Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
Press release
18 May 2023
Budget 2023: "It’s hard to see how the Government is serious about its women’s health strategy"
In response to the Budget 2023 announcement, our CEO Ah-Leen Rayner says: “It’s hard to see how the Government is serious about its women’s health strategy when this Budget has nothing in it for women’s health - let alone breast cancer."
Press release
16 May 2023
Pre-Budget warning to the women of NZ: “Brace yourselves for disappointment”
Ahead of Budget 2023, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is issuing a stark warning to the women of Aotearoa New Zealand: brace yourselves for disappointment that our Government won’t do more to prevent deaths from breast cancer.
Blog
16 May 2023
Suzie's reconstruction diary part 4: The weeks after surgery
After 4 ½ years on the waiting list for bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction surgery and being first on the waiting list for more than a year, Suzie and her husband decided to pay for the surgery privately.
This is part 4 of Suzie’s journal of her surgery and recovery. Here she details her experiences over a month after having her breast reconstruction.
Press release
10 May 2023
“It’s not good enough that 10 women in Wellington may have been harmed by a service that is meant to protect them"
In response to the two reviews looking into breast screening released today by Te Whatu Ora, BCFNZ CEO Ah-Leen Rayner says the national Breast Screening Action Plan mentioned must be ambitious and deliver tangible change – extending the screening age to 74 and lowering it to 40 for Māori and Pacific women is the bare minimum needed to save more lives.
Press release
03 May 2023
Revealed: Where our political parties stand on tackling breast cancer
All New Zealanders can now see where the country’s political parties stand on tackling breast cancer – the leading cause of death for New Zealand women under 65.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
May 2023
Pink Ribbon Breakfast month is here already! Leana kindly shares the story of why she hosts a Pink Ribbon Breakfast for her best friend Angie, we update you on our new Breast Cancer Policy Scorecard, and we share Suzie's diary of her breast reconstruction experience.
Blog
26 April 2023
Suzie's reconstruction diary part 3: Back at home
This is part 3 of Suzie’s journal of her breast reconstruction surgery and recovery experiences. Here she details her first three weeks being back at home after her breast reconstruction.
Blog
18 April 2023
Suzie's reconstruction diary part 2: The hospital stay
After 4 ½ years on the waiting list for bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction surgery and being first on the waiting list for more than a year, Suzie and her husband decided to pay for the surgery privately.
This is part 2 of Suzie’s surgery and recovery experiences
Blog
10 April 2023
"The day has finally arrived": Suzie's long wait for breast reconstruction
After 4 ½ years on the waiting list for bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction surgery and being first on the waiting list for more than a year, Suzie and her husband decided to pay for the surgery privately.
This is a journal of Suzie’s surgery and recovery experiences...
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
April 2023
In the April edition of the bulletin, Jason and Georgina share the story of why they host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast every year, nearly 400 people have made submissions on why breast cancer needs to be included in New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy, we share a significant milestone, as well as an update on our Pink Caravan Summer Tour. Happy Easter! 🐰
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
March 2023
An update from Sue, our nurse in Tairāwhiti, New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy, our first webinar of the year, and a sneak peek of Pink Ribbon Breakfast 2023
Press release
02 March 2023
MPs back charity’s plea for improvements to breast screening
Parliament's Petitions Committee is backing our call on Government to improve access to breast screening, in the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns creating a massive mammogram backlog.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
February 2023
Ahead of World Cancer Day, we are calling on Kiwis who have had breast cancer not to "suffer in silence" and to seek help for long-term side effects caused by their treatment. We are launching a new survey to help us get a clearer picture of this poorly understood topic, which we would really appreciate your help with.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
January 2023
Happy New Year and welcome to 2023. We hope the year has got off to a great start. In our latest bulletin we share updates from the last month, including New Zealand's PantoCIN trial, the results from which will hugely benefit breast cancer patients who are on chemotherapy.
Blog
22 December 2022
Summer advice from our specialist breast nurses
Our team of specialist nurses have pulled together useful tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Blog
21 December 2022
Recipes for the festive season
Need some holiday cooking inspiration? We’ve chosen some recipes for the festive season from Everyday Strength, a cookbook with wellbeing tips for cancer patients by food writer Sam Mannering and author Karen McMIllan, both of whom have had cancer.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
December 2022
In this issue of the bulletin we remember Heidi MacRae, an Auckland GP and fierce advocate for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, who sadly died last month after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer earlier this year.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
November 2022
The Christchurch Pink Ribbon Walk is just one example of the incredible moments we’ve had throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month - read about the others in our October wrap up!
Press release
19 October 2022
Support for Reti’s breast screening bill – “our older women’s lives are worth saving”
After years of campaigning for the breast screening age to be raised to 74, we fully support National MP Dr Shane Reti's attempt to get this enshrined in law.
Press release
17 October 2022
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists join us to promote the importance of mammograms
Members of Te Puāwai weavers feature in our new awareness campaign called Mammograms For Us to encourage wāhine to book their mammograms.
Press release
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
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.
News
28 September 2022
Glowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Towns and cities across Aotearoa New Zealand will once again be lighting up their landmarks and prominent buildings in pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
September 2022
A lot has been happening in the last few weeks - read about a visit from top international breast surgeon Angel Arnaout, our Breast Cancer InSIGhts conference, two new webinars, and a brand new partnership with the NPC rugby competition.