Read all the latest news from BCAC member group, The Gift of Knowledge in their most recent newsletter for December 2014. Click here http://www.giftofknowledge.co.nz/Newsletters/December-2014/#toc
BCAC will meet the new Minister of Health, Jonathan Coleman, in March 2015 to highlight issues and concerns in the breast cancer community and we need your input to help identify the key priorities.
This is your opportunity to have your voice heard so if you are aware of any issues or problems with the treatment and support of New Zealanders with breast cancer, please let us know so we can inform the Minister and offer workable solutions.
Following a successful campaign last year, Storage King throughout New Zealand is again supporting the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) this October.
In 2013 Storage King in New Zealand teamed up with BCAC and raised more than $3000 for the charity organisation and this year stores across the country are aiming to do their bit once again.
Beyond the pink ribbons, the TV advertisements encouraging early detection and the fundraising events to raise money for breast cancer are those, both women and men, who are living with metastatic breast cancer – advanced cancer which has spread through the body.
Medical professionals have labelled the latest results from a clinical study showing breast cancer drug Perjeta greatly extends lives as "extraordinary" and an "unprecedented success."
A recent Australian court ruling allowing US biotech company Myriad Genetics to continue to own the patent over the BRCA1 gene is not expected to have a significant impact on patients or research here in New Zealand, according to local experts.
The Australian breast cancer patient Yvonne D’Arcy, whom launched the original case in 2010 against Myriad Genetics, did so over fears of the potential rise in costs to cancer patients if genes are patented.
Sweet Louise currently has 444 members, and since their launch in 2006, they have supported more than 1400 men and women with metastatic breast cancer. One of the key areas of focus this year has been family support.
Following a survey earlier this year, the Auckland bi-monthly Men's Group now have a speaker at each meeting, and this is appealing to more men supporting their family members with life threatening illness.
A new study has revealed the benefits of mammograms for women aged 75 years and older.
The research, published in the journal Radiology, shows that mammogram-detected breast cancers are found at an earlier stage; require less treatment; and lead to better survival rates.
Over the last ten years, YWCA Auckland has delivered Encore, a free gentle exercise programme for women who have had breast cancer treatment, helping over 3,000 women from Kerikeri down to Invercargill. Participants have ranged in age from 29 to 91, and over 80 women have trained to become facilitators.
October is fast approaching and that means Breast Cancer Action month. As a breast cancer team the Pink Dragons are keen to help raise awareness by supporting fund raising events whenever they can so many of them are signing up to help collect for both the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal and the Pink Star Walk in Auckland Domain.
