News & updates • Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

News & updates

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

Blog
Behind the scenes of clinical trials
18 October 2019

Behind the scenes of clinical trials

In a guest blog, Lou Clement from Cancer Trials New Zealand shares what it's like to work on a clinical trial.
Press release
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ launches virtual reality pilot trial
14 October 2019

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ launches virtual reality pilot trial

In a world first, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is testing the benefit of virtual reality for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Press release
World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day sees launch of new podcast series ‘Life with ABC’
14 October 2019

World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day sees launch of new podcast series ‘Life with ABC’

The first episode of a podcast series about advanced breast cancer has been released.
News
ABC problems “still here”, but there are signs of progress
13 October 2019

ABC problems “still here”, but there are signs of progress

One year after I’m Still Here – the investigation into advanced breast cancer care in New Zealand that shocked doctors and patients alike – there are signs of improvement.
News
Capital’s bikers gear up for breast cancer
07 October 2019

Capital’s bikers gear up for breast cancer

Hundreds of “pinked out” motorbikes, from scooters to hogs and trikes, are expected to take part in the annual Wellington Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride this Sunday.
Press release
New Zealand, please support tomorrow’s Pink Ribbon appeal
07 October 2019

New Zealand, please support tomorrow’s Pink Ribbon appeal

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is asking Kiwis to support its Pink Ribbon appeal tomorrow and Saturday.
Press release
Innovative research worth $700,000 to help beat breast cancer
07 October 2019

Innovative research worth $700,000 to help beat breast cancer

In the spotlight: tackling genetic resistance to drugs; a blood test to predict whether breast cancer will return; and cheaper, more accessible digital pathology
News
Pharmac Kadcyla funding confirmed; Breast Cancer Foundation welcomes less restricted access
07 October 2019

Pharmac Kadcyla funding confirmed; Breast Cancer Foundation welcomes less restricted access

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has applauded Pharmac’s confirmation today that it will fund Kadcyla for Kiwis with HER2+ advanced breast cancer (ABC) from December 1.
Blog
Everyone can be breast aware
07 October 2019

Everyone can be breast aware

With the news that Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, was treated for breast cancer earlier this year, it’s a timely reminder that men need to be breast aware too.
Press release
New service to help early breast cancer patients thrive in MidCentral
03 October 2019

New service to help early breast cancer patients thrive in MidCentral

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and MidCentral DHB are partnering to offer Thriving, a new support service.
Press release
New Breast Cancer Foundation app puts power in Kiwi women’s hands
01 October 2019

New Breast Cancer Foundation app puts power in Kiwi women’s hands

Pre Check, an innovative app from Breast Cancer Foundation NZ – launched to mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – will take women into a whole new world of breast health awareness.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press - Spring 2019

Pink Ribbon Press - Spring 2019

PDF format - 5.9mb
News
Thumbs-Up for government's cancer announcements
01 September 2019

Thumbs-Up for government's cancer announcements

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has given an overall thumbs-up to today’s spate of cancer-related announcements from the Ministry of Health and PHARMAC
News
Patients pulling together for change
22 August 2019

Patients pulling together for change

People with advanced breast cancer who speak publicly about their desperate plights are heroes.
Blog
Exercise – an important piece of the breast cancer puzzle
15 August 2019

Exercise – an important piece of the breast cancer puzzle

Exercise can often be the last thing on your mind when you’re going through breast cancer. But an increasing number of studies show that physical activity can help reduce breast cancer recurrence or death among survivors.
Blog
Aarti’s story
07 August 2019

Aarti’s story

I don’t have any risk factors - there is no family history, I don’t smoke, I maintain a fairly healthy lifestyle and breastfed both my babies. I was quite complacent in my thinking that I could get other cancers but that I would never get breast cancer - I didn’t fit the criteria at all.
News
Do the latest Pharmac minutes mean new hope for Kiwis with ABC?
04 August 2019

Do the latest Pharmac minutes mean new hope for Kiwis with ABC?

Pharmac's cancer treatments subcommittee has recommended CDK4/6 inhibitors (e.g. palbociclib / ribociclib) with a HIGH priority for funding.
Press release
Queenstown locals to learn from top breast cancer experts
25 July 2019

Queenstown locals to learn from top breast cancer experts

Top breast cancer surgeons are heading to Queenstown to share their knowledge with local patients, health professionals and the public at a free event held by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ on August 9.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
July 2019

July 2019

2019 research grants announced, return of Pink Star Walk and upcoming events, plus are Kiwi cancer patients getting a good deal?
Blog
Why is New Zealand so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to publicly funded access to medicine?
22 July 2019

Why is New Zealand so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to publicly funded access to medicine?

We spend 55% less than the OECD average on medicine and rank last of 20 OECD countries for market access to modern medicines. Pharmac prides itself on its negotiation skills and cost-effectiveness - but where is this leaving Kiwi cancer patients?
Blog
What about breast density?
04 July 2019

What about breast density?

Breast density is a bit of hot topic in breast cancer conversation. You may have recently heard that in the USA it’s now mandatory to notify women about their breast density when they receive their mammogram result. But, what does density have to do with your risk of breast cancer and how do you know if you have dense breasts in the first place?
Press release
Breast cancer chemo clinical trial now recruiting in five centres
27 June 2019

Breast cancer chemo clinical trial now recruiting in five centres

​A clinical trial that’s now recruiting patients in Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Wellington will test the ability of a cheap, widely available drug to prevent two of chemotherapy’s most unpleasant side-effects.
Press release
Breast Cancer Foundation to fund scalp cooling for breast cancer patients
10 June 2019

Breast Cancer Foundation to fund scalp cooling for breast cancer patients

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) has announced funding for up to 10 scalp cooling systems worth $500,000 in public hospitals around New Zealand.
Blog
10 things I need to know about chemotherapy
05 June 2019

10 things I need to know about chemotherapy

What you need to know as you prepare for your chemotherapy.