
Nearly a quarter of breast cancer surgery patients experience significant and persistent pain up to six months after surgery and new research shows that women with pre-operative breast pain have the highest risk of extended post-surgical pain.
The study, published in the Journal of Pain and conducted by researchers at the University of California San Francisco, followed 400 breast cancer patients every month for six months.

Pinc & STEEL is more than an exercise regime - it is a personalised therapeutic programme that is offered to women recovering from cancer surgery and related treatment. All women with cancer are eligible to participate in the programme, from the newly diagnosed to women 25+ years after their initial cancer diagnosis. The Pinc & STEEL programme was previously known as Pink Pilates.

Lymphoedema can be a debilitating side effect of breast cancer surgery if not managed carefully, but research is moving apace to help women with the disorder control it better.

BCAC is thrilled that one of New Zealand’s foremost breast cancer researchers has been acknowledged in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.
Waikato-based surgeon, Associate Professor Dr Ian Campbell, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to breast cancer treatment and research.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, says Dr Campbell is renowned for his dedication to ensuring the very best outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nic Russell's life changed forever in April 2005 when her daughter Kenzie was diagnosed with cancer. Two months later Nic too was diagnosed.
Kenzie died at christmas that year, so this is always a very challenging time for Nic, and she thinks more about the families facing the same trauma at christmas time - and wants to give them the gift of support at this time of year.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has listed two breakthroughs in breast cancer research among the top 17 cancer advances for 2012.
The results come in the Society’s annual report highlighting major research advances in cancer treatment and care this year.
A lower total dose of radiotherapy, delivered in fewer, larger treatments, is as safe and effective at treating early breast cancer as the international standard dose, according to a major study.
The results of the Cancer Research UK START trial, which involved nearly 4,500 British women, were presented at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

New Zealand women with triple negative metastatic breast cancer may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial examining the benefits of the drug Tamoxifen to control the growth and spread of cancer cells.
About 15 per cent of all breast cancers are defined as triple negative, which means the cancer is not driven by either of the hormones oestrogen or progesterone, nor by the HER2 protein.

Breast Cancer Network is losing one of their longest standing committee members.

New research results show that women with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer who take the drug tamoxifen for ten years rather than five, have a reduced risk of breast cancer recurring and better overall survival rates.
The findings of the ATLAS (Adjuvant Tamoxifen – Longer Against Shorter) study were presented this week at the renowned San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.