Lung Cancer

Pharmac urged to fund treatments for lung cancer

Just prior to the lockdown, Lung Foundation NZ, CEO, Philip Hope, met with Sarah Fitt (CEO) and Steve Maharey (Chair), of Pharmac, concerning the ongoing delay to fund lung cancer treatments which is causing a (preventable) humanitarian crisis. It is unacceptable, 30 patients are dying prematurely every week in NZ, when treatments could be available […]

Comparing Lung Cancer Treatment Options between, NZ and Australia versus European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealanders have become more aware how our healthcare compares with other countries. Comparing, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options between New Zealand, Australia and Europe, highlights just how far behind NZ is and why lung cancer patients die prematurely. It is disgraceful, that NZ funds just a third of the […]

Tribute to Kate Hodges, Lung Cancer Patient Ambassador

Me te aroha tino nui atu (with deepest sympathy) We are deeply affected and grieving, because our dear friend, lung cancer patient ambassador, Kate Hodges (50), a devoted wife and mother, died on Wednesday, 1st April, the result of advanced lung cancer. Kate had moved to receive respite care at hospice, the same day as […]

Submission to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill

LFNZ is strongly in favour of resourcing programmes that increase complete smoking cessation, rather than encouraging people who smoke to switch their nicotine addiction. The scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of vaping (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or ENDS) as a smoking cessation aid is still being debated, this is partly due to the diversity of […]

Questions for Pharmac as lung cancer patients continue to die prematurely

We have written to the Health Select Committee, further to our petition, urging that lung cancer be declared a national health priority and for the three remaining treatments we recommended last March be funded in 1st line for lung Cancer. Key facts – – Lung cancer patients suffer premature death in New Zealand, because they […]

Submission for the Inquiry into health inequities for Maori

Lung Foundation New Zealand, filed a submission for the inquiry into health inequities for Maori, which has been led by the Maori Affairs Committee. LFNZ presented to the committee on Monday 4th November and answered questions pertaining to its submission. We hope this inquiry will help NZ take the bold steps ahead that will eliminate […]

Response to the Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029

We are really pleased after two years to now have a draft cancer plan to review and acknowledge the work that has gone into this draft plan. First up, we should record how disappointing it was, for our cause, and CANGO (Cancer Non-Governmental Organisations) of which Lung Foundation NZ is a member, to not be […]

Our submission to the Health Select Committee

We recently presented to the Health Select Committee. Sincere thanks to the many brave patients and carers for their letters, which highlight the terrible inequity that exists for lung cancer in NZ. Click to view our submission – 2019 July – Lung Foundation NZ – Health Select Committee – Hearing for Lung Cancer Petition Petition […]