Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
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.
Press release
27 September 2023
Will the next Government do enough for breast cancer?
Ahead of the election, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has laid down a challenge to political parties to tackle breast cancer – the leading killer of New Zealand women under 65.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
September 2023
In this issue of the Bulletin, we share how free mammograms for women aged 70-74 are another step closer to reality as well as a new patient campaign #MyLifeMatters and how you can get involved this Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Press release
31 August 2023
Free mammograms for older women receives cross-party support in Parliament
We're welcoming the cross-party support received for Dr Shane Reti's bill to increase the breast screening age.
Press release
23 August 2023
Pharmac breast cancer drug restriction denies patients “another chance at more time”
Pharmac has missed a golden opportunity to allow more Kiwis access to a new breast cancer drug, a move that would have brought New Zealand into line with the rest of the world and removed a disparity that hits Māori and Pasifika hardest.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
August 2023
In this issue of the Bulletin, we share recent wins, how together we can make our voices heard to improve drug funding and how you can get involved in Pink Ribbon Walk for 2023
Press release
27 July 2023
Breast cancer screening bill pulled from ballot
Today Dr Shane Reti's private member's bill to increase the breast screening age to 74 has been drawn from the ballot box, taking us one step closer to our older women being able to access free mammograms.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
July 2023
Mānawatia a Matariki! This issue of the Bulletin wishes you a happy Māori new year, welcomes the release of the Government's new Women's Health Strategy and has the details for our upcoming webinar. Read more and catch up on our news for July!
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
June 2023
The June edition of the Bulletin is dedicated to our patron Dame Rosie Horton, who passed away in May. We share some of Dame Rosie's legacy, a founding trustee and chair of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and known as a leading philanthropist across the country
Press release
08 June 2023
Pharmac breast cancer cost-saving proposal welcome but ignores patients facing “dead-end”
We're welcoming Pharmac's proposal to replace Herceptin with a cheaper and safe alternative for HER2-positive breast cancer, but we're disappointed Pharmac's medical advisors won't widen access to this drug for certain patients who have run out of options.
Blog
05 June 2023
Suzie's reconstruction diary part 5: Feeling stronger
This is the final part of Suzie’s journal. She talks about her recovery and feeling stronger, attending her daughter's wedding, getting Covid-19 as well as her feelings about her new breasts.
Press release
01 June 2023
Government stalling on breast screening costs the life of one woman every month
One woman a month will needlessly lose her life to breast cancer thanks to the Government’s latest refusal to uphold its promise of lifting the breast screening age to 74.
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