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New research shows that a lack of clinical trials aimed specifically at younger breast cancer patients leaves knowledge gaps that could be partly to blame for their poorer survival rates.
The study, by Cancer Research UK study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, analysed almost 3000 British women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40.
It looked at the survival for younger patients with oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer; that is women whose cancers are fuelled by the female hormone oestrogen.
The findings showed that there was a steep increase in the rate of breast cancer recurrence after five years in younger women with this type of disease, who received chemotherapy followed by the drug tamoxifen.
A Missouri University of Science and Technology researcher has developed a new screening method that uses urinalysis to diagnose breast cancer – and determine its severity – before it could be detected with a mammogram.
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition is thrilled with the success of its annual Show Your Heart for Women Living with Breast Cancer campaign, which has netted an impressive $71,000.
That money will help fund the revision, printing and distribution of BCAC’s support and information resource Step by Step which is offered free-of-charge to New Zealand women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
BCAC want to say a huge thank you to Arnott’s Tim Tam, Woman’s Day magazine, and Countdown supermarkets for their involvement and support in the Show Your Heart campaign.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, says all three companies have made a real difference in the lives of women with breast cancer.
The debate over breast screening has been re-ignited with the publication of a new study which suggests that screening has not yet reduced the number of deaths from the breast cancer in the UK.
This is in direct contrast to another UK study published in the Lancet last year, which showed that patients invited for mammogram screening had a 20 per cent lower relative risk of breast cancer death than those who were not invited. It also contradicts recent US and Danish studies which report significant survival benefits from breast screening programmes.
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) welcomes the launch of a new website designed to make it easier to find out about clinical trials available in New Zealand.
The Clinical Trials Portal offers a quick and accessible way for the public, healthcare providers, clinicians and those in the pharmaceutical industry to gather information about clinical trials online.
The site explains what each trial aims to do, who is eligible and how the recruitment process works.
BCAC Chair Libby Burgess welcomes the new initiative.
Sarah shares her personal breast cancer journey and some of the things that journey has taught her. Read her story below.
For the first time, standards have been developed detailing the best practice treatments for all types of breast cancer to ensure that every New Zealander gets the best possible care.
You now have the opportunity to comment on these standards and BCAC is urging you to do so. Your input could play a part in improving breast cancer care for women yet to be treated.
The Boobops Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Team have capped off an amazing season winning their third consecutive National title win at the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association National Championships held at the Blue Lakes Rotorua on Saturday 6th April. The Boobops won gold in the 500 meter premium race bronze in the 200 meter sprint after being impeded from a collison recovered to get bronze the Gold was won by Pink Dragons which was fantastic the team were are very happy for Pink Dragon along time coming. With the 2 kilometer event the results were given out at prize given which Boobops won Gold in posting two personal best times for the 500 and 2000meters. The team also picked up the Breast Cancer Cup and the Rountree Shield again as part of the 500 meter win.
A huge thanks to everyone who got in behind BCAC's annual fundraiser, Show Your Heart for Women Living with Breast Cancer, which ran between April 22 and May 19.
In particular, we'd like to acknowledge the support of Arnott's Tim Tam, Woman's Day magazine and Countdown supermarkets.
Arnott's Tim Tam and Woman's Day donated money from every purchase at Countdown supermakets to BCAC. The money raised will help BCAC produce and distribute our Step by Step support and information pack to the 2,800 New Zealanders newly diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
St Heliers grandmother, Raewyn Francis, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and says BCAC’s Step by Step was her ‘soul mate’ throughout her treatment programme.
Raewyn had had a small lump in her breast since the late ‘80s and was usually good about going for her regular mammograms in order to keep an eye on it.
In 2012, she noted the lump had slightly changed shape. About the same time she received her yearly reminder for breast screening, but didn’t get around to making an appointment because she was busy and stressed with other things going on in her life. Then one day, her boss insisted she ‘just make the appointment and go before work ’. To this day Raewyn will be forever thankful.
