News & updates • Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

News & updates

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

News
New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy
17 April 2023

New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy

New Zealand will soon have a Women’s Health Strategy. Right now, there's no mention of breast cancer in the official focus of the strategy.
Blog
"The day has finally arrived": Suzie's long wait for breast reconstruction
10 April 2023

"The day has finally arrived": Suzie's long wait for breast reconstruction

After 4 ½ years on the waiting list for bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction surgery and being first on the waiting list for more than a year, Suzie and her husband decided to pay for the surgery privately. This is a journal of Suzie’s surgery and recovery experiences...
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
April 2023

April 2023

In the April edition of the bulletin, Jason and Georgina share the story of why they host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast every year, nearly 400 people have made submissions on why breast cancer needs to be included in New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy, we share a significant milestone, as well as an update on our Pink Caravan Summer Tour. Happy Easter! 🐰
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
March 2023

March 2023

An update from Sue, our nurse in Tairāwhiti, New Zealand's first ever Women's Health Strategy, our first webinar of the year, and a sneak peek of Pink Ribbon Breakfast 2023
Press release
MPs back charity’s plea for improvements to breast screening
02 March 2023

MPs back charity’s plea for improvements to breast screening

Parliament's Petitions Committee is backing our call on Government to improve access to breast screening, in the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns creating a massive mammogram backlog.
Press release
“Don’t suffer in silence”: Charity urges breast cancer survivors to act on long-term effects
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.
Blog
Summer advice from our specialist breast nurses
22 December 2022

Summer advice from our specialist breast nurses

Our team of specialist nurses have pulled together useful tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Blog
Recipes for the festive season
21 December 2022

Recipes for the festive season

Need some holiday cooking inspiration? We’ve chosen some recipes for the festive season from Everyday Strength, a cookbook with wellbeing tips for cancer patients by food writer Sam Mannering and author Karen McMIllan, both of whom have had cancer.
News
Women can safely interrupt hormone therapy to have a baby, study finds
16 December 2022

Women can safely interrupt hormone therapy to have a baby, study finds

Long-awaited findings from a study looking at pregnancy and breast cancer medication is bringing reassurance to patients and specialists alike.
Press release
Widely available heartburn tablet offers hope for Kiwi breast cancer patients
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.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
December 2022

December 2022

In this issue of the bulletin we remember Heidi MacRae, an Auckland GP and fierce advocate for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, who sadly died last month after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer earlier this year.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
November 2022

November 2022

The Christchurch Pink Ribbon Walk is just one example of the incredible moments we’ve had throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month - read about the others in our October wrap up!
Press release
Support for Reti’s breast screening bill – “our older women’s lives are worth saving”
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
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists join us to promote the importance of mammograms
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
Experts adopt new guidelines to improve treatment for Kiwis with advanced breast cancer
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
“No good reason why free mammograms for 70-74 year olds can’t happen right now”
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
Free breast screening for more NZ women will categorically save lives
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.
News
Glowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
28 September 2022

Glowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Towns and cities across Aotearoa New Zealand will once again be lighting up their landmarks and prominent buildings in pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Pink Ribbon Bulletins
September 2022

September 2022

A lot has been happening in the last few weeks - read about a visit from top international breast surgeon Angel Arnaout, our Breast Cancer InSIGhts conference, two new webinars, and a brand new partnership with the NPC rugby competition.
Pink Ribbon Press
Pink Ribbon Press - Spring 2022

Pink Ribbon Press - Spring 2022

PDF format - 1.5mb
Press release
Gordon MacLeod appointed as new BCFNZ trustee
20 July 2022

Gordon MacLeod appointed as new BCFNZ trustee

We've welcomed business leader Gordon MacLeod to our Board of Trustees.
Press release
Pharmac review: "How much improvement can be achieved is questionable"
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
Breast screening review must address the mammogram backlog
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
Budget 2022 lets down the women of NZ
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.