Press release

21 October 2025

Breast cancer patients can’t afford to wait for life-saving drugs

After gathering more than 17,000 signatures on a petition calling for Keytruda to be funded for early-stage triple negative breast cancer, Catherine Cooke will be telling a Parliamentary select committee about the emotional and financial toll of having to pay for an unfunded treatment.

Press release

15 October 2025

Breast screening extension will save lives – just like it did for Rita

Today we're celebrating a landmark moment for women's health as the Government officially extends breast screening nationwide for women aged up to 74. This age extension will save lives - just like it did for Rita.

Blog

29 September 2025

Unsure how to check your breasts? Research shows you're not alone

A new study has found that many women aged 30–39 either don’t think breast cancer is relevant to them yet or aren’t sure how to check. The reality? Most cases aren’t linked to family history and 13% of breast cancer diagnoses happen in women under the age of 45.

Press release

29 September 2025

New Zealand's pink glow-up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This October, more than 90 prominent landmarks and buildings across the country will light up pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From Whangārei to Invercargill, discover your nearest Global Illumination site.

Blog

05 August 2025

Exercise after cancer: could moving more stop it coming back?

New study shows powerful results for colon cancer and raises hopes for breast cancer too.

Press release

07 November 2024

FOR SALE: Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s iconic pink caravan in search of a new home

Our iconic retro Pink Caravan is up for sale after an illustrious 10-year career delivering life-saving breast health education around the country.

News

31 October 2024

Amazing news, free mammogram age extension begins

Momentous news for early detection in New Zealand as the roll out of free mammograms for women aged 70-74 begins in the Nelson-Marlborough district.

Press release

01 October 2024

New Zealand lights up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

More than 80 of NZ's landmarks and prominent buildings are turning pink this October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month - see if your town is participating.

Blog

05 September 2024

New study: Double mastectomy doesn't improve breast cancer survival

Many women with invasive breast cancer in one breast may opt for a double mastectomy. However, recent research has found no survival benefit when compared to breast conserving surgery (partial mastectomy).

News

06 August 2024

Exciting progress towards a new breast cancer vaccine

The future of prevention against breast cancer recurrence is coming. Overseas, and right here in Aotearoa. Read an update about our exciting project.

Press release

05 July 2024

Kiwis with advanced triple negative breast cancer get the news they’ve been waiting for

Pharmac announces funding for Keytruda for metastatic triple negative breast cancer from October 1st.

Press release

05 June 2024

Māori surgeon awarded $300,000 research boost to close breast cancer survival gap

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, along with Breast Cancer Cure, are thrilled to award the inaugural Māori Breast Cancer Research Leadership Fellowship to Dr Maxine Ronald. Dr Ronald is New Zealand’s only wahine Māori breast surgeon. Her research will focus on working with researchers across the country to build Māori capability and leadership in breast cancer research.

Press release

22 May 2024

NZ Air Force’s flying Kiwi turns pink for breast cancer awareness

A Royal New Zealand Air Force aviator has come up with a never-been-done-before way to raise breast cancer awareness.

Press release

29 April 2024

New funding for Pharmac welcome but significantly more still needed

Pharmac budget boost welcome, but more funding is still needed to give breast cancer patients access to new, modern medicines.

Press release

24 April 2024

NZ’s first Indian MP named as new Breast Cancer Foundation ambassador

We're delighted to welcome Kanwaljit Bakshi as our newest ambassador.

Press release

02 April 2024

Life-saving treatment for triple negative breast cancer a step closer to being funded

Pharmac has recommended Keytruda should be publicly funded for both early and advanced triple negative breast cancer.

Press release

15 February 2024

Exciting news: The work has started on free screening for 70-74

Today, we are celebrating a big win to ensure more breast cancer is detected early – the work has finally started on our eight year long campaign to extend free breast screening for Kiwi women aged 70-74.

Press release

14 February 2024

New drug is good news but Pharmac refuses to reconsider eligibility

Pharmac will fund ribociclib for Kiwis with hormone-positive advanced breast cancer, but the drug-buying agency has refused our recommendation to allow patients to switch drugs if they have severe side-effects.

Blog

02 February 2024

Our message this World Cancer Day: "Know your normal"

“Know your normal” is one of the key messages we share here at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, and this World Cancer Day (4 February) we want to remind Kiwis why this is so important.

Pink Ribbon Bulletins

November 2023

Wow, what an October! It ​​​​​​was so incredible to connect and share with you all - thank you for a wonderful Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Press release

16 October 2023

New Pink Campervan kicks off inaugural tour, taking breast cancer awareness to the regions

Our new, state-of-the-art Pink Campervan has embarked on its inaugural tour, taking life-saving breast health education to all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Press release

02 October 2023

What Google searches are telling us about the state of breast cancer in NZ

A dramatic surge in Google searches related to breast cancer in the last year has not correlated with an increase in mammogram participation. We're worried this may signal a concerning trend about the state of breast cancer in Aotearoa.

Pink Ribbon Bulletins

October 2023

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read the October edition of the Bulletin to know why starting conversations about breast health is so important.

Press release

28 September 2023

New Zealand shines pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

More than 60 iconic sites across Aotearoa New Zealand will be glowing in pink this October to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.