Head & Neck Cancer Support Network Trust Community News June 2026

Written By Head and Neck Cancer Support Network
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Fundraiser for World Head and Neck Cancer Day 2026

A small gift. A warm welcome. A lasting difference.

Help us welcome every newly diagnosed patient with a Patient Pack and the reassurance that they are part of a caring community.

Cast your mind back to when you or your loved one received their cancer diagnosis.

Life changes in an instant.

Questions race through your mind.

You wonder what treatment will be like, how everyone will cope, and whether anyone truly understands what lies ahead.

That is why the Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust created our Patient Packs. Check out our Patient Packs here.

Each pack is carefully prepared with practical resources, helpful information, and small gifts that remind people they are not alone. More importantly, it is an invitation into a community of people who understand.

This World Head and Neck Cancer Day, we are asking our community to help us welcome every newly diagnosed patient.

By sponsoring a Patient Pack, you are helping someone begin their journey knowing that support, encouragement, and hope are only a phone call or email away.

Together, we can ensure that no one faces head and neck cancer alone.

To make your donation of $30, you can either donate direct to our bank account or through Give A Little. You can find the information to donate here. https://www.headandneck.org.nz/donations

Please be sure to leave your full name if you want to be acknowledged when we send your pack. We will state, “This patient pack was sponsored by XXX XXXX.”

 

Look Good Feel Better is now Cancer Support New Zealand

“Look Good Feel Better community classes continue to be a core part of our organisation, alongside online, on-demand, and community-based support programmes.”

From Cancer Support New Zealand

Already well known for their community classes in skincare and beauty to boost confidence after cancer, Look Good Feel Better has a new name, Cancer Support New Zealand, better reflecting the broader practical, non-medical support they now provide.

General Manager Clare O’Higgins explained the change. “Over time, participants shared that they needed more support beyond the original programme. Support for the everyday parts of cancer that can feel unexpected, isolating, and sometimes overwhelming. We listened, and we grew into more than 20 free programmes supporting people through both the visible and invisible effects of cancer”.

Importantly, referral pathways remain unchanged.

“Look Good Feel Better community classes continue to be a core part of our organisation, alongside online, on-demand, and community-based support programmes.”

Cancer Support New Zealand provides free, practical, non-medical support for people facing cancer, at every stage. Supporting the everyday experience, helping you manage the visible and invisible effects, find connection, and gently rebuild confidence, identity, and a sense of self.

Support includes in-community classes and 20+ free online programmes designed for the everyday effects of cancer, from changes in appearance to emotional, physical, and confidence shifts. Expert Q&As, podcasts, and on-demand videos are available too, offering support whenever it’s needed.

Cancer Support New Zealand also provides access to a range of resources to support you, including guidance on work, finances, and support for friends and whānau. You’ll also find links to trusted support organisations and real stories from others, offering insight, reassurance, and a clearer sense of what to expect.

Click hereto find out about the programmes they run and the resources available.

  • 14 August Cancer Nurses Day

    Mid-October Northland Support Group.

Understanding Head and Neck Lymphedema

A recent article from the American Cancer Society highlights an important but often overlooked side effect of head and neck cancer treatment — head and neck lymphedema.

Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked. In people affected by head and neck cancer, this can happen after surgery, radiation therapy, or other treatments that affect lymph nodes and tissues in the head and neck area.

The article explains that swelling may occur externally in the face, neck, or under the chin, but it can also happen internally in areas such as the throat or mouth. Symptoms can include tightness, discomfort, difficulty swallowing, changes to speech or breathing, and reduced movement in the neck or jaw.

The American Cancer Society notes that many people are not warned about lymphedema before treatment, meaning some patients may not recognise the symptoms when they appear. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because untreated lymphedema can become more difficult to manage over time.

Treatment may include specialised physiotherapy, massage techniques known as manual lymph drainage, exercises, compression garments, skin care, and self-management strategies. The article also highlights the important role that speech language therapists and lymphedema specialists can play in supporting recovery and quality of life.

Importantly, the article reminds people they should speak with their treatment team if they notice swelling, tightness, or changes after treatment. Support and treatment options are available, and many people can improve their symptoms with appropriate care.

The full article is available on the American Cancer Society website.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/what-is-head-and-neck-lymphedema.html
Here is also a link to a video demonstrating some self-drainage massage. Try to use a very gentle pressure; just a soft, gentle stroking is more effective - more isn't more! https://youtu.be/_5mJVNDsYfc?si=ftO2Z4028bmif7fj

More Support

  • CanConnect - West Cancer Group meets on the second Thursday of each month 9.30 am to 11.30 pm at the Opanuku Studio, Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson.
    The meeting is for all those affected by cancer, patients and their supporters.

    An engaging and supportive group who meet to learn and connect. Each month has a different wellbeing topic (with guest speakers). Following that, we connect over gentle movement and a cup of tea. If movement is hard for you, we have other great (non-walking) alternatives too.

  • Dove House: Holistic Support for People Affected by Cancer

    Dove Hospice & Wellness offers a wide range of supportive services for people living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, as well as for carers, families, and whānau. Based in Auckland, Dove House focuses on supporting emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing alongside medical treatment.

    Services include nursing and medical support, counselling for individuals, couples, and families, physiotherapy, and a variety of holistic therapies such as oncology massage, Reiki, relaxation therapy, acupuncture, meditation, chair yoga, and lymphoedema management. These services are designed to help people manage the side effects of treatment, reduce stress, and improve quality of life.

    Dove House also provides support groups for patients, carers, and people who are bereaved, creating opportunities for connection and shared understanding with others facing similar experiences. Workshops and education sessions are offered to help people build practical coping strategies and wellbeing skills during and after treatment.

    For those unable to travel, Dove offers a mobile therapy service that brings supportive therapies into people’s homes. Dove Wing, the organisation’s inpatient unit, also provides respite and palliative care for people needing more intensive support.

    Importantly, Dove Hospice & Wellness emphasises that hospice support is not only for end-of-life care. Their services are available to support people at many different stages of illness, including those undergoing treatment, recovering, or living with long-term conditions. The organisation’s approach is centred on helping people and their whānau feel supported, connected, and cared for throughout their journey. dovehospice.org.nz

A word from our Chair

Kia ora koutou,

You may have noticed that our newsletter is a little later than usual. Thank you for being so patient.

Like many in our community, I am currently undergoing treatment myself, and it has reminded me just how demanding the cancer journey can be. It has also allowed me to experience our health services from the patient's perspective and to see, first hand, the extraordinary commitment of the health professionals who care for us every day.

Despite the pressures they face, I have witnessed skill, compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication. While there are always opportunities to improve our health system, it is important to acknowledge the people who turn up every day and do their very best for patients and whānau.

This experience has strengthened my resolve to continue advocating for better care, better support, and better outcomes for everyone affected by head and neck cancer.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our Trust and for being such an important part of this community.

Ngā mihi,

Diana Ayling
Chair
Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust

Another way to join a Support Group

Want to do something different than Facebook?

We know Facebook isn’t for everyone — and sometimes you just want something simpler, more private, and easier to keep up with.

That’s why we’ve created a WhatsApp group for our community 💚

It’s a space for real-time connection, quick check-ins, and support when you need it most — without the noise of social media. Whether you prefer reading quietly or joining the conversation, you’re very welcome.

If you’ve been looking for a more personal way to stay connected, this might be the right fit for you.

https://www.headandneck.org.nz/connect-with-us




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Head & Neck Cancer Support Network Trust Community News May 2026