About two thirds of the New Zealand female population are either overweight (Body Mass Index, BMI 25 – 29) or obese (BMI 30 or more). The figures for women with breast cancer are similar. At diagnosis, 31.1% of New Zealand women are overweight and 34.9% are obese.

It’s not too late to talk to political candidates about increasing NZ’s medicines budget. Too few are aware of the dire situation that many NZ women with advanced breast cancer find themselves in – having to find the money to privately fund their treatments, or go without. BCAC is hugely grateful to Judith Ansell, whose video for the Forbidden Pharmacy campaign so eloquently captures the dreadful dilemmas that so many face.

BCAC urges Ministers to implement consistent breast density reporting in BreastScreen Aotearoa, linking it to a risk-based pathway with targeted supplemental imaging, primarily MRI, ultrasound, or contrast-enhanced mammography for women with dense breasts and an elevated risk of breast cancer. BCAC is not asking for an automatic MRI or ultrasound for every woman with dense breasts.

“After 100 years, we need to do something” is how Dr Sunil Lakhani summed up a session on lobular breast cancer at Breast Cancer Trials’ recent scientific meeting (Brisbane, July 2026).

Medical oncologists from New Zealand and Australia met recently in Brisbane to discuss research progress with oral SERDs (selective oestrogen receptor degraders) for treating hormone receptor positive breast cancer. These medicines work by reducing oestrogen levels and keeping cancer cells in check.

Breast cancer patients prescribed SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline) to help with anxiety and depression after diagnosis need not fear that this will increase the risk of their cancer spreading (metastasis).

Even after six decades of silicone, “every implant fails eventually” according to Australian plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Michael Wagels who spoke at Breast Cancer Trials’ recent Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane.

If you have been diagnosed within the last three years and would like to take part in a 10-15 min anonymous online survey aimed at developing better resources to help others through their breast cancer experience, please click on this link. 

This election year, BCAC has joined forces with the Breast Cancer Foundation and 15 other patient advocacy organisations to publicise New Zealand’s shockingly poor access to publicly funded medicines.

Auckland’s two breast cancer dragon boat teams are joining forces to take on the world at the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) Dragon Boat Festival in France August 2026.  While fierce competitors on the water during the NZ dragon boating season, both the Pink Dragons and Busting With Life are great mates off the water.