In the journey of overcoming cancer, survivors often face a multitude of challenges, not least of which is the physical aftermath of surgeries that can leave them without essential parts of their identity – their facial features. For many Australians, the battle doesn't end with the removal of a tumour; it continues as they seek to rebuild their lives and their faces. However, a significant obstacle stands in their way: the lack of government funding for facial prosthetics.



Unlike prosthetic limbs or breast implants, which receive government support, facial and neck prosthetics are not covered under Medicare, and private insurance often does not extend to these crucial devices. This leaves survivors like Tracey David, who lost her nose to squamous cell carcinoma, in a position where the cost of regaining a semblance of normalcy is prohibitively expensive.


Tracey's story is not unique. After her life-saving surgery, she faced the daunting prospect of living without a nose, which not only affected her self-esteem but also her willingness to engage socially, even with her own grandchildren. The cost of a facial prosthetic, which can include surgery for implanting magnets and the prosthesis itself, can range from $6,000 to $16,000 – a sum that is out of reach for many.



Mark Robinson, another survivor, faced a similar situation. After having his nose and part of his upper jaw removed, he described his prosthetic as 'a mechano set' that is attached with magnets. Fortunately, Mark was able to use his retirement savings to fund his prosthetic nose, but not everyone has that option.

The disparity in funding has prompted Head and Neck Cancer Australia to call on the federal government to establish a $13 million fund to provide prosthetics for the estimated 2,000 Australians who need them each year. This initiative would bring Australia in line with countries like the United Kingdom, where prosthetics are funded by the government or insurance, regardless of their location on the body.

Nadia Rosen, Chief Executive of Head and Neck Cancer Australia, emphasizes that the system should not discriminate against those who have lost parts of their face. The organization points to the External Breast Prosthesis Reimbursement Program as a model that could be adapted to meet the needs of head and neck cancer patients.



Sophie Fleming, an anaplastologist, outlines the intricate and personalized process of creating facial prosthetics, which involves taking impressions, sculpting, and custom color matching. The work is detailed and requires a high level of expertise, further underscoring the need for financial support for these life-changing devices.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has acknowledged the availability of Medicare rebates for surgical facial reconstruction but maintains that Medicare does not fund products or devices such as prosthetics for facial procedures. While some private insurers may offer funding, it is not a universal solution.

As the government considers a report that includes recommendations to identify barriers faced by cancer patients requiring rehabilitation, prosthetics, and implants, the voices of survivors like Tracey and Mark are crucial in highlighting the need for change.




Members of the Seniors Discount Club, this is where you can make a difference. By supporting the call for government funding of facial prosthetics, you can help ensure that survivors of head and neck cancer receive the support they need to fully recover, both physically and emotionally. Share your stories, write to your local representatives, and join the movement to change the game for facial prosthetics funding. Together, we can advocate for a system that recognizes the importance of restoring not just health but dignity and identity to those who have already endured so much.