Building connections across Australia

Thanks to support from the Cancer Australia Supporting People with Cancer Grant, HANCA has once again been on the road, continuing our national engagement program with patients, carers and health professionals around the country.

After visiting Tasmania and South Australia in 2025, Western Australia was our next stop, with members of the Head and Neck Cancer Helpline team meeting with consumers and clinicians at services including Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Cancer Council WA and GenesisCare.

These visits provide an invaluable opportunity to hear directly about the experiences of people affected by Head and Neck Cancer, better understand local service needs, identify gaps in information and support, and strengthen relationships with the clinicians caring for patients every day. The insights gained help shape and improve HANCA's resources, expand our national support and services database, and enhance awareness of referral pathways so that more patients and families can access the information and support they need, when they need it.

With Western Australia now complete, the roadshow will finish in 2027 with a visit to the Northern Territory, ensuring we maintain a strong national presence and continue listening to communities across Australia.

Engaging cancer nurses across Australia

The team also attended the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) Annual Congress, one of the country's largest cancer nursing conferences, which brought together more than 700 delegates from across Australia to learn, collaborate and share best practice in cancer care.

In addition to exhibiting at the Congress, HANCA Helpline Nurse, Faye Nucup, presented the latest results from our Head and Neck Cancer Helpline, highlighting the growing demand for information, support and navigation services for people affected by Head and Neck Cancer. The event provided an important opportunity to raise awareness of the Helpline and the role HANCA plays in helping close gaps in care, particularly during treatment and recovery.

Connecting directly with nurses and other health professionals is essential to ensuring more patients and families are made aware of the support available through HANCA and can access the right information and services when they need them.

Connecting with the global Head and Neck Cancer community

Head and Neck Cancer Australia was proud to participate in the 8th World Congress of the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS), held in conjunction with the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society in Brisbane. The congress brought together more than 1,100 clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world to share the latest developments in Head and Neck Cancer research and survivorship.

 For the first time, HANCA had its own stand at the congress, providing a dedicated space to showcase our work, connect with the clinical community and share resources that support people affected by Head and Neck Cancer.

 The team presented in three sessions on the latest updates from HANCA, our facial prosthetics advocacy, and an update on the specialist Head and Neck Cancer Helpline. Opportunities at national conferences help strengthen referral pathways with healthcare professionals, and ensure more patients and families know where to find trusted information and support.