BCAC is pleased to see more international research on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a very early form of breast cancer which accounts for 22% of diagnoses made by BreastScreen Aotearoa. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a method for identifying ‘high-risk’ cases of DCIS that are more likely to become invasive and tailoring treatments to prevent this from happening. Read more here.

US researchers report early success with a method to help women with obesity to reduce their weight and so lower their risk of recurrence after a diagnosis of early breast cancer. Read more here.

New research shows that this medicine, currently used to treat women with advanced hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, is also effective for treating those with the early form of this breast cancer. Read more here.

BCAC is confident that Pharmac’s switch of breast cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) to Herzuma, a biosimilar version, will be safe and effective, but we wonder why it took so long to fund this cheaper alternative. BCAC is also disappointed that access has not been extended to those who need retreatment in advanced breast cancer. Read more here.

BCAC is hugely grateful to Jess Coate (Ngapuhi), a fitness instructor and bodybuilding pro, who organised an awesome fun fitness and learning event, attended by 80 women in Kirikiriroa Hamilton in May. Jess teamed up with BCAC to raise awareness of the danger breast cancer poses to young women. Read more here and view Jess’s video here.

BCAC was pleased to see results from a local clinical trial showing that pantoprazole, an anti-nausea medicine, produced real benefits for women experiencing delayed nausea and vomiting after completing their chemo for breast cancer. Read more here.

On the 11th of May we lost Kathleen Moriarty - An inspirational Leader, Founder, Team Captain, Sweep, fellow Dragon boater and Passionate Promoter of our Club and the sport of Dragon Boating to the very last.

That she was able to realize so many of her dreams this year is a huge consolation to us all. 

Kathleen’s joy at attending Nationals 2023 and the International Breast Cancer Paddling Festival as part of the Taranaki Pinks at Lake Karapiro was evident to all who saw her. 

Her legacy lives on with the very existence of our Club and her passion, generosity of spirit, attention to detail, knowledge and drive will be missed by us all. 

Taranaki Dragons President, Sharon Taylor

https://www.taranakidragons.co.nz/

Originally a Facebook group for people to find solidarity and share their experiences with a breast cancer diagnosis, the community has established a Registered Charitable Trust and a Board of Trustees. The newly formed organisation has a website where individuals can register for bi-monthly newsletters and donate to support the mahi of creating more opportunities for peer to peer connections and the sharing of lived experience to aid those navigating life with breast cancer. The organisation is powered by volunteers who have personally experienced breast cancer. If you are interested in volunteering your skills, get in touch.