November is Lung Health Month AND Lung Cancer Awareness month

Lung Foundation New Zealand observes lung health month and lung cancer awareness month during November. We thought we would begin by sharing some lung facts that remind us how important our/your lungs are; Lungs are the only internal organs that are constantly exposed to the environment The average person breathes about 11,000 litres of air […]

Green Cross Health, pharmacy brands Unichem and Life Pharmacy to observe lung health Month

We acknowledge the increasingly important role community pharmacists have in raising awareness and identifying those who may be at risk of lung disease. For many, the community pharmacist is recognised as the go to health professional, because individuals can speak with a pharmacist free of charge, without an appointment and in confidence. Lung Foundation New […]

Why is Keytruda funded for melanoma but not lung cancer?

Is it fair that melanoma gets funded for a particular drug while lung cancer doesn’t? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with Pembrolizumab, or Keytruda as it’s more commonly known. Melanoma groups lobbied the Government hard to get the drug funded and in September last year, they succeeded – but spare a thought for lung cancer […]

Lung Cancer Patients advocate for immunotherapy drug Keytruda to be funded

Lung cancer patient Jason Guttenbeil, shares his story. We acknowledge Jason’s courage for speaking about his lung cancer journey and for highlighting the inequity so far as access to effective treatments like Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in the public health system. We also acknowledge lung cancer patient Mary Wyatt for sharing her story. Both patients have had […]

New Zealand Health Strategy Implementation Workshop

Lung Foundation New Zealand participated in a workshop held in Auckland with other key stakeholders to look at the journey our health system has taken since the launch of the NZ Health Strategy. This forum was a good opportunity to collaborate, to acknowledge the positives of the present and also consider the future we all […]

Taking Part in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials for new treatments are going on in New Zealand, Australia and around the world all through the year. Search ‘online clinical trial registers’ to find clinical trials to ask about. You or someone close to you may be suitable to take part in a trial. Contact the organisers, and tell your oncologist and […]

Pemetrexed to be funded from 1st November 2017

Today PHARMAC announced the approval of a proposal to fund pemetrexed for the treatment of mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Says Philip Hope of Lung Foundation New Zealand; “We were pleased to be informed today that pemetrexed will be funded in the public health system from the 1st November 2017.” “Pemetrexed has improved […]

CANGO (Cancer NGO’s) election manifesto launch

CANGO (Cancer Non- Governmental Organisations) an alliance of prominent New Zealand cancer charities, including Lung Foundation NZ, launched it’s election manifesto last night in Wellington. CANGO is encouraging all political parties to address inequity and improve their commitment to; cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship as key policy planks. After launching CANGO’s manifesto, Graeme […]

Cancer NGO’s election manifesto urges all political parties to address inequity

CANGO (Cancer Non-Governmental Organisations) an alliance of prominent New Zealand cancer charities, including Lung Foundation New Zealand, launched it’s election manifesto last night in Wellington. CANGO is encouraging all political parties to address inequity and increased commitment to; cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship as key policy planks. MPs in attendance included; National’s Minister […]

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