Each year on July 27, World Head and Neck Cancer Day
brings global attention to one of the most complex and
under-recognised groups of cancers. In Aotearoa New Zealand,
the Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust is calling
for greater visibility, earlier detection, and improved care
for people affected by these challenging cancers.
Head
and neck cancers affect the mouth, throat, voice box,
sinuses, nose, and salivary glands. While they represent
only about 4% of all cancers in New Zealand, their impact is
far greater. Treatments often involve disfiguring surgery,
radiation, chemotherapy—or all three—leaving patients
with lifelong difficulties in speaking, swallowing,
breathing, and eating. And yet, despite these challenges,
the voices of those affected are often lost in our health
system.
A Growing Need for Change
In recent
years, we have seen an increase in HPV-related oropharyngeal
cancers, particularly in younger people. At the same time,
oral cancers continue to disproportionately affect older
adults and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Māori patients often face worse outcomes due to delayed
diagnosis and limited access to services.
Despite
advancements in treatment, our health system is struggling
to provide timely and equitable care. Patients report delays
in diagnosis, and insufficient support during survivorship.
As one survivor told us, “You’re patched up, but you’re
not put back together.”
We can do better.
What
We’re Asking For
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The Head and Neck Cancer Support
Network Trust believes that every New Zealander affected by
head and neck cancer deserves:
Timely, accurate
diagnosis
Coordinated multidisciplinary
care
Access to clinical nurse specialists and
rehabilitation services
Culturally appropriate support
for Māori and Pacific patients
A national action plan
for head and neck cancer
We also call for increased
awareness in the general public and among primary care
clinicians. Early detection saves lives—but only if people
know what to look for. Persistent hoarseness, difficulty
swallowing, unexplained mouth sores or lumps in the neck
should never be ignored.
Our Work
The Trust is a
national patient-led charity working to improve outcomes
through advocacy, peer support, and education. We maintain
online forums, connect patients with resources, and
collaborate with clinicians to improve care. Most
importantly, we listen to and amplify the lived experiences
of survivors, carers, and whānau.
On World Head and
Neck Cancer Day, we honour their strength—and we recommit
to fighting for a system that sees them, hears them, and
heals them.
What You Can Do
Learn the signs and
symptoms of head and neck cancer
Share our resources
with your networks
Talk to your GP if something
doesn’t feel right
Support our work at
www.headandneck.org.nz
Together, we can bring head and
neck cancer out of the shadows—and ensure no one faces it
alone.
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