Head and Neck Cancer Australia

Head and Neck Cancer Australia The only national Australian charity providing education, support & advocacy for Head & Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer Australia is the only national charity dedicated to providing education and support to people living with head and neck cancer, caregivers, family and health professionals. Head and Neck Cancer Australia's mission is to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by head and neck cancer through education and access to support and to raise awareness of head and neck cancer nationally.

When HANCA first found out that Fiona Hogarth was being joined by her extended family for the City2Surf on 9 August we w...
13/08/2026

When HANCA first found out that Fiona Hogarth was being joined by her extended family for the City2Surf on 9 August we were absolutely excited for her and to see the wonderful support they received by their community of family and friends to raise $12,062! What a memorable family day and the outfits she made and organised for her adorable grandchildren was a standout! Fiona shared:

"I was diagnosed with Nead and Neck Cancer of the tongue in September 2019 and had 7 weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. I really appreciated the resources I found on the HANCA (Beyond Five as it was then) and found it very helpful.

In September 2025, 6 weeks before a big Japan trip for my 60th birthday I was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer now in my lungs. I have had chemotherapy and immunotherapy. I am on a clinical trial although it has been put on hold for the moment. I feel good and am enjoying life.

My wonderful family and I walked together in the City2Surf so we could raise awareness for HANCA, and I really want to raise awareness of Head and Neck Cancers and hope that with the money my family and I raised will help provide information and assistance to people who need it."

Our very best wishes and thanks to you Fiona and to your wonderful family for all your generous support for the Head and Neck Cancer community.

Today on Cancer Nurses Day (13 August) we celebrate the incredible nurses who make up team HANCA and are part of the spe...
13/08/2026

Today on Cancer Nurses Day (13 August) we celebrate the incredible nurses who make up team HANCA and are part of the specialist Head and Neck Cancer Helpline.

Our team of HNC nurses, Belinda, Faye, Megan and Yohanah, cover a broad spectrum of specialties. Their expertise and understanding provide vital support to people affected by Head and Neck Cancer at every stage of their journey.

Expert care is just a phone call away, call the specialist Head and Neck Cancer Helpline: on 1300 424 848 or visit our website to get in touch another way.

Yesterday, HANCA brought together patients, clinicians, policymakers and advocates at Parliament House to shine a light ...
13/08/2026

Yesterday, HANCA brought together patients, clinicians, policymakers and advocates at Parliament House to shine a light on the missing piece of the puzzle in Head and Neck Cancer care.

Our panel discussion, led by Julie Mccrossin AM, was incredibly powerful, with patients sharing their experiences firsthand and highlighting the urgent need for better access to external facial prosthetics nationally.

As patient advocate Chris Sequeira from Sydney so aptly put, the issue is “as plain as the nose on your face.”

We were grateful to be joined by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, alongside representatives from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Cancer Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Head & Neck Cancer Society - anzhncs, Australian Dental Association, Cancer Council Australia, Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the wonderful Canberra Hospital HNC support group, and leading Head and Neck Cancer clinicians from across Australia.

Attendees also heard from HANCA Board Chair and Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr Matthew Magarey, reinforced that facial prosthetics are not 'cosmetic' or a 'nice finishing touch' but an essential part of recovery and survivorship for anyone who has had part of their face removed as a result of cancer.

Dr Magarey also reinforced that the evidence has been gathered and the need is understood following the recently published KPMG Independent review of cancer prostheses equity in Australia. What is missing now is a commitment from the Federal Government to close this significant funding gap and fund the missing piece of the puzzle.

The momentum continues, with strong media coverage across The Canberra Times, Nine News and ABC Radio National, helping to bring this important issue to a wider audience. We look forward to continuing conversations with the Department of Health to secure funding for a national External Facial Prosthetic Funding Scheme.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, shared their story, and helped make this event such a success. Read more: https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/news/facial-prosthetic-funding-closing-a-critical-gap-in-care/

It's time to face up to the gap in Head and Neck Cancer care. Tomorrow we're taking the conversation to Parliament House...
11/08/2026

It's time to face up to the gap in Head and Neck Cancer care. Tomorrow we're taking the conversation to Parliament House in Canberra.

Our parliamentary morning tea, The Missing Piece of the Puzzle, will bring together patients, clinicians, advocates and decision-makers to highlight the urgent need for a nationally funded facial prosthetics program for people following life-saving surgery for Head and Neck Cancer. The event will be livestreamed for all to watch from 10.15am. Click on the link to get a notification as soon as we're live: https://www.youtube.com/live/LwkEizzPpAg

A special thank you to Julie McCrossin AM, respected broadcaster, advocate and Head and Neck Cancer survivor, for hosting as our MC. We are also grateful to patient representatives Tracey David, Ben Hale and Chris Sequeira for generously sharing their personal stories, and to anaplastologist Sophie Fleming and HANCA Chair and Head and Neck Cancer surgeon Dr Matthew Magarey for sharing their clinical expertise and insights to help shine a light on this critical gap in funding care.

On Sunday, HANCA CEO Nadia Rosin joined 2GB to discuss the event and the changes needed to ensure Australians living with Head and Neck Cancer can access the support they need to feel whole again.
🎙️ Listen to her radio interview here: https://omny.fm/shows/2gb-weekends/health-cancer-survivors-call-for-prosthetic-funding

Thank you to Tour de Cure for their ongoing support of Head and Neck Cancer Australia. We are especially grateful for th...
06/08/2026

Thank you to Tour de Cure for their ongoing support of Head and Neck Cancer Australia. We are especially grateful for their recent grant of $30,000, which has helped us continue to provide vital support, information and resources to people affected by Head and Neck Cancer across Australia.

Access to trusted, accurate and up-to-date information is critical for patients and families navigating diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Tour de Cure's support helps ensure Australians impacted by Head and Neck Cancer can access the information they need to make informed decisions and feel supported throughout their journey.

Thank you Tour de Cure.

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPENHead and Neck Cancer Australia are joining with Inspired Adventures for an unforgettable trek ...
06/08/2026

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Head and Neck Cancer Australia are joining with Inspired Adventures for an unforgettable trek in Arrernte Country along the iconic Larapinta Trail from 4-7 June 2027.

Over five incredible days, you'll enjoy two nights in Alice Springs and three days walking through the breathtaking landscapes of Australia's Red Centre. You’ll witness a spectacular sunrise from the summit of Mount Sonder, camp beneath star-filled skies for two nights, and connect with a group of people united by a shared purpose.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or looking for your next meaningful challenge, this adventure offers the chance to push your limits while making a real difference in raising awareness and funds for Head and Neck Cancer.

Click on the link below for more information, pricing and to register. https://inspiredadventures.com.au/event/hanca-larapinta-2027/

Places are limited!

We'd like to welcome two new members to the Head and Neck Cancer Australia team!Jessica has joined our Head and Neck Can...
04/08/2026

We'd like to welcome two new members to the Head and Neck Cancer Australia team!

Jessica has joined our Head and Neck Cancer Helpline as a Speech Pathologist. She has supported people with Head and Neck Cancer over the past 15 years through diagnosis, surgery and treatment, through to survivorship, with a particular interest in supporting people living with a laryngectomy.

Jacqueline has joined the HNC Helpline as an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Her background spans over nine years’ specialising in Head and Neck Cancer across surgical, radiation and medical oncology, as well as survivorship and palliative care. She has advanced skills in enteral nutrition and gastrostomy management and is a PEG credentialled dietitian, with experience in the management of all feeding tube types.

Between them, Jess and Jacq bring a broad range of clinical experience to the HNC Helpline and will be supporting people affected by Head and Neck Cancer with practical advice and guidance.

Welcome to the team, Jess and Jacq!

If you or someone you know has been affected by Head and Neck Cancer, we're here to help. Click on the link below to learn more about the HNC Helpline and how to get in touch. https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/how-can-we-help/

Since HANCA launched ‘Soup for the Soul’ in 2018, Nick Pavlakis, owner of Medley Kangaroo Point restaurant in Brisbane, ...
30/07/2026

Since HANCA launched ‘Soup for the Soul’ in 2018, Nick Pavlakis, owner of Medley Kangaroo Point restaurant in Brisbane, has generously hosted events in collaboration with the Brisbane Head and Neck Cancer Support Group, and raised over $8,000 for HANCA.

With support from Marty Doyle (Brisbane Support Group Coordinator, HANCA Ambassador, and winner of the Excellence in Patient Advocacy award at the 2025 Head and Neck Cancer Gala event), along with Head and Neck Cancer community member Judy Lowry, Nick said: “We were absolutely delighted to once again host and raise funds for HANCA through our 2026 Soup for the Soul™ event at Medley Kangaroo Point. We truly value our longstanding relationship with HANCA and look forward to our continued support for such an important cause. I’m thrilled to share that through our set menu lunch sales, picnic hamper raffle and donations, this year we raised a total of $1,420!”

From Team HANCA, thank you Nick, Marty, Judy, and the Brisbane Head and Neck Cancer Support Group.

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Level 3, 55 Pyrmont Bridge Road
Pyrmont, NSW
2009

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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