Patient Voice Aotearoa chairman Malcolm Mulholland said the concept of new political entity campaigning for better drug buying policies is gathering support.
Mr Mulholland, whose wife Wiki has terminal cancer, is calling for the doubling of funding to Pharmac.
He said patients with a raft of health issues, ranging from cancer to mental health, are being forced to "beg for their lives" when it comes to acc
This article was written by Jenny Leyh, a mother, freelance writer, cancer survivor and integrative health advocate living in Haddon Heights, New Jersey.
Hearing the words “you have cancer” was devastating. It was a life-altering diagnosis that caused time to stand still. But once a plan was established and the treatment began, the fear and unknowns morphed into empowerment. My medical team kept a close eye over everything I did and it was comforting
The European Commission has approved MSD’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as monotherapy or as part of a combination, for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
The regulatory body says that the approval was based on data from the Phase III KEYNOTE-048 trial, in which the drug, compared with standard treatment (cetuximab with carboplatin or cisplatin plus 5-FU), demo
Patient Voice Aotearoa welcomes the comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters on ‘The Project’ on Friday last week. Peters stated “Right now…we know we are not spending nearly enough on pharmaceuticals and first world drugs…the reality is that Pharmac’s budget is not big enough and we have to face that as a country and make some accommodations to give people the treatment and first world drugs that they deserve. We have a $7.5
New developments in the treating of head and neck cancer, and diagnosing thyroid cancer.
Adults should be vaccinated against cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) to save ‘thousands’ more lives, said a UK expert.
According to a dailymail.com article on September 28, 2019, cancer scientists say ‘evidence is now emerging that giving the jab to those who already harbor HPV could protect them as well,’ per Margaret Stanley of Cambridge University, president of the International Papilloma Virus Society. Read more here....
OPINION: Statements about priorities for the new cancer agency made by agency head Professor Diana Sarfati are cause for serious concern.
Last Saturday's profile of Sarfati, in which she was asked to name her three priorities, said: "One thing not on that priority wish list is more money for the stream of high-cost, life-prolonging drugs for terminal cancer, which prompt patient petitions and marches to Parliament."
So it seems prolonging
Auckland Hospital staff have apologised to a Dargaville builder left with brain damage after he was given an overdose of morphine.
Memb
Each week we share Head and Neck Cancer News from around the world....
Researchers have successfully solved a longstanding problem in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers. The researchers used artificial intelligence to develop a new classification method which identifies the primary origins of cancerous tissue based on chemical DNA changes. The potential for introduction into routine medical practice is currently b
Paul Ryder considers himself lucky to be alive.
The 68-year-old Timaru man was diagnosed with cancer in his vocal cords in 2017, but with treatment the disease went into remission and finally subsided.
He says the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019–2029, announced by the Government on Sunday, should only be a start in the fight against the disease as much more than the allotted extra $60 million was needed to find a cure, and more radiation
Head and Neck Cancer Network Launches Petition
The Head and Neck Cancer Network have added their voice to the other cancer organisation calling for Pharmac to fund cancer drug Keytruda. MedSafe approved the drug for use in head and neck cancer after chemotherapy. However, Network Chair Diana Ayling says, Keytruda needs to be available as an option with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy”.
At present HNC patient, Diana Craig is funding her own treatment with donations from a Give a Little Pag
This article is part of a Because It Matters Newshub series.
Described as New Zealand's "most prolific cancer survivor", Phil Kerslake says he's worried the country's falling behind in terms of cancer care, and is urging the Prime Minister and the Health Minister to pick up the pace.
Kerslake, who's survived eight new diagnoses or recurrences of cancer since 1974, says while he thinks New Zealand's "come a long way",
The Government has unveiled the first tranche of its cancer plan, announcing a $25 million spend on 12 new radiation machines nationwide.
But the plan, announced by Prime Minist
Kia ora tatou,
Network News
World Head and Neck Cancer Day 2019
We had good media coverage for the day. I would like to thank the Australia New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society, the New Zealand Dental Association, the Gillies MacIndoe Research Institute, the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Education Foundation, the Cancer Society, www.hpv.org.nz and the wonderful team at Wellington Zoo. A great effort. You can read all the information shared here. http://headandneck.org.nz/news/weekly-wednesd
From Radio New Zealand...."World Head and Neck Cancer Day is tomorrow and this year there's a push to highlight the correlation between these cancers and the HPV virus.
These cancers are increasing at a faster rate than other cancers, so what is the connection and is it preventable?
Jesse Mulligan was joined by Professor Swee Tan, an expert in the field, to tell us more." Click here to listen.
Most Kiwi cancer patients are keen to take part in clinical trials, a survey shows, despite a tiny proportion actually being
Pharmac has spent tens of millions of dollars funding a painkiller at the centre of the American opioid crisis. Experts say it has created a whole new population of drug users. National Correspondent Tony Wall investigates.
Oxycodone, known
Kia ora tatou,
Network News
This month we launch our fundraising campaign for the year. Although we run a lean and mean operation, we need your donations to ensure we can continue our work of connecting, supporting and advocating for people affected by head and neck cancer.
This year we are joining with Beyond Five in Australia to raise funds through Soup for the Soul. Simply, you make up a soothing, comforting bowl of soup, share it with your friends, family and colleagues. Ask your diners to
Please share your thoughts on your recent treatment experience. This can be at any stage of your cancer journey, pre treatment, treatment, post treatment, and survivorship.
You can take our survey as many times as you like, and we encourage you to have your family/whanau and carers share their thoughts as well. Click the link to share your thoughts.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PatientNZ
