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World Head & Neck Cancer Day, July 27

New Zealand has a new cancer advocacy and support group. Incorporated on June 15, 2016, the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Support Network is applying for registration as a charity.

The new organisation aims to connect head and neck cancer people throughout New Zealand, support them online as well as in person and advocate for optimal care and treatment.

Head and neck cancer is a disease that affects the very things that make us human: our appearance, our speech and our ability to eat like a normal person.

The Network was started by a group of patients who wanted to extend the support they received from the ADHB at monthly meetings. They enjoyed the education and companionship they experienced and saw a need to offer support to a wider range of people.

There was also a need to advocate for this subset of cancer patients, a group that flies under the radar compared to other cancer people. They have unmet needs in the fields of dental care and psychological support.

The medical system can cure a big percentage of patients but the side effects of head and neck cancer treatment are particularly dire, including disfigurement from surgery, rampant dental decay from radiation and severe weight loss.

Eventually, the Network will work on advocating for early detection and preventive measures like smoking cessation and HPV vaccination for boys.

World Head and Neck Cancer Day is a chance to draw attention to the plight of head and neck cancer patients.
Here are our contact details.
headandnecknetwork@gmail.com
www.headandneck.blogspot.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1116515895074395/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
https://twitter.com/HeadNeckNZ
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/headandnecknetwork

ENDS

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