BCAC is strongly supportive of the need to gather accurate information about the incidence of breast cancer in New Zealand through breast cancer patient registers.
This year's Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaign run by BCAC member group, the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, is raising money to establish breast cancer patient registers in all New Zealand oncology units.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, recently met with BreastScreen Aotearoa (BSA) representatives - Jacqui Akuhata-Brown (Group Leader, National Screening Unit (NSU)), Marli Gregory (newly appointed Clinical Leader, BSA), Barbara Irwin (Programme Leader, BSA) and Deborah Harris (Corporate Services Manager, BSA).
BCAC welcomes the announcement from BreastScreen Aotearoa that Dr Marli Gregory has been appointed as its new clinical leader.
Marli says she is excited at the opportunity to work with BreastScreen Aotearoa and the NSU, and looks forward to extending her skills and knowledge into new areas.
“I am proud to be part of helping all New Zealand women have access to our world class breast screening programme.”
Low vitamin D levels among women with breast cancer correlate with more aggressive tumors and poorer prognosis, according to a new University of Rochester Medical Center study highlighted at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting in Washington, D.C in May 2011.
Sadly, BCAC member group, the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust (RBCT), recently lost their chairperson to breast cancer. Fellow trustees on the RBCT write of her warmth and vitality and how Donna showed them how to meet life's challenges head on. Read their tribute below.
When I first met Donna we had an instant connection. We were both facing a huge hurdle - breast cancer. I had just completed my treatment journey and Donna was about to embark on hers.
May 2011
Women who have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast are invited to take part in a research study to see whether improvements can be made to radiation treatment.
Participants will have had surgery to remove part of the breast that has DCIS. Radiation treatment after surgery improves the chances of not developing further cancer in that breast. This treatment is suitable for women with DCIS.
The Marianne trial is an international trial which will involve up to 1092 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using a new drug known T-DM1.
T-DM1 is a new compound which consists of trastuzumab (Herceptin®), a linker molecule and the cytotoxic (chemotherapeutic) agent DM1.
BCAC is pleased a new linear accelerator is in the wings for the Southern DHB and believes will make a difference for cancer patients.
Women in the Rodney region, north of Auckland, will now have easier access to breast screening and more choice, thanks to a new digital mobile breast screening unit now operating in the area.
BreastScreen Waitemata Northland, screens about 35,500 women a year and the new mobile unit will operate from up to six sites throughout Rodney, replacing fixed breast screening sites in Orewa and Warkworth.
BCAC welcomes new reports which show that nearly 41,500 more women aged 50 to 69 have taken part in the Government’s free breast cancer screening programme in the 24 months to December 2010 than in the previous period.
The percentage of Maori and Pasifika women having breast screening has had the greatest increase, with a further 5486 Maori women and 2898 Pasifika women taking part in the programme over the 24 month period to December 2010.
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