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The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) is calling for urgent action following three recent studies which highlight inequalities in access to screening and treatment for Māori women with breast cancer.
The three studies, all published this year, show that Māori women have higher rates of advanced cancer; experience longer delays in getting surgical treatment; and have lower rates of breast cancer screening.
BCAC chairperson, Libby Burgess, says the findings are a wake-up call for more to be done for Māori women with breast cancer.
The first-ever New Zealand forum dedicated to expanding knowledge about advanced breast cancer takes place in Auckland this week.
The Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Forum aims to provide “knowledge, support and empowerment” to those who have been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, also known as secondary or metastatic breast cancer.
It has been organised by the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) and well-known support organisation, Sweet Louise and will feature presentations from medical experts, therapists, advisers on quality of life issues, and patient advocates.
Chief executive of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, Evangelia Henderson says she hopes the forum will expand people’s knowledge about advanced breast cancer.
A Waikato study has found that Māori women wait longer for breast cancer surgery than New Zealand European women.
The longer delays for treatment are thought to be a significant contributing factor in the lower survival rates for Māori women compared with non-Māori in New Zealand.
Storage King NZ is turning pink this month to help support the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) and the thousands of New Zealand women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Throughout October, Storage King NZ will donate $1 to BCAC from every tea chest sold and will transform its stores in a swathe of pink to promote Breast Cancer Action month.
It’s the third year in a row Storage King has joined forces with BCAC to help raise money for Kiwis with breast cancer and BCAC chairperson, Libby Burgess, says their support is invaluable.
“More New Zealand women are being diagnosed with breast cancer each year so the need is great.
BCAC is speaking out in support of the thousands of New Zealanders with metastatic breast cancer today: Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Secondary breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body, such as the bones, brain or liver. It is incurable.
BCAC chairperson, Libby Burgess, says thousands of women in New Zealand are living with secondary breast cancer and they deserve special recognition and support.
“All of us in BCAC are inspired by the women we meet with secondary breast cancer. They live their lives with enormous courage and face many daily obstacles as they navigate the health system.
The Pinc & Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust is delighted to be launching their PaddleOn Programme this summer in Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Taupo and Orewa following the resounding success of the pilot programme.
PaddleOn is a stand up paddle (SUP) rehabilitation programme provided free of charge for women following breast cancer treatment. It is delivered over five weeks by certified Pinc & Steel cancer rehabilitation physiotherapists. PaddleOn has been specifically developed to help women gain strength, improve fitness, find balance and learn the components of stand up paddling in a safe, fun, small group environment.
Go to www.paddleon.co.nz to find out more and register online.
A recent study has found concerns about fertility stop one third of young women with breast cancer from taking tamoxifen despite its known benefit in reducing the risk of breast cancer returning.
The study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute also found one quarter of women who started taking tamoxifen stopped taking it before the recommended treatment period ended.
Study author Dr Jacqueline Jeruss, said the study revealed the importance of fertility to young breast cancer patients. “We need to find a way to bridge the gap between this patient survivorship goal and our concerns as physicians to facilitate the best treatment possible for our patients.”
A Christchurch teacher is urging women to get regular mammograms after an aggressive breast cancer was picked up during her routine scan just prior to the February 2011 earthquake.
Hannelie Bergmann, 56, spoke out in support of the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition’s (BCAC) 2014 Show Your Heart for Women Living with Breast Cancer fundraising campaign.
The funds raised were to help pay for BCAC’s Step by Step support and information pack which is distributed free-of-charge to the more than 3,300 Kiwi women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
BCAC met with the Ministry of Health’s Cancer Team earlier this month for an update on issues raised in our Ministerial Briefing in March. We were pleased to hear that good progress has been made in breast reconstruction and the provision of fertility services. However, we remain concerned about inadequate funding for new medicines and inconsistencies among DHBs in offering lymphoedema services.
Check out all the news from Sweet Louise in their latest newsletter.
