Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
News
17 December 2024
New clinical trial co-ordinator appointed to drive clinical trial participation
More New Zealanders with breast cancer could have access to new drugs and clinical trials because of investment in a dedicated breast cancer clinical trial co-ordinator, funded by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
News
09 December 2024
New clinical trial hopes to find "gold standard" for staging lobular breast cancer
"A completely new approach to imaging" is being tested as part of a innovative new clinical trial right here in Aotearoa. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is funding the trial to help tackle challenges with staging lobular breast cancer.
News
06 December 2024
New Zealanders to access "wonder drug" for the new year
Wonderful news! Pharmac has confirmed funding for Enhertu following public consultation. Thanks to submissions from individuals and patient advocacy groups, eligibility has been changed to include more people with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.
Press release
07 November 2024
FOR SALE: Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s iconic pink caravan in search of a new home
Our iconic retro Pink Caravan is up for sale after an illustrious 10-year career delivering life-saving breast health education around the country.
News
31 October 2024
Amazing news, free mammogram age extension begins
Momentous news for early detection in New Zealand as the roll out of free mammograms for women aged 70-74 begins in the Nelson-Marlborough district.
News
01 October 2024
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here. This October, we're calling for all women to check their breasts as part of regular self care.
Press release
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.
News
13 September 2024
Funding announced for new "wonder drug"
New Zealand clinicians have collectively pushed for access to Enhertu; a "game changer drug" for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.
Today, Pharmac announced plans to fund this drug from 1 January 2025.
Blog
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
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.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press Spring 2024
PDF format - 0.8mb
Press release
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.
News
18 June 2024
Pharmac reverses eligibility restrictions for life-extending drugs
Positive outcome for patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer as new treatment available from July 1.
Press release
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
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.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press - Autumn 2024
PDF format - 1.8mb
Press release
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
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
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.
Blog
26 March 2024
Ali's new normal
For Ali Coomber, living well after breast cancer looks like reading lots of books, regular yoga, connecting with family, and coming to terms with thoughts of recurrence.
Blog
26 March 2024
All in the same boat
Busting With Life team member Donna says, the 22 women would likely never have met, were it not for their common thread – a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Press release
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
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
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.