Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
News & updates
Our latest news, press releases, blog posts, Pink Ribbon Bulletins & Pink Ribbon Press.
Press release
03 February 2023
“Don’t suffer in silence”: Charity urges breast cancer survivors to act on long-term effects
Ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February), we're highlighting the issue of long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment, to gain more knowledge in this under-researched field.
Press release
09 December 2022
Widely available heartburn tablet offers hope for Kiwi breast cancer patients
Results from the PantoCIN trial, which was co-funded by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, have shown that a widely available heartburn medication can prevent delayed nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
Press release
19 October 2022
Support for Reti’s breast screening bill – “our older women’s lives are worth saving”
After years of campaigning for the breast screening age to be raised to 74, we fully support National MP Dr Shane Reti's attempt to get this enshrined in law.
Press release
17 October 2022
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists join us to promote the importance of mammograms
Members of Te Puāwai weavers feature in our new awareness campaign called Mammograms For Us to encourage wāhine to book their mammograms.
Press release
13 October 2022
Experts adopt new guidelines to improve treatment for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer
We’ve worked with the country’s top breast cancer specialists to develop new clinical guidelines for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
Press release
05 October 2022
“No good reason why free mammograms for 70-74 year olds can’t happen right now”
The Government has an opportunity to show leadership for women’s health this October by immediately raising the free breast screening age, says Justine Smyth, chair of BCFNZ.
Press release
04 October 2022
Free breast screening for more NZ women will categorically save lives
We welcome the National Party's commitment to raise the free screening age to 74 and now we want to see all other political parties make the same commitment.
Press release
20 July 2022
Gordon MacLeod appointed as new BCFNZ trustee
We've welcomed business leader Gordon MacLeod to our Board of Trustees.
Press release
01 June 2022
Pharmac review: "How much improvement can be achieved is questionable"
The Government has accepted most of the findings from Pharmac's independent review, but we question how much improvement can actually be achieved.
Press release
25 May 2022
Breast screening review must address the mammogram backlog
Health NZ’s review is an acknowledgement of the crucial role of screening in woman's health, but it must include a plan to clear the mammogram backlog.
Press release
20 May 2022
Budget 2022 lets down the women of NZ
We're deeply disappointed by the Government's 2022 Budget, which has failed to deliver the $15m we've been asking for to clear the mammogram backlog urgently.
Press release
12 May 2022
“The future of breast screening is on a knife-edge”, MPs hear at Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Parliament today
One week before the Government's Budget, we held a Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Parliament, calling $15m of targeted funding to clear the mammogram backlog.
Press release
30 March 2022
Breast cancer diagnoses are not “keeping pace with what we’ve seen in the past”
The Prime Minister has claimed levels of cancer diagnoses appear to have “recovered” after being impacted by Covid lockdowns over the last two years. We disagree.
Press release
09 March 2022
New BCFNZ-funded nurse making a difference in Canterbury
Meet Katherine King, Canterbury's first oncology clinical nurse specialist dedicated to breast cancer.
Press release
04 February 2022
Breast cancer survival laid bare in new report
We've published a report on the most comprehensive review ever conducted on breast cancer in NZ. It shows an impressive improvement in five-year survival rates. But 10-year survival is much lower, and the stats are worse for Māori, Pasifika and younger women.
Press release
09 December 2021
10,600 New Zealanders call for urgent action on breast screening
We've delivered our Missing Women petition to ACT's Brooke van Velden. More than 10,600 people signed it, calling for the Government to make sure women can access life-saving mammograms.
Press release
01 December 2021
Mt Eden x Laken Whitecliffe collab for breast cancer
Auckland DJ Mt Eden and artist Laken Whitecliffe have teamed up to create a music video and artwork as a fundraiser for the Foundation.
Press release
14 October 2021
133 MISSING WOMEN: Breast cancer cases going undetected because of Covid-19
At least 133 women across Aotearoa New Zealand have no idea they have breast cancer right now, warns Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Take action by signing our petition!
Press release
03 October 2021
Wāhine toa star in new breast cancer campaign using the power of poetry
Spoken word poets Ngā Hinepūkōrero have teamed up with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to release a new poem highlighting the importance of mammograms this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Press release
29 September 2021
New Zealand turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
More than 30 landmarks and prominent buildings across Aotearoa New Zealand are lighting up in pink this October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Press release
12 August 2021
ABCpro making a difference for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer
Joy and Huia are taking part in the pilot of ABCpro, a new telehealth nursing service we've launched at Waikato Hospital. They speak out about how ABCpro is making a huge difference in their lives
Press release
13 May 2021
Jacinda Ardern artwork up for grabs to raise funds for breast cancer
The Port Waikato Pink Ribbon Breakfast Team is hoping they'll raise thousands for BCFNZ through the auction of a framed picture drawn and signed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Press release
09 May 2021
New funding for breast screening programme an "excellent step forward"
The Government has announced a $55.6 million upgrade for the national breast screening programme's IT system, which means more women should be able to access free mammograms.
Press release
02 March 2021
Pharmac review doesn’t go far enough
The Government has announced it will conduct an independent review into Pharmac. We're disappointed that it doesn't go far enough - without increased funding, NZ will continue to lag behind when it comes to accessing new drugs.