Head and Neck Cancer Foundation Aotearoa

We want to improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients. Our work has three strands:

1. Funding medical research to better understand head and neck cancers, and develop more effective and less invasive treatments.
2. Providing community and clinician education on head and neck cancer.
3. Advocating for strategies to prevent these cancers, improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequities.

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer globally, and incidence is on the rise in New Zealand. Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers face harsh treatments that can lead to a myriad of lifelong difficulties, including facial disfigurement, impaired swallowing, speech, taste of food and dry mouth - to name but a few.

Despite this, head and neck cancer has a low profile compared to other cancer types. This negatively impacts public awareness, speed of diagnosis, prognosis and availability of patient support.

Our Board comprises patient representatives and world-leading clinical experts in surgery, oncology, oral health and primary care. Visit our website at headandneckcancer.org.nz to learn more about our work and team.