Advanced breast cancer
This year, about 350 New Zealanders will be told they have advanced breast cancer (ABC) – also called secondary, or Stage Four, or metastatic breast cancer. This is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body and is incurable.
Most of those 350 people – mainly women, but also a few men – will do everything in their power to stay alive, to stay with their families for as long as possible.
They’ll become part of the constantly changing population of Kiwis living with ABC. Their struggle will take place out of the spotlight that celebrates the “success stories” of early breast cancer survival. Many of them will end up feeling unseen, forgotten, isolated. They’ll feel that the health system has turned its back on them.
Petitioning for free GP visits for those with ABC
Our report, "I’m still here”, Insights into living – and dying – with Advanced Breast Cancer in New Zealand, revealed a sorry state of play for those with advanced breast cancer. Patients struggle to manage their symptoms, reducing their quality of life and potentially shortening their survival, and face a huge financial burden, which is with them for the rest of their lives. The cost of GP visits becomes a major financial burden when patients no longer have regular hospital appointments; inability to afford appointments means patients don’t get the symptom relief they need.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ presented a petition calling for free GP visits for those with advanced breast cancer, which is currently with the Health Select Committee.
Understanding ABC in New Zealand
In September 2018, Breast Cancer Foundation published “I’m Still Here”, a report offering insight into what’s really happening in ABC care. The report combines the output of three studies commissioned by BCFNZ: a survey of medical professionals; a patient survey; and the first statistical analysis of data about advanced breast cancer treatment and survival from Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae, the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register.
We learned that New Zealanders with ABC die faster than people in other countries, that many of them get less treatment, and that the health system disadvantages them in many ways. This needs to change, right now.
Following the release of our report, we invited Dr Fatima Cardoso, a world expert in advanced breast cancer, to share her knowledge in New Zealand. She spoke about the relationship patients need to have with their oncologist and how they can take a front seat in their ABC care.
Read our full report below.
| Download Executive Summary | Download Full Report |
Rethinking ABC, was published in 2026 and builds on the 2018 report above - read more about Rethinking ABC here.
ABC patient interview with Dr Cardoso
Video
Dr Fatima Cardoso ABC patient interview
During her visit to New Zealand, Dr Fatima Cardoso was also interviewed by Jane, a Kiwi living with advanced breast cancer. A recording and transcript of this interview are now available.
You can read the transcript here: Dr Cardoso transcript