Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
News
15 October 2020
“Get your mammogram so other mokopuna can have more time with their kuia”
Stacey Morrison’s 7-year-old daughter Maiana is urging Kiwi women to go for regular mammograms, as part of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s annual awareness-raising campaign.
News
13 October 2020
Pharmac review a chance to end agonisingly slow drug approval process
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is calling on the next government to end the unfair and outdated evaluation process that means Kiwis with terminal breast cancer wait years longer for the latest drugs,.
News
01 October 2020
10 ways to make the most of October
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here's how you can get involved this month...
Press release
01 October 2020
Sarah Gandy launches Change & Check campaign, as new survey reveals “worrying” breast cancer findings
Broadcaster Sarah Gandy has joined forces with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to launch the Change & Check campaign.
News
29 September 2020
Auckland turns pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For the first time, Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Queen Street Lights will be lighting up pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
News
08 September 2020
Free GP visits for terminally-ill patients: Making your voices heard in Wellington
In July we were invited to present our petition, signed by thousands of you, in front of the Health Select Committee. We made the case that all advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients should automatically be able to see their GP for free.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
Thousands host Pink Ribbon Breakfast in July
The COVID-19 lockdown forced us to postpone Pink Ribbon Breakfast this year, but we were so excited to be able to go ahead in July. To date, we’ve had 1,700 wonderful people organise and host their own Pink Ribbon Breakfast, and over $700,000 has been raised.
News
08 September 2020
“I lost my own mum to breast cancer, now I help others”
Earlier this year we welcomed Judith Beattie to our team of specialist breast care nurses.
News
08 September 2020
Celebrating 20 years of being cancer-free
Vicky Newman, a mum of two from Kaukapakapa, was just 34 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She had a mastectomy and chemotherapy, but less than a year later, Vicky learnt the cancer had returned in her neck.
News
10 June 2020
COVID-19 must not be an excuse to scupper plans for early access to cancer drugs
Breast Cancer Foundation says Government must not break its promise to develop an early access programme for new cancer medicines, following two promising trial results for advanced breast cancer.
News
10 May 2020
“Don’t back away from cancer plan,” Breast Cancer Foundation begs
“Don’t use COVID-19 as an excuse to back away from your commitment to cancer patients,” Breast Cancer Foundation NZ begged the Government, in response to today’s announcement of an additional $160m over four years for Pharmac to secure the supply of approved medicines.
Press release
06 May 2020
“I’d never heard of a mammogram”: Pink Caravan spreads the word
The Pink Caravan's tour was shortened due to COVID-19. However, it had already made a huge impact. In Dunedin, one visitor told the caravan nurses, “Until now, I’d never heard of a mammogram.” She was 47 years old.
Press release
06 May 2020
Webinars pull in the viewers
In the last six months, BCFNZ webinars have focused on topics such as breast reconstruction, managing the side effects of treatment, what to expect after a diagnosis and dealing with DCIS. In total, 1016 people have signed up to watch our webinars live over that time and 844 people have watched our webinar videos at a later date.
Blog
11 March 2020
What's the deal with DCIS?
There can be some confusion surrounding DCIS. Here's what you should know...
News
05 March 2020
“New Zealand is now on the right path”: World-leading oncologist lauds funding announcement
Pharmac’s confirmation that life-extending new drug Ibrance will be funded from April 1 for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer (ABC) has drawn praise from Dr Fatima Cardoso.
News
05 February 2020
BCFNZ responds to proposed funding of palbociclib for advanced breast cancer
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has given feedback on the proposed funding of palbociclib for advanced breast cancer.
News
15 January 2020
“We’re ecstatic”: Breast Cancer Foundation responds to new drug funding announcement
Pharmac’s announcement this morning that it aims to fund Ibrance for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer from April 2020 is wonderful news.
News
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
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
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
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.
News
22 August 2019
Patients pulling together for change
People with advanced breast cancer who speak publicly about their desperate plights are heroes.
News
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.