Once someone has been diagnosed with cancer, we know that there are some difficult days ahead. The journey does not have to be walked alone.

There are local services available to help make things easier for the person with cancer and their whānau. No matter where you are on the cancer pathway there is always someone to connect with for support.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

 

The Cancer Kōrero booklet

The Cancer Kōrero booklet is written with Māori people in mind and includes sections on:

  • cancer definitions and terminology
  • how to reduce your risk of cancer
  • bowel screening
  • community supports.

Download the booklet here.

Community cancer support brochures

The Community Cancer Support brochures describe Kaupapa Māori cancer services in your region.

View the Community Cancer Support brochure for your area below:

Patient experience video: Chemotherapy

Oncology patient Thomas Ngaruhe shares his chemotherapy experience at Nelson Hospital in this video, so that other people may feel more informed and confident about chemotherapy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD64fnkfnSg&feature=youtu.be

Archdeacon Andy Joseph's story

An invitation to attend a community hui led Nelson Marlborough Health kaumātua, Archdeacon Andy Joseph, to his own diagnosis.

Andy arrived early, picked up a Cancer Kōrero booklet and as he read through a checklist of symptoms associated with prostate cancer tears welled up in his eyes. He realised he’d experienced them all in the past year.

Read Andy’s story here.

Buck Shelford's story

Former All Black Wayne 'Buck' Shelford shared his cancer journey at a Nelson event to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of early detection.

Buck emphasised the need for men to get checked when they have any suspicions that something is not right in their body. He also spoke about the attitudes that generally keep men from going to their doctor and how this needs to change if men are to lead by example for their families.

Watch’s Buck’s presentation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytoZuIzcV_Q&feature=youtu.be