Myra Barber

Myra Barber (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahungunu) is a 49-year-old cancer survivor who has become an advocate for early cancer detection within the Māori community. After discovering blood in her stool, she underwent a colonoscopy that revealed a tumor in her rectum, leading to extensive treatment including chemotherapy and surgery. Myra is passionate about raising awareness among younger Māori about the importance of screening for bowel cancer, emphasizing the need for proactive health measures, particularly given her family's history with the disease.