Cancer Society's new Auckland/Northland boss visits region

Fundraising, advocacy, support services, education, promotion - all in a day's work for new Cancer Society Auckland/Northland boss Andrew Young. Photo / John Stone

Northland could become a model region for the way cancer treatment, community services and whanau support are provided.

That's a big ask in a large region where the difficulty of accessing services adds to disproportionately high cancer death rates - but it's achievable, says new Cancer Society Auckland/Northland (SCAN) chief executive Andrew Young.

He was in Northland last week to meet with health leaders to talk about ''where to from here'' in the battle against cancer.

''Let's put equity at the top of the list,'' he said, referring to regional specific difficulties.

The recent news the Government would provide Whangārei Hospital with a radiotherapy machine would have impact in that regard. It would also help shape Northland Cancer Society's support services, Young said.

''Northland will be a centre of excellence and innovation for the services the Cancer Society provides.''

Young has previously been chief executive of the Starship Foundation and the Well Foundation, which raises funds for New Zealand's largest district health board, Waitemata.

"I feel so honoured to be taking a leadership role with the Cancer Society. It feels like everything I've done to date has led me to the biggest job of my career, taking on the fight against cancer,'' he said.

"There is still much work to do to support those with cancer as well as trying to prevent people getting cancer in the first place - but we can only do more if we have enough funding.''

Fundraising aside, the Cancer Society will always ask stakeholders, health boards and service users what else it can do, Young said.

Discussions with Northland District Health Board chief executive Nick Chamberlain included about where were the best places to deliver treatment and support services. With the Government's commitment to provide Whangārei Hospital with a radiotherapy machine it was crucial the DHB and the non-profit, non-Government (NGO) Cancer Society worked closely in future service planning, Young said.

In 2018, 453 Northland people went to Auckland Hospital for radiation treatment.

But even with drivers, accommodation and other support, because of various challenges some patients do not take up the distant life saving or lengthening treatment, Northland Cancer Society manager Jenni Moore said. Navigating the health system itself was often a problem, which raised the question of whether ''systemic stuff'' caused patients to present late.

With 63 new cancer diagnoses a day in New Zealand, affecting one in three people, SCAN's major focus was helping people make life choices and changes that might prevent cancer, Young said.

''We have to ask ourselves, how do we turn these stats around? How can we help, how can we support someone to make the changes they need?''

While fundraising is essential as it pays for 99 per cent of SCAN's direct support for patients, the society also advocates at Government level.

''The Cancer Society would like Pharmac to be very clear about when certain drugs are due to be available. We need clarity regarding what people can expect,'' Young said.

''Access to good drugs is just one part of the battle. The other is lifestyle.''

That includes the Cancer Society working with local councils to back the smokefree environment and supporting Smokefree 20/20. Meanwhile, the society is taking a cautious approach to tobacco-replacement vaping and welcomes legislation by Government, currently at select committee stage.

Another campaign is the long-standing "Sunsafe", with alcohol and obesity also in the sights, as a number of cancers are associated with them.

''Diet and lifestyle. [New Zealand] has this love affair with tobacco, alcohol and fried food. If we can help make change there, if we can turn around the cancer stats, we will,'' Young said.