-based information about how alcohol causes cancer, with the aim of informing choices about drinking for both people and communities. Cancer Society Evidence and Insights Lead Emma Shields says while the link between drinking alcohol and cancer has been known about for a long time, Cancer Society’s own research shows that public awareness of the link remains low. “Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer including common types like breast and bowel, and hard to treat types like oesophageal cancer. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol it is, and the more we drink the higher our risk. “Although we have known about this link for a long time, it remains relatively unknown around New Zealand. This new Royal Society factsheet is a good reminder of the harm alcohol causes and what action we need to take to reduce that.” Ms Shields says she hopes as well as raising more public awareness, the factsheet from the Royal Society might lead to renewed calls for Government action to introduce policies that will reduce alcohol-related harm. “We need to put people’s health before profits and introduce higher standards for how the alcohol industry markets and sells its products, such as limiting alcohol advertising and sports sponsorship.” Shout out to our colleagues at Health Coalition Aotearoa and Alcohol Healthwatch for your support and advocacy in this space also.

We are excited to announce two of the international speakers who will be joining us for #InPursuit2025 on 6-7 March in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.  Dr Catherine Elliott and Professor Nasir Rajpoot will be part of a plenary session on Day 2 of the In Pursuit 2025 Cancer Research & Innovation Conference.  Dr Elliot is Director of Research & Partnerships at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) a post she took up in August 2021, leading on discovery, training and clinical research. She will share learnings from the development of CRUK’s Research and Innovation Strategy and the importance of partnerships. Professor Rajpoot is a Professor of Computational Pathology and founding Director of the Tissue Image Analytics Centre at the University of Warwick. His current research focus is on the research and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms for the study of biomarkers, aimed at early detection, risk stratification and personalised treatment of cancer. He will give insights into how AI is transforming pathology services and the opportunities ahead in this exciting space.  Register today at www.cancerconference.co.nz and be part of a transformative event that will shape the future of cancer care in New Zealand and beyond!

Get ready to move this November with Marathon in a Month!💚 Get your workplace involved and create a team. Free to sign up, it takes just 1.4km of movement a day to complete Marathon in a Month. Being physically active every day reduces the risk of cancer, and by fundraising throughout November you can actively support the 1 in 3 New Zealanders who will get cancer in their lifetime. Health promotion activities for staff such as Marathon in a Month will help boost productivity and create a more positive and engaged workplace, all while supporting your corporate social responsibility goals. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gwq8qvhD

The Cancer Society of New Zealand would like to congratulate Professor Christopher Jackson on his appointment this week to the Board of Directors for the Union for International Cancer Control. Chris will become our first ever New Zealand-based board member. The UICC is the world's peak cancer policy and advocacy organisation, and Chris will now play a pivotal role in steering this group over the coming years. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Not only NZ, but the rest of the world are very lucky to have someone of Chris’ calibre and passion joining their ranks. We would also like to congratulate and acknowledge Todd Harper, a prominent Australian leader in cancer prevention and Chief Executive of Cancer Council Victoria who was also appointed – together this side of the world is now well represented.

Sharing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 💗

Thank you Nikki Macdonald for covering this really important topic and highlighting this potential great news story - a cancer we have a real shot at eliminating! If you haven’t already signed our open letter to the Health Minister calling for more action to End Cervical Cancer please lend your support today and spread the word. Link in comments.

Today we reflect on a week where we celebrated new cancer drugs being made available for more than 1000 cancer patients. As our Cancer Society of New Zealand Chief Executive Nicola Coom told Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB, this will be absolutely "life-changing" and "life-extending" for so many. We will continue to advocate for the best cancer care for New Zealanders. #CancerSocietyAdvocacy

As Mental Health Awareness Week rolls out across Aotearoa, the Cancer Society of New Zealand is reinforcing its commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of individuals and whānau impacted by cancer. Nicola Coom, Cancer Society Chief Executive, says mental health is everyone's business. "We all have a responsibility, it's not the government, the mental health sector, it's on all of us. "At the Cancer Society, we know that a cancer diagnosis is not just a physical journey. It profoundly affects the mind and spirit. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to acknowledge the mental and emotional strain that cancer brings, and to seek support not just for the physical aspects, but also for mental wellbeing.” Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gigckBND #MHAWNZ #MentalHealthAwareness