![Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/dna-3539309_640%20small.jpg?itok=90y0M1w-)
Knowing our genetic risk of diseases such as BRCA-related breast cancer can be lifesaving, but New Zealand insurance companies can use this knowledge to discriminate against us.
BCAC has joined Against Genetic Discrimination Aotearoa (AGenDA), a group of doctors, researchers, lawyers, Māori, Pasifika, medical charities and patient groups to fight this discrimination.
![Mammograms of breasts of low density (L) and high density (R) Image credit www,cdc.gov](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2mammograms.jpg?itok=eOwef_Kg)
European experts now recommend that breast density be reported with every mammogram and that women with extremely dense breasts be advised to undergo additional screening, given their greater risk of breast cancer.
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Clinical trials are an essential part of our health system and are necessary to find out if new treatments are more effective than those currently accepted as standard of care. New breast cancer treatments (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy and drug therapies) and care must be thoroughly tested through the clinical trials or research process before they are made widely available to breast cancer patients.
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National cancer support service Look Good Feel Better continues to evolve its free programme to offer a diverse range of wellbeing sessions including both in-community and online classes, expert Q&As and podcasts. Navigating cancer can be as daunting emotionally and mentally as it is to physically deal with prognosis and treatment, so the programme is aimed at boosting confidence and provides an opportunity to connect with others who truly understand what you are going through.
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We asked Metavivor Tania Honey to describe this online peer support group for people with advanced breast cancer. Here’s her take:
1. We all have a Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis and I believe live or have lived in NZ at some point
2. It's a private page. Not any Tom, Dick or Mary can join. It gives you an extra feeling of safety that only other Metavivors are on this site.
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Breast Cancer Support Aotearoa (BCSA) begins the year with the continuation of its ‘Cuppa and a Chat’ online support groups. Held on Zoom, the inaugural groups were so successful last year that Chair Liz Pennington is keen to continue and encourages women to join these informal sessions.
![Busting with Life Dragon Boat Team](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Busting%20with%20Life%20BCAC%20newsletter%20photo.jpg?itok=UmpV1K7N)
Setting New Year’s resolutions for: growing your fitness?, making new friends?, doing something new, different and FUN?
Come along to one of our trainings and see if dragon boating is for you! We will supply you with a life-jacket and paddle, all you need is clothing suitable to exercise in on the water and footwear you don’t mind getting wet.
What you get out of joining the team:
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The Pinkies Are Back depicts a group of extraordinary women conquering and surviving breast cancer, setting up a dragon boat team, and working together to win a gold medal in a competition held in Auckland. It’s an ode to women on the water. There are breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams around the world, as it has become an established popular rehabilitation system - "Exercise is Medicine". They put all efforts into paddling, just as they fight for the silver lining of their life.…
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The Breast Cancer Research Trust’s popular Pink Walk and Run fundraiser is back again this October, along with two other local community-organised events in Huntly and Putaruru.
Cindy Jacobs, spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer Research Trust and organiser of the Hamilton event, says that having three events throughout the Waikato makes it easier for more people to get involved:
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A new dragon boat season is upon us, and this is a great sport for those recovering from Breast Cancer treatment. With the borders opening up worldwide, the opportunity to go global again is super exciting as well as lots of great regattas here in Aotearoa.