Kia ora, my name is Melanie, and I am a two-time survivor of head and neck cancer, first diagnosed in 2019 and again in 2021. This experience deeply shaped my understanding of the long and often unseen journey that follows treatment and has given me a deeply personal understanding of the challenges that come with treatment and long-term survivorship.

Originally trained as a lawyer, I pursued a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. This path was a step towards research that bridges clinical, psychological, and lived perspectives in cancer care. I am currently undertaking a PhD research focused on the survivorship experiences of people affected by head and neck cancer in Aotearoa.

I have also completed a Level 1 Certificate in Te Reo Māori, and I hope that this equips me to conduct research that is respectful, inclusive, and grounded in a commitment to equity. My research uses Photovoice, a participatory method that captures and reflects on our lived experiences through photography and storytelling. This approach honours individual voices and reveals what truly matters in recovery, allowing us to express our experiences in our voice and on our own terms, offering powerful insights into what matters most in our recovery.

I hope that this research will help shape more equitable, person-centred survivorship care that responds to the real needs of our community.

 If you are interested in contributing to this research, please feel free to contact me:

melanieannemei-lin.chan@vuw.ac.nz

Ngā mihi nui.