Liam Butler interviews Claire Austin Chief Executive of the Cancer Society.

Liam Butler

The Cancer Society is the leading cancer patient advocate in New Zealand, providing a voice on all kinds of issues including cancer detection and treatment. The work of the Cancer Society includes the provision of Support Services, Research, Information and Health Promotion.

Throughout her career Claire has held a number of national and international strategic, governance and health policy advisory roles. These include being a member of the New Zealand Minister of Health's Advisory Council focusing upon the implementation of the New Zealand Primary Care Strategy, International Federation on Ageing Advisor and New Zealand Health Strategy expert reference group. She has also provided advice to a range of Australian, New Zealand and United Nations policy makers and organisations and the New Zealand Health Workforce Advisory Committee.

Question One

What are some of the challenges for the Cancer Society as it serves rural New Zealand?

The challenges facing rural people and communities are enormous and we have an ongoing commitment to make sure that they get the care they need, when they need it. Like many service organisations the Cancer Society does not always have the people-power to reach everywhere in New Zealand. However, we have a number of services rural people can access.

The Cancer Information Helpline 0800 226 237 is a free service, Monday to Friday (9-5pm) with an out-of-hours office answer-phone. Calls are answered by an experienced cancer nurse.

CancerChatNZ offers an on-line forum connecting people through their experience with cancer. It doesn't matter where people live in New Zealand - access to the internet is all that is required.

Cancer Connect NZ is a free support service which provides information, and the opportunity to talk to someone who has gone through a similar experience to your own. It doesn't matter where you live in New Zealand - access to a phone to a phone is all that is required.

Finally, people can E-mail info@cancersoc.org.nz our experienced cancer nurses with any questions they may have relating to cancer or our services.

Question Two

Claire, we are becoming increasingly aware that older people can improve their diet and exercise to reduce the risk of cancer. Can you explain a bit more about this?

Dietary factors are estimated to account for approximately 30 percent of cancers in industrialised countries - making diet second only to tobacco as a theoretically preventable cause of cancer.

There is convincing evidence that being overweight and alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing some cancers, so being physically active on a regular basis, limiting alcohol and increasing fruit and vegetable intake is highly recommended!

A leaflet Ten tips to reduce your cancer risk provides some guidelines for reducing cancer risk which are consistent with guidelines for cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention, as well as promoting general good health.

Question Three

What supports are there for an older person who wants to give up smoking to be a role model and for their own wellbeing?

The Cancer Society is a strong advocate for a Smokefree Aotearoa/New Zealand by 2025. Our health promoters around the country work with local bodies and other groups to create smoke-free public areas such as parks and playgrounds. This is a very successful programme and people all around the country are starting to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors without breathing second hand smoke. The Cancer Society is a member of the Smokefree Coalition which lobbies Government to introduce polices to make it easier for people to quit smoking - such as plain packaging.

In early December New Zealand celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the Smokefree Environments Act which banned smoking in places such as bars, restaurants, and school buildings.

The Cancer Society encourages smokers who want to quit to call Quitline - 0800 778 778. Staff members offer free advice and non-judgmental support to quit smoking. An advisor will talk through the three parts of the smoking addiction - chemical, emotional and habitual and through Quitline people can order subsidized nicotine patches, gum or lozenges - $5 for an 8 week supply.

Question Four

How does buying Sunscreen from www.cancernz.org.nz/products/ help the Cancer Society?

The National Office, based in Wellington, is also home to the society's commercial company Daffodil Enterprises, which is responsible for the development and marketing of a range of products, including sunscreen, sunglasses and hats, sold in retail stores to generate income for the Society. The Society uses the income to provide supportive care and information for people with cancer, their family/wh?nau, promote a healthy lifestyle for all and invest in cancer research.

Sunscreen is an important part of sun protection for all ages as Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand. Melanoma is the most serious type, and our rates are amongst the highest in the world. Skin cancer is largely preventable. Over 90% of all skin cancer cases are attributed to excess sun exposure. We encourage all New Zealanders to be SunSmart and to 'slip. slop, slap and wrap.'

A bit more about Claire Austin...

Claire's last position was as a consulting Principal with Sapere Research Group specialising in health workforce issues, primary and rural health care policy, health reform and service development, health practitioner regulation and health sector organisation strategy and change management.

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