Cancer specialists and patients say there is a need for more co- ordination of the care given to cancer patients.
A public meeting in Wellington has heard that an estimated 130,000 New Zealanders have survived cancer, but lack comprehensive follow-up care after the acute phase of their treatment is over.
Medical oncologist Bogda Koczwara, from Flinders University in Adelaide, is in New Zealand talking to cancer patients, doctors and others, at the invitation of the Cancer Society.
Professor Koczwara says that, thanks to better treatments and screening, there are 30 million cancer survivors worldwide and the number of people surviving is increasing by 2.5% a year.
However, she says survivors face risks, including of recurrence, second cancer and infertility, and a better approach is needed to prepare them to address their needs.
Patients say they are well supported by the Cancer Society, but frustrated over a lack of coordination, including between medical specialities.
The clinical director of the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre, Andrew Simpson, concedes there is room for improvement.