What the Research Tells Us About the Future of Cancer Support in Aotearoa

Cancer support in New Zealand is changing.

Advances in treatment mean more people are surviving cancer and living longer with cancer than ever before. While this represents a significant achievement, it also creates new challenges.

What does the research tell us about future needs?

The Ipsos Cancer Wellbeing Tracker, commissioned by Cancer Support New Zealand, points towards an emerging reality: the future needs of people affected by cancer extend far beyond medical treatment alone.

Many people continue to experience wellbeing challenges during treatment, after treatment and, for some, throughout long-term survivorship. Fatigue, emotional distress, workplace challenges and social isolation remain common experiences. Even 18 or more months after treatment ends, 47% of Cancer Sufferers still report fatigue and 30% still report an emotional impact.

At the same time, the research identifies actions and supports that contribute positively to wellbeing, including exercise, emotional support, social connection and practical self-management strategies.

Taken together, these findings point towards a broader model of cancer care—one that recognises the importance of both clinical and non-clinical support.

This is not about replacing healthcare services.

It is about complementing them.

How are health systems responding internationally?

Around the world, health systems are increasingly looking at how community organisations can help address wellbeing needs that fall outside traditional medical care. These organisations provide accessible, person-centred support that can be delivered before, during and after treatment.

This is particularly important for people who may face barriers to accessing specialist support, including those living outside major centres, people managing long-term side effects and those seeking support after active treatment ends.

The future of cancer support is likely to be more integrated, more personalised and more focused on helping people live well throughout the cancer experience.

The research reinforces something that many people affected by cancer already understand.

Cancer is not just a medical event.

It is a life event.

And supporting people through that experience requires more than treatment alone.

As New Zealand continues to respond to the growing impact of cancer, wellbeing support will have an increasingly important role to play in ensuring people are not only surviving cancer but living as well as possible through and beyond it.

The IPSOS Cancer Wellbeing Tracker reinforces a growing international understanding that quality cancer care extends beyond clinical treatment alone.