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When AUT exercise scientist Dr. Matt Brughelli was diagnosed with breast cancer, twice, his world changed overnight. After years of working with athletes, he suddenly faced major surgery, radiation treatment, and relentless fatigue. “I went from swimming every day to being unable to lift my arm,” he recalls. A mastectomy and axillary lymph node biopsy following his second diagnosis left him with severely restricted shoulder mobility, diminished strength, and constant exhaustion.
If you’ve just been diagnosed in the Counties Manukau area and are about to have breast cancer surgery at Middlemore Hospital, you might be interested in participating in the LOLIPOP clinical trial. The aim is to see if an extra treatment with a local anaesthetic during and just after surgery can help prevent or reduce ongoing chronic pain that some women experience after surgery. Talk to your surgeon about this and read more about it here https://www.breastcancer.org.nz/.../lolipop-trial-recruiting
Pharmac’s recently released summary of an independent external review of their workplace culture concludes that their current operating model is “not fit for purpose” and recommends a reset of vision, strategy and operating model. The report notes that New Zealand is ranked 32nd out of 32 OECD countries for access to modern medicines and calls for a significant programme of change in Pharmac that will require “inspiration, tenacity and commitment from leadership”.
If you’ve noticed that your pharmacy has given you a different brand of letrozole this month there’s no need to worry. The company that usually supplies the Letrole brand of this medicine has a temporary supply issue. They have sourced a different brand, Accord Letrozole, that will be used until their own product is available again. The replacement brand contains the same active ingredient (letrozole) in the same quantity as Letrole so should have exactly the same properties as Letrole. The usual brand is expected to reach NZ by mid- to late April, although pharmacies may continue to dispense the other brand until it has all been dispensed.
A cancer diagnosis can feel like the world has suddenly shifted beneath you, bringing uncertainty, fear, and overwhelming emotions. BCAC member Jan Haworth, who runs Mindfulness Aotearoa, recently shared how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helped her navigate her breast cancer journey—offering a way to face uncertainty, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with joy, even amid treatment. With growing evidence supporting its benefits, mindfulness is a powerful tool for anyone experiencing the challenges of cancer. Learn more about how it can help you or someone you love. You can read Jan's article here.
BCAC urges you to sign this petition, lodged by Catherine Cooke, asking the government to fund Keytruda for early stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We applied to Pharmac for funding of Keytruda for early and advanced TNBC in November 2022. In October 2024 Pharmac approved funding of this medicine for advanced TNBC, but not for early stage TNBC, even though this was recommended by their own clinical advisory committee in 2023.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and Sweet Louise have just launched their Breast Cancer Journey Mapping Project. The aim is to better understand the experiences of New Zealand women who have faced breast cancer and to use the insights gained to ensure that all women have a better experience. Breast Cancer Foundation and Sweet Louise are inviting people over 25 years old, diagnosed with Stage 2, 3 or 4 breast cancer between 2020 and 2024, and living in Northland, Auckland or Christchurch to take part in small group workshops to share their experiences in a supportive and inclusive environment. They hope that the knowledge gained will help to improve care, support, and outcomes for others.
Could you spare about 2hrs helping us understand Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment or ‘Brain Fog’?
WHY: To see if the brain changes in those who have cancer or get treatment.
WHO: Women who have just received a breast cancer diagnosis AND women who are healthy and want to help.
WHAT is involved: Having two brain scans in a MRI scanner and completing three questionnaires. The scans will be at different times (for patients one before your surgery and one after your first chemotherapy).
HOW LONG: Each visit to the MRI scanner will last up to 1.5 hours. 50mins of this will be the brain scan.
WHERE: The University of Auckland Centre for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CAMRI) 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland (parking arranged).
Pharmac’s announcement that they will fund the breakthrough medicine Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan, T-DXd) from 1st January 2025 for advanced HER2 positive breast cancer (HER2+ ABC) is fantastic news.
Libby Burgess, chair of BCAC, says: “We’re delighted to see this vital medicine funded given the outstanding results from clinical trials showing that Enhertu keeps the cancer stable for four times as long as the previous best treatment and increases length of life. We’re very pleased that Pharmac has listened to our feedback on its consultation and extended funding to include those whose cancer has already advanced on Kadcyla and to allow those who have unmanageable side effects with Enhertu to be treated with Kadcyla. The decision to fund will enable women and their families to…
Chair Libby Burgess and Secretary Fay Sowerby recently delivered BCAC’s 2024 Ministerial Briefing to Hon. Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Health. The briefing identifies priority areas for action to improve breast cancer outcomes. (You can read the full briefing by clicking here). Libby and Fay also met with Hon. Dr Ayesha Verrall (Labour) and MP Todd Stephenson (ACT) to discuss the briefing in detail, and it was copied to politicians with an interest in health and technology from all parties.
