News & updates • Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

News & updates

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

Press release
New Zealand lights up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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
New study: Double mastectomy doesn't improve breast cancer survival
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
Exciting progress towards a new breast cancer vaccine
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
Kiwis with advanced triple negative breast cancer get the news they’ve been waiting for
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
Māori surgeon awarded $300,000 research boost to close breast cancer survival gap
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
NZ Air Force’s flying Kiwi turns pink for breast cancer awareness
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
New funding for Pharmac welcome but significantly more still needed
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
NZ’s first Indian MP named as new Breast Cancer Foundation ambassador
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
Life-saving treatment for triple negative breast cancer a step closer to being funded
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
Exciting news: The work has started on free screening for 70-74
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
New drug is good news but Pharmac refuses to reconsider eligibility
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
Our message this World Cancer Day: "Know your normal"
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

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
New Pink Campervan kicks off inaugural tour, taking breast cancer awareness to the regions
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
What Google searches are telling us about the state of breast cancer in NZ
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

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
New Zealand shines pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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
Will the next Government do enough for breast cancer?
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

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
Free mammograms for older women receives cross-party support in Parliament
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
Pharmac breast cancer drug restriction denies patients “another chance at more time”
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

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
Breast cancer screening bill pulled from ballot
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

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!