We’re excited to share the release of 16 Optimal Cancer Care Pathways (OCCPs) by Te Aho o Te Kahu – The Cancer Control Agency, including a dedicated pathway for sarcoma.
The OCCPs set out best practice guidance for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support of people affected by cancer. They are designed with the needs of patients and their whānau at the centre, and represent a major step towards delivering more equitable, timely, and high-quality cancer care across the motu.
We’re especially proud to see sarcoma included among these national care pathways. As a rare and often misunderstood cancer, sarcoma has long faced challenges of delayed diagnosis, limited access to expertise, and variation in care. This new pathway helps to address those challenges — offering a clear and consistent standard for how sarcoma should be recognised, managed, and treated throughout the health system.
Developed in partnership with clinicians, patients, and sector leaders, the OCCPs aim to:
- Identify centres of excellence and share knowledge
- Highlight gaps in care and areas for system improvement
- Reduce barriers and variations in access to services
- Support better planning and coordination of cancer care nationally
We acknowledge and thank everyone involved in developing these important resources — and celebrate what this means for people living with sarcoma in Aotearoa.
You can view the Optimal Cancer Care Pathways and supporting information via clicking on the image below or on Te Aho o Te Kahu website.
