Latest News
Roche announced last month (October 2011) that the Phase III HannaH study demonstrated that a new, subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Herceptin (trastuzumab) performed similarly to the standard intravenous (IV) infusion of Herceptin in women with HER2-positive early breast cancer.
The SC administration takes around five minutes to administer whereas the IV formulation (the current standard) takes around 30 minutes to infuse. Since the subcutaneous administration is an injection under the skin it may allow patients to spend less time in hospital receiving their treatment versus the intravenous method. The ready to use formulation of Herceptin SC may also significantly reduce pharmacy time as no medicine preparation time is required.
Patients with life-threatening Pompe disease will march on Parliament this week (Nov 16, 2011) to call for a commitment from all political parties for treatment of their disease, and to put in place an orphan drugs access programme to ensure a fair go is extended to all other patients with rare diseases when new treatments are developed in the future.
The BCAC AGM was held on Friday, November 4, at the Auckland Cancer Society in Grafton. A number of members took the opportunity to meet with the committee and other members and hear what BCAC has been up to over the last 12 months. BCAC Chair Libby Burgess outlined BCAC’s achievements this year and Treasurer Louise Malone provided a snapshot of the organisation’s financial report.
Oysters for Lunch - Writings by women living with secondary breast cancer
More than 2,600 New Zealand women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and about 15% will hear the news that the breast cancer has spread to other parts of their body. At this stage the advanced cancer, also known as metastatic or secondary, is incurable.
The opportunity to read creative work written by women living with secondary breast cancer is a valuable one, a gift not only to those who may follow a similar path but to all of us, offering intimate insights into lives that are challenged by the realities of cancer and lived fully ‘in the moment’, shared passionately with beloved family, friends and places.
Anastasia (Stacy) Hinehopu Burnard lost her 11-year battle with breast cancer on August 31, 2010.
Her family acknowledges their mother and sister with this heartfelt tribute:
Our whānau lost the most loving, generous, kind, and beautiful member last year, after an 11 year battle with breast cancer. Forever in our hearts. Aroha pūmau.
Two BCAC member groups have some great events coming up in November. Read on to find out all about them.
Who said Mondays were boring?
Monday evenings can be dull but BCAC member group, WONS: Well Women & Family Trust, a major Auckland women's health service is changing that – for two consecutive Mondays in November by hosting two fantastic fundraisers.
BCAC was formed in November 2004 with twelve member groups and now, in 2011, we have 32 breast cancer-related member groups and around 50 individual members. Click here for a list of our member groups and information about their activities.
To mention our two newest groups to become members: Shocking Pink and the Australasian IBC Network.
BCAC member group, WONS: Well Women & Family Trust, a major Auckland women's health service is going online to raise money. Trade Me is hosting a one-week auction in support of WONS from 7-13 November 2011.
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) will hold its annual general meeting on the evening of Friday, 4th November 2011 at 7 pm in the New Zealand Cancer Society Offices, Domain Lodge at 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton, Auckland. Parking is available.
October 2011.
BCAC welcomes the report released this week by Health Minister Tony Ryall which calculates the annual price of all cancers registered with the New Zealand Cancer Registry 2008. As well as calculating the costs, the report estimates the drivers and likely magnitude of price change 10 years into the future, based on previous cancer incidence projections.
Libby Burgess, BCAC Chair, says “It is encouraging to see the Government has been proactive in improving cancer treatment for New Zealanders and it is reassuring to see the analysis and forward planning that will enable the allocation of resources to ensure effective cancer treatment in the future.
