New Zealand’s cancer survival rates continue to lag behind those of Australia, but a leading oncologist believes a bold new vision could transform cancer care and research over the next decade.
Associate Professor Ben Lawrence has been appointed the inaugural Head of the University of Auckland’s new Department of Cancer Sciences, bringing together clinicians, researchers and community partners with the goal of establishing New Zealand’s first comprehensive cancer centre.
Lawrence has stepped down as Clinical Lead of Oncology at Auckland City Hospital to take up the role, while continuing to treat patients two days each week. His ambition is to create an integrated centre that combines world-class research, cutting-edge treatments and patient care under one roof.
He says New Zealand has exceptional cancer specialists and researchers but lacks the infrastructure to fully harness their expertise.
A New Vision for Cancer Care
The proposed cancer centre would unite every stage of cancer care, from prevention and early detection through to laboratory research, clinical trials and personalised treatment.
Lawrence believes bringing researchers and clinicians together will improve outcomes for patients by ensuring scientific discoveries are translated more quickly into clinical practice.
The centre would also expand opportunities for New Zealanders to participate in clinical trials, giving patients earlier access to emerging therapies while strengthening the country’s contribution to global cancer research.
He says international evidence consistently shows patients achieve better outcomes in hospitals that actively participate in research, while researchers produce stronger science when working alongside clinicians caring for patients every day.
Addressing a Funding Gap
Lawrence says New Zealand continues to invest less in cancer medicines and cancer research than many comparable OECD countries.
He believes significant philanthropic investment, alongside government support, will be essential if New Zealand is to establish a comprehensive cancer centre capable of matching international best practice.
The initiative represents one of the most ambitious cancer research projects proposed in New Zealand and aims to improve access to innovative treatments while helping close survival gaps with Australia and other developed nations.
A Career Dedicated to Better Treatments
Lawrence has already played a pivotal role in improving cancer care across Aotearoa.
In 2013, alongside Professor Cris Print, he established NETwork!, bringing together more than 100 cancer clinicians nationwide to improve treatment for patients with neuroendocrine cancers.
The collaboration helped introduce Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) to New Zealand in 2021, providing patients with a more targeted treatment option that can control neuroendocrine cancers while reducing many of the side effects associated with older therapies.
More recently, he founded the Molecular Tumour Board, bringing scientists and clinicians together to develop personalised treatment plans based on the genetic characteristics of individual cancers.
His contributions have also included advising the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand, serving as President of the New Zealand Society for Oncology and holding leadership roles with organisations including the Cancer Society Auckland Northland, the Gut Cancer Foundation and Neuroendocrine Cancer New Zealand.
Many New Zealanders also know Lawrence through his work alongside comedian Dai Henwood in the documentary Live and Let Dai, which chronicled Henwood’s journey with stage-four bowel cancer.
A Personal Mission
Lawrence’s decision to specialise in oncology was shaped by personal tragedy.
He lost several close family members to cancer, including his grandfather to lung cancer, his grandmother to bowel cancer, an aunt to breast cancer and, while studying medicine at the University of Auckland, his father to brain cancer.
Those experiences reinforced his determination to improve treatment options for future generations.
Following a fellowship at Yale University in the United States, he built an international reputation specialising in gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine cancers, with much of his research focused on identifying the genetic mutations driving tumour growth and developing targeted therapies.
Closing the Equity Gap for Māori
Lawrence says one of the most urgent challenges facing New Zealand is addressing the significant inequities experienced by Māori.
Māori continue to have higher rates of many cancers, are often diagnosed later and experience poorer outcomes than non-Māori.
He argues these disparities reflect both health system inequities and gaps in research, making them a challenge for the country’s healthcare system as well as its universities.
Improving screening, earlier diagnosis, culturally appropriate care and increasing Māori participation in cancer research will all be critical if New Zealand is to achieve equitable outcomes.
For Māori communities, reducing cancer inequities remains central to achieving Pae Ora – healthy futures, with kaupapa Māori providers continuing to advocate for services designed by Māori, for Māori, alongside greater investment in prevention and early intervention.
Looking Ahead
Lawrence believes New Zealand has the talent to become a world leader in cancer care, provided the country is prepared to invest in the people and infrastructure needed to support innovation.
His long-term vision is for a comprehensive cancer centre that not only improves survival rates but also ensures every New Zealander, regardless of where they live or their background, has access to world-class cancer treatment.
As cancer remains one of Aotearoa’s leading causes of death, the establishment of the Department of Cancer Sciences marks an important step towards reshaping the country’s approach to research, treatment and patient care.
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #Cancer #CancerResearch #UniversityOfAuckland #BenLawrence #MāoriHealth #HealthEquity #Oncology #CancerCare #ClinicalTrials #PaeOra #PublicHealth #Aotearoa #CancerTreatment
