Rehumanising Cancer Care

New research published in The Lancet Oncology Commission: The Human Crisis in Cancer shines a stark light on what many people already know deeply: while science has made remarkable progress, the human experience of cancer care has not kept pace. The report finds that across the world, people living with cancer continue to feel unheard, unsupported, and at times even harmed by systems that prioritise efficiency and technology over connection, compassion, and dignity. It calls this imbalance the human crisis of cancer, a global failure not of medicine, but of meaning, presence, and relational care.

At Look Good Feel Better, we exist to help restore those human dimensions, to bring connection, confidence, and care back into the experience of cancer. Our free classes and resources across Aotearoa support the emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing of people facing cancer, at every stage and for every type. Whether it’s rebuilding confidence after hair loss, easing anxiety before treatment, or rediscovering strength through movement and mindfulness, each session offers a moment to feel seen, heard, and supported, a small but powerful act of rehumanising care.

The Lancet Commission highlights that person-centred and psychosocial care are among the most cost-effective and scalable ways to reduce suffering, yet remain under-resourced globally. This is exactly where our work fits, complementing medical treatment with accessible, compassionate, community-based support. We believe, as the Commission concludes, that dignity, connection, and presence are not sentimental extras, but essential measures of good cancer care. Through every class, podcast, and conversation, we’re helping people across Aotearoa face cancer with confidence and with humanity at the heart.