BCAC Spring 2024 E Newsletter

Spring 2024

Breast cancer has been in the spotlight once again this spring, with many sharing their stories in the press and running events to raise awareness of this disease, the most common cancer for kiwi women.

In this newsletter, we report on our meetings with politicians in Wellington, the funding of another medicine, lighting up Auckland’s harbour bridge to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer, BreastScreen Aotearoa’s 25th anniversary, and lots of dragon boating activity from our member groups. We also have some tips for staying positive from our awesome Metavivors and new advice about needles and arms after lymph node surgery.

Please scroll down to see our latest news, and updates from our member groups. Don’t forget to keep checking for more news by clicking on our homepage here and following us on Facebook.

Priorities for breast cancer – BCAC briefs the Minister

BCAC recently delivered our Ministerial Briefing, outlining priority areas for action to improve breast cancer outcomes, to Hon. Dr Shane Reti. We also met with Hon. Dr Ayesha Verrall and MP Todd Stephenson. You can read more about this here.

Breakthrough medicine Enhertu to be funded for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer

It’s wonderful news for those with HER2 positive advanced breast cancer that Pharmac proposes to fund Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan, T-DXd), a breakthrough HER2-targeted medicine, from 1st January 2025. Read more about this here.

Lighting up for metastatic breast cancer

International Metastatic (Advanced) Breast Cancer Day was celebrated in style with the Auckland Harbour Bridge bathed in blue, green and pink lights. Sweet Louise, a charity dedicated to supporting New Zealanders with metastatic breast cancer, hosted this event. You can read more about this here.

BreastScreen Aotearoa is 25 years old

Over the last 25 years, BreastScreen Aotearoa has provided more than 5 million free screening mammograms to New Zealand women. BCAC is pleased to see this milestone and we encourage all eligible women to take advantage of the national screening programme. You can read more about this here.

Taranaki Dragons have been busy!

The Taranaki Dragons held a very successful event with their annual Pink Walk and Paddle in early November. They’ve also made a Life Membership Award. Read more of their news here.

Busting With Life report on the first regatta of the season

Auckland’s Busting With Life dragon boating team had an awesome day at the Waikato Dragon Boating and Waka Ama Association Super 12 regatta on 16 November 2024. You can read more about their experience here.

Ideas for staying positive in tough times - Metavivors share their wisdom

One of the biggest challenges in any diagnosis, and treatment journey, is finding positivity during very worrying and difficult times. BCAC has compiled some brilliant ideas from Metavivors to help with this. They are all living with advanced breast cancer and they know what they are talking about! You can read more about this and the MetavivorsNZ group here.

New advice on needles and arms after axillary lymph node surgery

If you have had axillary (armpit) lymph nodes removed during breast surgery, you may have been told that you should avoid any medical procedures involving needles on the affected arm. However, recently this advice has been modified. Read more about this here.

Why not help BCAC as you spread Christmas cheer this year?

BCAC’s partnership with The Good Registry makes gift-giving easy. By clicking here you can buy gift certificates for those friends and family who already have everything they need, but would get a great feeling knowing they are helping women with breast cancer. Read more about this here.

Terriers race to raise funds in Gisborne

Terrier Race Against Time are holding their bi-annual terrier racing at Ashwood Park racecourse, Makaraka, on 1 December 2024. Read more about this event and the great work that this group does here.

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