How well is NZ tackling breast cancer?

How well are we doing in tackling breast cancer here in in New Zealand? That's the question answered by our new report, 30,000 voices: Informing a better future for breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, the first comprehensive report into Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register. We report on diagnoses, treatments and outcomes for 30,000 Kiwi women – and 181 men – diagnosed with breast cancer from 2003-2019. The report also discusses directions for further investigation and improvement.

Dr Reena Ramsaroop is the clinical director of surgical pathology at Waitemata District Health Board, specialising in breast cancer. She is chair of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Medical Advisory Committee and a trustee of Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register.

Professor Ian Campbell is a surgeon at Waikato Hospital, specialising in the treatment of breast cancer since 1989, and Professor of Surgery, Waikato Clinical Campus, University of Auckland Medical School.

Dr Vernon Harvey was one of the founders of the Register and, until his retirement, was one of New Zealand’s most respected breast medical oncologists and most experienced principal investigators. Vernon is Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland.