%1

BCAC is administered by a committee of women, most of whom have had breast cancer. Their experience of breast cancer has motivated them to dedicate themselves to improving the care and treatment other newly diagnosed women receive.

Our committee members are:

	Libby Burgess - Chair  Libby Burgess chairs BCAC, a charity that supports, informs and represents New Zealanders with breast cancer. She serves as a patient representative on the Breast Special Interest Group of NZ specialists and is an affiliate member of Breast Cancer Trials (Australia and New Zealand). Libby is a member of the Consumer Reference Group of New Zealand's Cancer Control Agency, Te Aho o te Kahu. She has actively campaigned on a range of breast cancer issues including access to screening, timely diagnosis and treatment, innovative medicines, provision of breast reconstructive surgery and equitable access to high quality cancer services for all New Zealanders. She has contributed to Guidelines for the Treatment of Early Breast Cancer and Standards of Service Provision for Breast Cancer Patients in New Zealand. Libby was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41. She is a biological scientist based in Auckland, New Zealand and was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2011 for services to women's health.
	Emma Crowley - Deputy Chair Emma works for an employment law firm in downtown Auckland. She was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer in 2012 at age 24. Emma wants to see all breast cancer patients in New Zealand have access to the best quality care and medicines available globally. She is also interested in health policy and the law surrounding this.
	Fay Sowerby - Secretary Fay joined BCAC in 2015 because she sees an ongoing need to improve: outcomes for Maori and Pasifika women, access to medicines and medical devices, research and clinical trials for breast cancer patients in New Zealand. Fay is Chair of Breast Cancer Cure (2009-Present) which funds research through the Breast Cancer Research in New Zealand Partnership, is a member of the Health Research Council Research Assessment Committee (2013-Present) and a member of Breast Cancer Trials Communication and Fundraising Committee. Fay advocates for research to improved early detection, predictive and prognostic diagnosis with the discovery and development of new targeted treatments and prevention. Fay was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. Earlier in her career she was a consultant and Director with KPMG and KPMG Consulting for 20 years, later managing her own consultancy and was a Crown Owned Entity board member. Fay and her husband Warren have two adult daughters, and four grandchildren. She seeks to retain a balanced lifestyle while supporting family and improving outcomes for New Zealand women.
	Louise Malone - Treasurer  Dr Louise Malone is BCAC's treasurer. Whilst she has not had breast cancer herself, Louise has many close friends who are survivors. She is motivated by a desire to help ensure that New Zealand women receive world-class, scientifically-supported treatment for breast cancer, and a wish that the voices of those with cancer be heard and taken seriously by decision-makers. Louise is a retired scientist with more than 70 peer-reviewed publications in the field of agricultural entomology.
	Rowena Mortimer Rowena was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She lives in Coatesville with her husband Barry and has two adult children. Rowena is a partner in the law firm Lewis Mortimer Law based in Browns Bay, Auckland and firmly believes that cancer patients deserve a better deal than they are receiving at the moment. Her aim is to advocate on behalf of breast cancer and all cancer patients to improve all aspects of their care. In her spare time she walks, watches dressage, thinks about taking up squash and loves to travel.
	Gillian Wintrup Gillian Wintrup lives in Tokoroa and is a member of the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust. As a researcher and young woman who has had breast cancer (she was diagnosed at 35) she is determined to find better ways to help young women experiencing the disease. She has also participated in Look Good Feel Better, Encore and Pink Pilates and felt she needed to give something back to the community. Gillian works as a programme researcher for FITEC, the Forest and Wood industry training organisation which creates the qualifications for workers in these industries.
	Greer Davis Greer was 25 when she was diagnosed with ER+/PR-/HER2- breast cancer in 2012. Through her unexpected experiences as a young woman dealing with treatment decisions, surgery, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery, she became very interested in how young women’s experiences of breast cancer can be improved in New Zealand, and was determined to make something positive out of her experience. In 2013, with assistance from BCAC Greer attended a conference in the USA specifically for young women with breast cancer (C4YW 2013). She was impressed and envious of the resources and support that young women with breast cancer receive in the US and is keen to see what can be done in New Zealand.
	Lynda Ames Lynda lives in Auckland and was 38 years old when first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. After radiotherapy, mastectomy and chemotherapy Lynda enjoyed good health and continued to work and travel with her husband, Richard. Unfortunately in 2008 her cancer returned. Although Lynda accepted everything conventional medicine had to offer she also looked into how complementary medicine could help her. Lynda and Richard then attended the Life and Living retreat at The Gawler Foundation where Lynda learned how to help herself and play an active role in her own healing. Lynda’s cancer is HER2+ and she has to thank BCAC and supporters for campaigning to get Herceptin fully funded. Lynda is currently a volunteer at The Ambury Park Centre – Riding Therapy for disabled children.
	Philippa Reed Philippa is Partnerships Manager at CanTeen Aotearoa, which has now joined BCAC as a member group. Philippa was previoulsy CEO of Sweet Louise, having had senior roles in diversity and inclusion, also as CEO of the EEO Trust (now Diversityworks), and the University of Auckland and KPMG.
	Terre Nicholson Terre is originally from the US and became a New Zealand citizen in 2017. She was diagnosed with ER/PR+ early stage breast cancer in 2007 with a less than 5% chance of recurrence. However, in 2013, Terre was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and was given less than two years to live but, has beaten the odds and is still stable over five years later. Terre is passionate about obtaining funding for life-extending medications for Stage 4 breast cancer. She believes that every day Stage 4 metavivors are alive, they’re closer to a cure, so these medications are critical and they deserve the chance to extend their lives without having to fundraise to do it. Terre works full time as an environmental engineer and is involved with contaminated land clean up and helping assure that high-hazard facilities are as safe as possible. In her spare time, she rescues cats who are desexed, microchipped, and adopted out to loving homes.
	Catrin Devonald Catrin is from Cardiff in the UK but having travelled extensively has now settled in New Zealand with Auckland as her home. With a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit industry, Catrin joined Sweet Louise as CEO in April 2020. She has worked with cancer charities, mainly in campaigning, marketing and fundraising roles, both here and in the UK for more than 10 years. She is motivated by her experiences supporting two close friends with their breast cancer diagnoses. "I was amazed and horrified at the differences in treatment and care afforded to my two friends only because they lived in different parts of the country. It is really important that we combine to achieve the best we can for anyone in NZ with breast cancer and becoming part of BCAC is a vital step to strengthening the voice for patients country wide. Anything we can do as a coalition to access better and consistent treatment for patients is a win for those who need it."
	Tanya Newman Tanya was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, at around the same time her mother was diagnosed with cancer. From this time on she became very interested in health and wellbeing, and complementary approaches to healing, as well as best practice conventional medicine. She is passionate about ensuring all women with breast cancer have the opportunity to receive the best information, treatment and support they can. She is head of counselling at an Auckland secondary school and prior to this was a teacher for many years. Tanya has an adult daughter. She loves walking, yoga and meditation, and cooking.
	Maria Marama Iwi affiliations: Te Arawa/Ngati Whakaue/Cook Islands Maria is an experienced kaupapa Maori research and evaluation practitioner working over 9 years in this space. She is experienced in all phases of evaluations. As an independent Maori evaluator, she works in partnership with others and in particular on projects which better meet the needs and aspirations of whanau, hapu, iwi and Maori communities. Project span a wide range of sectors including employment, economic development, health, housing and justice. Evauations which she is most proud of are Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (AODTC) Maori Housing Network, Well Child Tamariki Ora Review because of their potential to impact positively on whanau Maori. Maria's personal health journey and professional experience of helping others to navigate their way through a complex health and disability system enables her to find solutions and think outside of the box. She is an energising connector of people using tikanga and kaupapa Maori ways of engaging with Maori and non-Maori communities. She balances her home and work life with her love of coaching netball. Formal qualifications: BA Sociology/Maori, Dip Adult Teaching, Dip Te Aupiki ki te Reo Kairangi, PG Dip Health/Admin (tbc). Currently enrolled in MA Social Practice.
	Sarah Cato Sarah was 31 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Soon after her mastectomy she was diagnosed with PR+/ ER+/ HER2+ metastatic breast cancer for which she has undergone various treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, Herceptin as well as various other hormone and targeted therapies.Sarah belongs to the advanced breast cancer support group ‘Metavivors’. She was one of the 100 or so patients who were refused access to Perjeta when it became publicly funded in 2017. In 2018 Sarah ran a very public and successful campaign, raising over $200k to self-fund her treatment which cost in excess of $7k every three weeks. She understands what it is like to be discriminated against when accessing life prolonging medicines. She is committed to advocating for better access to modern cancer medicines in New Zealand. Sarah took an active part alongside fellow advocates and survivors that petitioned and marched on Parliament in 2018. She also presented at the Health Select Committee in 2019 to fight for patient access to Ibrance and Kadcyla through the public health system. Sarah is fiercely passionate about patient rights, empowerment, and equitable access to world class cancer treatment. Her passion in this area crosses over from her career as a Police Officer and Detective specializing in child protection and sensitive abuse. She currently works full time as Specialist Private Investigator.
	Linda Fatialofa Although Linda has not been diagnosed with breast cancer, she is closely connected to breast cancer survivors in her family and is motivated to support all women diagnosed with breast cancer. Linda has a background in Whanau Ora commissioning agency Pasifika Futures and is currently a Senior Advisor in Policy and Research at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. As part of her work with BCAC she aims to improve and advocate for early detection, access to information, targeted treatment, and holistic care for Pasifika and Maori diagnosed with breast cancer.
	Belinda Tran-Lawrence Belinda Tran-Lawrence was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer at the age of 43. She has lived in Taranaki for most of her adult life and with her husband has raised three children who have now all headed off to do their own thing. As well as being a small business owner she has worked as a teacher at both secondary school and university level and been involved in a range of community initiatives.  Belinda is the founder and admin of the rapidly growing Aotearoa NZ Breast Cancer Community, which works to lessen the isolation of those going through breast cancer through providing connections and the sharing of information and resources. Her passion for patient advocacy has also led her to be a member of the TDHB consumer advisory group. Belinda’s passion for using her voice to shape and develop health care systems that are patient centred and responsive to consumer and whānau need (particularly with regards to vulnerable and minority communities) has grown out of her overarching personal philosophies. These are centred on social justice, equitable access and outcomes, and the need to prioritise and centre previously marginalised voices and identities.

On this page, you'll find some of the recent press releases BCAC has issued.  To remain updated on news from BCAC, please click here and subscribe to our e-newsletter. 

There are a number of screening tests available to identify tumours in the breast or surrounding tissue.  These include:

• mammograms
• ultrasound
• MRI scan

Mammograms are the most commonly used way to detect breast cancer in women who have no other obvious signs or symptoms of the disease.  BCAC advises all women between the ages of 45 and 69 to take advantage of the free breast screening programme run by BreastScreen Aotearoa. In 2017 the government committed to extending free mammograms to those aged 70 to 74 years, but this has not yet been implemented (September 2022).

Ultrasound is often used once an abnormality has been identified in a mammogram test to determine the extent and localisation of the disease.  However, sometimes ultrasound is used to identify a suspicious lump that can be felt by you or your doctor. 

A breast MRI scan may sometimes be offered, but in general is not routinely used as a screening test.

You may have seen thermography advertised as a screening tool for breast cancer.  BCAC does not recommend thermography as a screening or diagnostic tool.  There has been no detailed scientific evidence to show that thermography is a reliable and effective screening test or diagnostic tool.  For more information, read our position statement on thermography.

Knowing your breasts and what is normal for you is one of the best ways to detect new breast changes. This is called being breast aware and it is key in identifying any changes in your breasts which could be worrying.

Any woman of any age can practise breast awareness. It simply involves knowing what your breasts look like and how they ordinarily feel so that you can easily identify any changes.

Make it part of your day when you are showering or getting dressed. If you still have your monthly periods, try to examine your breasts routinely in the same week of your monthly cycle, as the lumpiness in your breasts might change during your cycle. In general breasts are least lumpy in the time around your period. 

Be on the look out for these common symptoms:

• a lump or thickening in the breast, especially if it’s only in one breast
• changes in the size or shape of your breast
• changes to the nipple, especially redness, bleeding or discharge
• skin redness or a rash
• a pain that doesn’t go away
• lumps in your armpits and/or the triangle area above your collar bone

If you notice anything unusual consult your doctor straight away. 

Read more about the early detection of breast cancer on our mammograms page and if you're aged between 45 and 69 find out about the free mammogram screening programme run by BreastScreen Aotearoa.

On this page you'll find more news from BCAC and news about breast cancer initiatives around New Zealand.  To get email updates, click here and subscribe to the BCAC e-newsletter. 

Clinical trials are research studies in which new treatments are tested against current standard treatments. They involve patients taking new drugs or undergoing new treatments to see whether these are effective in combating disease.

There are numerous breast cancer clinical trials currently underway throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world. These aim to identify new and more effective ways of treating breast cancer or ways of preventing it from occurring.

On this page you can find out more about how clinical trials work and the clinical trials that are currently underway in New Zealand. To find out more about the latest international research, check out our research news.

How does a clinical trial work?
Research nurse Jenni Scarlet tells us more about clinical trials,the different types of trials, reasons for participating and trial protocols.

Why participate in a clinical trial?
Breast cancer survivor Raewyn Calvert has been involved in a clinical trial and talks about reasons to participate in breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Trials
Breast Cancer Trials is a group of world-leading breast cancer doctors and researchers based in Australia and New Zealand. The group has been conducting clinical trials research for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer in Australia and New Zealand for 40 years. Find out more about some of the ground-breaking outcomes of their research.

Current Clinical Trials

FINER Trial (recruiting)

This clinical trial aims to find out if a new drug, ipatasertib (an AKT inhibitor) can slow the growth of advanced ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer when added to standard therapy (fulvestrant). New Zealand sites for this trial are: Auckland City Hospital and Wellington Hospital.

Astefania Trial (recruiting)

This clinical trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant atezolizumab (Tecentriq) or placebo and trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) for HER2-positive breast cancer at high risk of recurrence following preoperative therapy. New Zealand sites for this trials are: Auckland City Hospital and Tauranga Hospital (now closed - no longer recruiting).

INAVO120 Trial (recruiting) 

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Inavolisib in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant in patients with PIK3CA-mutant, hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. New Zealand sites for this trial are: Auckland City Hospital, Waikato Hospital, Palmerston North Hospital (recently closed, so no longer recruiting at this site)  and Christchurch Hospital.

EXPERT Trial - EXamining PErsonalised Radiation Therapy for low-risk early breast cancer (recruiting)

This is a randomised phase III trial of adjuvant radiation therapy versus observation following breast conserving surgery and endocrine therapy in patients with molecularly characterised luminal A early breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to see whether a specialised laboratory test (Prosigna (PAM50) Assay) of breast cancer tissue can be used to choose women who can safely avoid radiation therapy because there is a low risk of the cancer coming back. New Zealand sites are Waikato Hospital, Christchurch Hospital, Wellington Hospital and Palmerston North Hospital.

ATNEC (recruiting)

A phase III, open, randomised, multicentre trial comparing standard axillary treatment (either axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or axillary radiotherapy (ART)) with no axillary treatment post-surgery, in early stage (T1-3N1M0) breast cancer patients.  The only New Zealand trial site is Wellington Hospital.

ctDNA Breast Study

This is an in-house study at Christchurch Hospital collecting ctDNA alongside clinical care. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is DNA released by a tumour into the bloodstream; it can be detected in a blood test to provide information about the state of a person's cancer. In breast cancer, it is used mainly in research or in clinical trials, but it will likely be used in routine clinical practice once certain issues have been worked out and methods of analysis have been improved and standardized.  

OPTIMA Trial - OPTImal Personalised Treatment of early breast cancer using Multiparameter Analysis: a randomised study (pending activation)

The purpose of this study is to see whether a specialised laboratory test (Prosigna (PAM50) Assay) of breast cancer tissue can be used to choose women with early ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer who can safely avoid chemotherapy because there is a low risk of the cancer coming back. New Zealand sites will be Waikato Hospital (lead site), Tauranga Hospital, Wellington Hospital and Palmerston North Hospital.

Cambria-2 (pending activation)

This is a Phase II open-label study to assess the efficacy and safety of camizestrant (a next-generation oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader - SERD) compared to standard endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen) for patients with early ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer and an intermediate-to-high or high risk of recurrence and who have completed definitive locoregional treatment and have no evidence of disease.  New Zealand trial sites will be Auckland Hospital, Waikato Hospital and Palmerston North Hospital.

pioNERA Breast Cancer (pending activation)

This is a Phase III, randomized, open-label multicentre study that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of giredestrant compared with fulvestrant, both in combination with the investigator's choice of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib, ribociclib or abemaciclib), in participants with ER-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer who have developed resistance to adjuvant endocrine therapy. New Zealand trial sites will be Palmerston North and Northland. 

NeoN Trial (recruitment closed and in follow-up)

The NeoN trial is coordinated through Breast Cancer Trials and investigates if using an immunotherapy drug alone prior to the combination of immunotherapy and standard chemotherapy is safe and effective in treating breast cancer before surgery. This trial was open to both women and men diagnosed with unilateral triple negative early breast cancer. Early results from this trial were announced in December 2023; read more here. Waikato Hospital is the New Zealand site for this trial. In April 2024, NZ researchers reported that they were waiting for the 3rd arm of this trial to open, so potentially there could be more recruitment to this trial.

STARS Trial (active but not currently recruiting)

This clinical trial compares the order of treatments for women who have oestrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive breast cancer and need both radiation treatment and hormone medication (anastrozole) to control the breast cancer following surgery. In New Zealand the trial is open in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

PersevERA Trial (recruitment completed, trial participants in follow-up) 

This clinical trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of GDC-9545 combined with palbociclib compared with Letrozole combined with palbociclib in patients with oestrogen receptor positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. New Zealand sites for this trial are Auckland City Hospital and Waikato Hospital.

POSNOC Trial (recruitment completed, trial participants in follow-up)

POSNOC - POsitive Sentinel NOde: adjuvant therapy alone versus adjuvant therapy plus axillary clearance or axillary radiotherapy. A randomised controlled trial of axillary treatment in women with early stage breast cancer who have metastases in one or two sentinel nodes.

Lymph node grafting for the treatment of upper limb lymphoedema (recruitment completed, trial participants in follow-up)

This phase II, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial will compare lymph node grafting, in addition to standard lymphoedema therapy; against standard lymphoedema therapy alone. Study participants will be those with residual stage one to two breast-cancer related lymphoedema, despite initial treatment with standard lymphoedema therapy.

PATINA Trial (active, but not recuiting)

This is a randomised, open label, Phase III Trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of palbociclib + anti-HER2 therapy + endocrine therapy vs. anti-HER2 therapy + endocrine therapy after induction treatment for hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. It is open to people diagnosed with hormone receptor (HR) positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) positive metastatic breast cancer.

MonarchE Trial (recruitment closed and in follow-up)

A randomised, open label, Phase III study of abemaciclib combined with standard adjuvant endocrine therapy alone in patients with high risk, node positive, early stage, hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. The aim of this study, MonarchE, is to evaluate whether the combination of abemaciclib plus standard adjuvant endocrine therapy improves outcomes in participants with a certain type of breast cancer compared to adjuvant endocrine therapy alone. This study is now closed; no new patients will be recruited but those already in the study will continue to be followed up. Results published so far have shown that adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in these patients.

IBCSG 24-02/BIG 2-02: SOFT (recruitment closed and in follow-up)

Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial. A phase III trial evaluating the role of ovarian function suppression and the role of exemestane as adjuvant therapies for premenopausal women with endocrine responsive breast cancer. New Zealand sites are Waikato Hospital, Christchurch Hospital, Palmerston North Hospital and Auckland Hospital.

SNAC-2 Trial (closed, results being analysed)

This trial, which began in 2006, has compared two operations for detecting cancer cells in the lymph nodes of women with early breast cancer - sentinal node biopsy versus auxillary clearance.  It followed on from an earlier trial, SNAC-1, and aimed to extend its findings by recruiting women with larger tumours and multiple tumours. A fact sheet about the SNAC trials can be seen here. SNAC-2 follow-up was completed in January 2023 and analysis of the results is currently under way. 

TROG Trial (recruitment closed and in follow-up)

This trial was for women who have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. It aimed to see whether improvements could be made to radiation treatment after surgery by giving women an extra treatment 'boost' dose, and also whether a shorter course of whole breast irradiation was as effective as a long one. In a recent study summary, the researchers concluded that the boost treatment reduced the risk of recurrence and that the shorter course of whole breast irradiation (16 treatments) was as effective as the longer course. A final analysis of all results is planned for 2024.

Will an adapted Mediterranean diet (BC-MED) improve health in breast cancer survivors? (completed)

This trial investigated whether an adapted Mediterranean diet improves health outcomes for women who have been treated for early stage breast cancer. Study participants were divided into three groups: one group followed an adapted Mediterranean diet, another followed a low-fat diet, and the third (control) group ate their normal diet. Compared to the control group, both the 'diet' groups lost weight, with significant decreases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and had improved blood biomarkers, such as blood lipids and blood glucose. Both diet groups showed satisfactory adherence to their diets. The researchers concluded that nutritional education and group support appears to exert beneficial effects on health in breast cancer survivors; of lesser importance is the type of diet that forms the basis of the education. 

The published results of this study can be seen here.

PantoCIN (early breast cancer trial for ER+) (completed)

The PantoCIN trial aimed to test the ability of a cheap, widely available drug to prevent two of chemotherapy's most unpleasant side-effects: delayed nausea and vomiting. These can occur after breast cancer chemotherapy, affecting the quality of life. A potential cause of these delayed side effects is that the chemotherapy may cause stomach irritation. Pantoprazole is commonly used to treat stomach irritation by reducing stomach acid, which may, in turn, improve nausea and/or vomiting. This study has explored whether this medication can help prevent these side effects from chemotherapy for early breast cancer. This trial has now been completed and has shown that pantoprazole is an effective treatment. Find out more.

Hot Flush Trial - Phase II (completed)

QUE Oncology has completed a Phase II trial at several sites in New Zealand for its novel non-hormonal therapy for women with breast cancer suffering hot flushes and night sweats. After a breast cancer diagnosis, women are routinely prescribed drugs such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (known as endocrine therapy) for up to 10 years post-diagnosis. These drugs are known to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer by reducing or blocking the action of estrogen, a hormone known to stimulate the growth of breast cancer. However, the most common side-effect of reducing estrogen is an increased likelihood of hot flushes and night sweats. These symptoms can severely impact a woman's quality of life and often cause them to stop taking their breast cancer treatment. QUE Oncology is looking to develop a therapy to address these symptoms. Find out more about the trial here.

MARIANNE Trial (completed)

The final results of MARIANNE were published in 2019. They showed that trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) with or without pertuzumab showed noninferior progression-free survival and better tolerability than trastuzumab plus a taxane for the treatment of HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. The researchers concluded that the results supported the use of trastuzumab emtansine as a first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who are deemed unsuitable for taxane-based therapy.

e 

BCAC is committed to improving the detection, treatment and care of women with breast cancer in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

But we can't do it alone.  We need your help - whether it be by donating money, participating in one of our events, or joining our committee.

Please look to the right and make a donation, find out more about events you can become involved in or join us as a business partner.

We look forward to working with you to reduce the number of New Zealand women who lose their lives to breast cancer.

A breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is not a journey that is made alone.  The woman diagnosed takes her husband, partner, children, parents, siblings and friends with her.

If you’re supporting a woman through breast cancer, on these pages you'll find some tips on how to help her and some advice on how to cope yourself.

A diagnosis of breast cancer, the subsequent treatment and life afterwards is not just physically tough - it takes a psychological and emotional toll as well. 

It’s important to have support throughout the different phases of your breast cancer journey.  

Below you’ll find information on coping with a new diagnosis and the physical, emotional, and financial challenges breast cancer can force you to face.