Speaker Details

Ms Nyan Thit Tieu

Mrs. Nyan Thit Tieu, Founder and Chair of Sisters’ Cancer Support Group Inc., has devoted her life to education, community service, and multicultural advocacy. A retired Operations Manager of the NSW Adult Migrant English Service, Department of Education and Training, Thit’s career spans over 30 years, beginning as a Science Teacher at Lake Illawarra High School and later as an Adult ESL trainer, policy writer, and leader in delivering state and federal programs for newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

A Burmese Muslim who migrated to Australia in 1977, Thit’s lived experience as an immigrant and cancer survivor inspired her to establish Sisters’ Cancer Support Group Inc. (SCSG) in 2014. As the first multicultural peer cancer support group registered with Cancer Council and Breast Cancer Network Australia, SCSG supports culturally diverse women affected by cancer. Her leadership also secured Cancer Australia funding for the “Culturally Appropriate Cancer Health Improvement” (CACHI) project, promoting health literacy among refugees in Illawarra.

Thit played a vital role as a member of the NSW Cancer Plan Governance Committee in the development of the 2022–2027 NSW Cancer Plan. Her advocacy continues to shape cancer policies and improve equity for multicultural communities.

Her contributions extend to consumer engagement committees, academic research, and advocacy panels, including the ISLHD Advisory Council and Cancer Institute NSW’s Community and Consumer Advisory Panel. She champions cultural and religious harmony in Illawarra, founding Illawarra Women’s Interfaith Network and SWIFT cycling group.

Thit’s efforts have earned her numerous awards, including NSW Health Consumer Representative of the Year and Wollongong Senior Citizen of the Year. Her vision is to enhance cancer survivorship for multicultural communities through equity, access, and advocacy in collaboration with cancer care providers.