Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
Blog
05 October 2026
Why we’re turning the shower into a breast-checking reminder, with a little help from Taika Waititi
When we started developing our new breast health campaign, there was one question we kept coming back to: if women already know checking their breasts is important, why aren’t more of us doing it regularly?
That question ultimately shaped Save Your Life. Rinse. Repeat., our new national campaign designed to make breast checking easier to remember by connecting it with something women already do: have a shower.
Blog
02 October 2026
How the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register could help improve care for people with DCIS
Being told you have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) can be confusing. The word "carcinoma" may make people think they have invasive breast cancer. DCIS is different.
News
28 September 2026
Aotearoa shines a pink light on breast cancer this October
From city landmarks to small-town icons, buildings and public spaces across Aotearoa are shining pink this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Blog
23 September 2026
From campaign to change: The story behind extending breast screening to age 74
Every few weeks, former Health Minister Dr Shane Reti receives unexpected emails from New Zealanders who have felt the impact of the expanded free breast screening programme.
Some write to say it saved their mother’s life. Others say it saved their wife’s life, or their own.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press - Spring 2026
PDF format - 1.7mb
Blog
07 September 2026
We can't prevent breast cancer. But we can stop it killing so many wāhine.
Breast cancer isn't preventable the way some cancers are, but dying from it doesn't have to be inevitable either. Discover why early detection, faster diagnosis and funded medicines are the real levers for saving lives, and how your support helps us take our three asks straight to the next Government.
Blog
04 September 2026
Could data predict if breast cancer will return?
Every year, thousands of New Zealanders have their breast cancer details added to Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae – Breast Cancer Foundation National Register. The Register is a taonga, and holds data gifted by over 60,000 breast cancer patients across Aotearoa, past and present. This data is held securely and is anonymised for use in research, to audit care, to help plan breast cancer services, and to identify where further progress is needed to improve the lives of everyone affected by breast cancer.
News
26 August 2026
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is pushing for consultation to end genetic discrimination in insurance
On 19 August, Against Genetic Discrimination in Aotearoa (AGenDA) coalitions's Fay Sowerby and Professor Andrew Shelling presented to Parliament's Health Select Committee, calling for consultation on genetic discrimination in insurance to begin before the end of 2026. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ supports their call. The law already allows it, and New Zealanders shouldn't have to choose between a life-saving genetic test and affordable insurance.
Press release
26 August 2026
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ appoints Vanessa Sorenson as new Chief Executive
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has appointed highly experienced New Zealand business and technology leader Vanessa Sorenson as its new Chief Executive.
Blog
25 August 2026
A personal message from me: Ah-Leen Rayner farewells Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
After five very special years as Chief Executive, I want to let you know that this is my last week at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
Blog
25 July 2026
The Forbidden Pharmacy: making medicines access impossible to ignore
This July, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ joined 16 other patient organisations to create the Forbidden Pharmacy: a physical representation of New Zealanders locked out of vital, life-saving medicines.
Blog
07 July 2026
The important role of General Practitioners in breast cancer care
When people think about breast cancer treatment, oncologists, surgeons, and specialist teams may come to mind. Yet recent New Zealand research, highlighted a fundamental reality: for many cancer patients, one of the most important people in their healthcare journey is a General Practitioner (GP).
Press release
03 June 2026
Charity tax change risks undermining vital breast cancer support
A change to charity tax rules announced in the Government's Budget last week could reduce major charitable giving, at a time when demand for our vital programmes is growing.
News
28 May 2026
Budget 2026 keeps Pharmac afloat, but leaves breast cancer patients waiting
The Government’s Budget announcement today of an additional $54 million for Pharmac over four years falls short of what’s needed to improve access to essential breast cancer medicines.
Press release
25 May 2026
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ pays tribute to Dame Jools Topp
We're deeply saddened by the passing of Dame Jools Topp, a treasured Kiwi icon whose openness about her breast cancer experience helped to make conversations about breast cancer more open and visible.
Blog
18 May 2026
How Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM) could help detect breast cancer earlier in women with dense breasts
Breast density is a challenging factor in breast cancer screening effectiveness. Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM) is a type of breast imaging that uses both a standard mammogram and a special dye injected into the bloodstream.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press - Autumn 2026
PDF format - 0.9mb
Press release
07 May 2026
Rami Rahal joins Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, with focus on eliminating survival disparities
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rami Rahal, the former chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency, to its Board of Trustees.
News
13 April 2026
What the expansion of cancer infusion services means for people with breast cancer
The Government has announced a nationwide expansion of community infusion services is underway, which will result in thousands more New Zealanders being able to access cancer treatment closer to home.
Press release
03 March 2026
World TNBC Day: Fund new treatments to stop breast cancer becoming incurable
On World Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day, we're urging the Government to increase funding for cancer treatments so people with early-stage TNBC can access the treatment they need.
Blog
27 February 2026
Cancer funding shortfalls are more than a moral and medical failure
The current medicines crisis is often framed as a moral issue: people are missing out on life-saving drugs, and lives are quite literally at stake. That is true. But it’s only half the story. Failing to properly invest in modern cancer medicines is also a failure of economic logic.
Blog
13 February 2026
AI could transform breast screening: What it means for women in NZ
As New Zealand considers AI for breast screening, we look at what global evidence tells us, how it could support radiologists, and why we must focus on safe, equitable implementation that improves access and outcomes for all women.
Press release
04 February 2026
New research urges a rethink of advanced breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand
Our new report shows there has been progress in advanced breast cancer care, but this isn't reaching everyone. We're asking the health system for a shift in mindset so New Zealanders are given the best opportunity to live and live well after an ABC diagnosis.
Blog
28 October 2025
Your first mammogram could be life saving
When it comes to breast cancer, timing matters. A mammogram can pick up tiny changes in breast tissue long before a lump is felt, giving treatment the best possible chance of success. But new research shows it’s not just having mammograms that matters it’s whether you go to your very first one.