The link between alcohol and breast cancer risk is well-known, but can you reduce that risk by stopping or reducing your drinking? BCAC’s Louise Malone filed this report from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Obesity after menopause increases our risk of breast cancer, but what are the mechanisms behind this? The latest research results on this subject were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

‘De-escalation’ - reducing surgery, radiation and even medicines when treating low-risk breast cancer – was discussed in depth at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

BCAC’s Libby Burgess joined the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Singapore, held over three days in December. Read her report on the Patient Advocate Summit here.

New Zealanders have limited access to breast cancer clinical trials. BCAC’s Libby Burgess was interested to hear how those in other Asia Pacific (APAC) countries fare. Read her report from the ESMO Asia-Pacific Congress here

The ‘right to be forgotten’ refers to the stigma that can accompany a cancer diagnosis resulting in unfair treatment by financial institutions, insurance companies and employers. BCAC’s Libby Burgess learnt more about this at the ESMO Asia-Pacific Congress. Read more here.

BCAC was pleased to see the topics of sex and fertility being discussed at the ESMO Congress in Singapore as these are important issues for cancer patients that have not always had the attention that they deserve. Read more here.

Patient input into the assessment of new medicines by Pharmac is an important topic in NZ. BCAC’s Libby Burgess was pleased to hear from others with similar concerns in other Asia Pacific countries at the recent ESMO Congress. Read more here.

BCAC’s Libby Burgess caught up with the latest HER2 positive breast cancer research results at the ESMO Asia Pacific Congress in Singapore this December. Read more here.

Advanced cancer expert Dr Fatima Cardoso shared the latest findings on brain metastases in advanced HER2+ breast cancer at the recent ESMO Asia Pacific Congress. Read more here.

BCAC’s Libby Burgess caught up with the latest HR+ HER2- advanced breast cancer research results at the ESMO Asia Pacific Congress in Singapore this December. Read more here.

BCAC was delighted to hear Pharmac’s decision to fund Phesgo®, a rapidly injectable formulation of two anti HER2 medicines, pertuzumab and trastuzumab. Read more here.

BCAC joined with other patient organisations to reject Pharmac’s proposal to remove medicines from its ‘options for investment’ list. Read more about this here. (Spoiler alert: Pharmac listened and has backed down.)

Dragon boating is a great way to have fun, get fit and connect with others who have experienced breast cancer. BCAC member group Busting with Life sent in this report on their latest, very Christmas-y, activity. Read more here.

Breast Cancer Support Aotearoa will be running a free workshop mid-2026 in Tauranga for women to write about their personal experiences with breast cancer. Read more here.

Breast cancer doesn’t stop over Xmas. Over summer, at least 350 women will receive BCAC’s free Step by Step support pack. You can help – and take the stress out of Xmas gift-buying – by buying BCAC gift certificates here. Remember, every $20 helps us to get much-needed support to someone just diagnosed with breast cancer.