News & updates • Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

News & updates

Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.

Press release
“No good reason why free mammograms for 70-74 year olds can’t happen right now”
05 October 2022

“No good reason why free mammograms for 70-74 year olds can’t happen right now”

The Government has an opportunity to show leadership for women’s health this October by immediately raising the free breast screening age, says Justine Smyth, chair of BCFNZ.
Press release
Free breast screening for more NZ women will categorically save lives
04 October 2022

Free breast screening for more NZ women will categorically save lives

We welcome the National Party's commitment to raise the free screening age to 74 and now we want to see all other political parties make the same commitment.
Press release
Gordon MacLeod appointed as new BCFNZ trustee
20 July 2022

Gordon MacLeod appointed as new BCFNZ trustee

We've welcomed business leader Gordon MacLeod to our Board of Trustees.
Press release
Pharmac review: "How much improvement can be achieved is questionable"
01 June 2022

Pharmac review: "How much improvement can be achieved is questionable"

The Government has accepted most of the findings from Pharmac's independent review, but we question how much improvement can actually be achieved.
Press release
Breast screening review must address the mammogram backlog
25 May 2022

Breast screening review must address the mammogram backlog

Health NZ’s review is an acknowledgement of the crucial role of screening in woman's health, but it must include a plan to clear the mammogram backlog.
Press release
Budget 2022 lets down the women of NZ
20 May 2022

Budget 2022 lets down the women of NZ

We're deeply disappointed by the Government's 2022 Budget, which has failed to deliver the $15m we've been asking for to clear the mammogram backlog urgently.
Press release
“The future of breast screening is on a knife-edge”, MPs hear at Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Parliament today
12 May 2022

“The future of breast screening is on a knife-edge”, MPs hear at Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Parliament today

One week before the Government's Budget, we held a Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Parliament, calling $15m of targeted funding to clear the mammogram backlog.
Press release
Breast cancer diagnoses are not “keeping pace with what we’ve seen in the past”
30 March 2022

Breast cancer diagnoses are not “keeping pace with what we’ve seen in the past”

The Prime Minister has claimed levels of cancer diagnoses appear to have “recovered” after being impacted by Covid lockdowns over the last two years. We disagree.
Press release
New BCFNZ-funded nurse making a difference in Canterbury
09 March 2022

New BCFNZ-funded nurse making a difference in Canterbury

Meet Katherine King, Canterbury's first oncology clinical nurse specialist dedicated to breast cancer.
Press release
Breast cancer survival laid bare in new report
04 February 2022

Breast cancer survival laid bare in new report

We've published a report on the most comprehensive review ever conducted on breast cancer in NZ. It shows an impressive improvement in five-year survival rates. But 10-year survival is much lower, and the stats are worse for Māori, Pasifika and younger women.
Press release
10,600 New Zealanders call for urgent action on breast screening
09 December 2021

10,600 New Zealanders call for urgent action on breast screening

We've delivered our Missing Women petition to ACT's Brooke van Velden. More than 10,600 people signed it, calling for the Government to make sure women can access life-saving mammograms.
Press release
Mt Eden x Laken Whitecliffe collab for breast cancer
01 December 2021

Mt Eden x Laken Whitecliffe collab for breast cancer

Auckland DJ Mt Eden and artist Laken Whitecliffe have teamed up to create a music video and artwork as a fundraiser for the Foundation.
Press release
133 MISSING WOMEN: Breast cancer cases going undetected because of Covid-19
14 October 2021

133 MISSING WOMEN: Breast cancer cases going undetected because of Covid-19

At least 133 women across Aotearoa New Zealand have no idea they have breast cancer right now, warns Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Take action by signing our petition!
Press release
Wāhine toa star in new breast cancer campaign using the power of poetry
03 October 2021

Wāhine toa star in new breast cancer campaign using the power of poetry

Spoken word poets Ngā Hinepūkōrero have teamed up with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to release a new poem highlighting the importance of mammograms this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Press release
New Zealand turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
29 September 2021

New Zealand turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

More than 30 landmarks and prominent buildings across Aotearoa New Zealand are lighting up in pink this October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Press release
ABCpro making a difference for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer
12 August 2021

ABCpro making a difference for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer

Joy and Huia are taking part in the pilot of ABCpro, a new telehealth nursing service we've launched at Waikato Hospital. They speak out about how ABCpro is making a huge difference in their lives
Press release
Jacinda Ardern artwork up for grabs to raise funds for breast cancer
13 May 2021

Jacinda Ardern artwork up for grabs to raise funds for breast cancer

The Port Waikato Pink Ribbon Breakfast Team is hoping they'll raise thousands for BCFNZ through the auction of a framed picture drawn and signed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Press release
New funding for breast screening programme an "excellent step forward"
09 May 2021

New funding for breast screening programme an "excellent step forward"

The Government has announced a $55.6 million upgrade for the national breast screening programme's IT system, which means more women should be able to access free mammograms.
Press release
Pharmac review doesn’t go far enough
02 March 2021

Pharmac review doesn’t go far enough

The Government has announced it will conduct an independent review into Pharmac. We're disappointed that it doesn't go far enough - without increased funding, NZ will continue to lag behind when it comes to accessing new drugs.
Press release
Record $1 million investment from BCFNZ for new diagnostic breast service
12 February 2021

Record $1 million investment from BCFNZ for new diagnostic breast service

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has partnered with Waitematā District Health Board to build a new diagnostic breast service which will radically improve the way patients are assessed and treated.
Press release
NZ’s five-year survival goal not good enough, says Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
03 February 2021

NZ’s five-year survival goal not good enough, says Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

Today’s World Health Organisation announcement that breast cancer is now the most common cancer worldwide is a timely reminder that cancer should be top of the Ministry of Health’s investment priorities.
Press release
Auckland woman to run 12 half marathons in 2021 for breast cancer
27 January 2021

Auckland woman to run 12 half marathons in 2021 for breast cancer

Nadine is planning to run a half marathon every month in 2021 to raise funds for breast cancer and celebrate the resilience and strength of women who have been through breast cancer, like her mum Laural.
Press release
“It’s an honour to be able to do something to give back”
25 January 2021

“It’s an honour to be able to do something to give back”

A woman living with incurable breast cancer is volunteering at the NZ House & Garden Tours as a way to give back for the support she's received.
Press release
$700,000 boost for NZ scientists at the forefront of tackling breast cancer
13 January 2021

$700,000 boost for NZ scientists at the forefront of tackling breast cancer

Breast Cancer Foundation is helping to fund more than $728,000 for three ground-breaking projects which hope to improve the lives of Kiwis affected by breast cancer and prevent further deaths.