On this page we list some New Zealand organisations and general websites offering breast cancer related information, advice and support services.

You may also like to visit our Link of the Week page which features links to stories of interest about breast cancer from around the world.

A good place to start when seeking information about services in your area is the Cancer Society of New Zealand. Call their toll free cancer HELP line on 0800 226 237 for connection to your local division.

A number of international and NZ based websites offer good general information too.

There are many options available so please contact us if we can help direct you to the services and information you need.

 

New Zealand Breast Cancer Related Organisations

Age Concern: www.ageconcern.org.nz
Age Concern New Zealand is dedicated to promoting the quality of life and well-being of older people.


Ascot Radiology Pink Dragons: www.pinkdragons.org.nz
Auckland based Dragon Boating team for women who have experienced breast cancer. "We paddle to encourage others, regardless of age, to join us and have heaps of fun. We aim to inspire other breast cancer survivors to celebrate life, leading by example, through our participation in the exciting and exhilarating sport of dragon boating." Visit the website or call Robin on (09) 630 6423 or 021 146 8381.  

Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition: www.breastcancer.org.nz
Umbrella group representing 28 organisations – informs, represents, advocates, networks on behalf of women and families. Sponsors a support pack called Step by Step which is available free to women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Email bcac@breastcancer.org.nz

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
The Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG) website has information about clinical trials being conducted both in New Zealand and Australia. For the latest information, visit their website www.anzbctg.org

Breast Cancer Network: www.bcn.org.nz
Breast Cancer Network is an independent NZ-wide group for those who have experienced breast cancer and their supporters. By means of website, brochures, Upfront U Kaiora magazine, public meetings (and a 2007 conference) we share information and provide a voice  for women with breast cancer. The BCN project, ‘Stop Cancer Where it Starts’, aims to reduce the risk of breast cancer by promoting lifestyle and environmental changes. Upfront U Kaiora offers up-to-the-minute comment on many aspects of breast cancer, as well as letters, book reviews, research and personal stories. A registered charity, BCN is run by volunteers with the help of a paid part time administrator and part time editor. Email admin@bcn.org.nz or phone 09 360 0090. 


The Breast Cancer Research Trust: www.curebreastcancer.org.nz
The Breast Cancer Research Trust was established to raise funds to support breast cancer research. Grants are specifically dedicated to research and finding a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. Call toll free 0800 227 828.


Busting With Life: www.bustingwithlife.org.nz
The Busting With Life Dragon Boat team was established to provide hope and inspiration to those with breast cancer, and to make a difference - through heightening awareness of breast cancer, and through encouraging active living following a diagnosis and treatment of the disease. We do this by:
• Being a dragon boat team – competing and winning
• Demonstrating through action that age and lifestyle are no barrier
• Leading the way in building breast cancer dragon boating throughout New Zealand
• Being a public voice on breast cancer awareness issues

Cancer Society of New Zealand: www.cancernz.org.nz
The Cancer Society of New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to minimise the impact of cancer on our community through support, education and research. Has branches throughout NZ and is a good place to start when trying to make contact with breast cancer support groups in your area. Cancer HELP line 0800 226 237.


Casting for Recovery: www.castingforrecovery.org.nz
Non-profit organisation offering women recovering from breast cancer the opportunity to learn fly-fishing. Each two-and-a-half day retreat incorporates counseling, educational services and the sport of fly fishing to promote mental and physical healing.  


Kenzie’s Gift: www.kenziesgift.com
The vision of Kenzie's Gift is to establish a specialist team of community based family therapists, play/youth therapists and art/music therapists to provide support for families and children affected by cancer.


Look Good Feel Better: www.lgfb.co.nz
Look Good Feel Better is the CTFA's (Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association) charity programme which provides 2 million dollars' worth of product each year for LGFB workshops around New Zealand. Look Good Feel Better is a free service specifically designed to improve the quality of life of cancer patients by helping restore lost confidence and self esteem to those women who are dealing with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.


Lymphoedema Support Network: donofam@ihug.co.nz
The Lymphoedema Support Network is affiliated to the Auckland Cancer Society and was set up to: raise awareness of lymphoedema, support people living with lymphoedema and their families or carers and to provide accurate information on lymphoedema.

Mamazon Club: As lesbian survivors of breast cancer we share a social context that is not always recognized or understood by medical and support personnel with whom we interact during our breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. For information contact bcac@breastcancer.org.nz

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation: www.nzbcf.org.nz
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is the country’s foremost breast cancer education and awareness organisation. It is a non-government funded charitable trust promoting awareness of breast cancer, providing information and education, and raising funds to support breast cancer related initiatives including research, scholarships, medical grants, community education and a breast cancer patient register. The Foundation was specifically established to educate all New Zealanders on the life-saving benefits of early detection and the importance of mammograms. Call 0800 902 732.

The Pink Pilates Trust: www.pinkpilates.co.nz
The Pink Pilates programme has been specifically designed to help women diagnosed with breast cancer regain their physical strength, rebuild self esteem, and improve their body confidence. Check to see if there is a qualified facilitator in your area. Email info@pinkpilates.co.nz or phone 09 361 1078.


Sweet Louise (The Louise Perkins Foundation): www.sweetlouise.co.nz Provides support services for women living with secondary breast cancer. In addition to high quality conventional medical care, there are many other strategies that can help women with breast cancer to lead more positive lives. Sweet Louise provides information about these strategies on its website, and in its brochure, and currently allows women with secondary breast cancer who live in the Auckland region, to experience some of these services free of charge. Services are now available in Whangarei too. 0800 11 22 77.

Waikato Breast Cancer Trust: www.wbct.co.nz
The Waikato Breast Cancer Trust was established in 2000 to support research and education into breast cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment in the Waikato region.

YWCA Encore: www.akywca.org.nz
Free gentle exercise programme for women who have had breast cancer surgery at any time in their lives. Encore is an eight week programme of specifically designed pool and floor exercises, healthy lifestyle information, relaxation and peer support. Programmes are available in many areas throughout NZ. Call toll free 0800 362 673.

WONS: Nursing, Education and Health Promotion Service: www.wons.org.nz
Is committed to working with and assisting the community, other service providers and government to keep our women and their families well. (09) 846 7886 ext. 710.

Useful Websites

New Zealand-based sites
www.everybody.co.nz
'everybody' aims to provide useful and accurate consumer health information for New Zealanders. It is reviewed by medical writers, consumer health organisations and health professionals.

www.healthpoint.co.nz
Healthpoint provides local information about secondary and tertiary services, procedures, treatments and other useful information such as patient rights and government orgaisations associated with healthcare.

www.liveto100.co.nz 
'liveto100' is a health and wellbeing website written especially for New Zealanders – a comprehensive one-stop-shop for reliable information about: nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing, sleep and stress management. As health support and awareness organisations understand, in prevention can often lie the cure.

www.breastcancer.org.nz This is the website for the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition. It provides an excellent resource for local and national news and is a good networking tool.

www.bodycasting.co.nz Body casting kits make it easy to create a cast of your body at home. Finished casts are unique pieces of art that celebrate your body. Professional castings also available.
 

International sites
www.bcna.org.au This is an excellent website from the Breast Cancer Network Australia. Although it is primarily for women living in Australia, there is a wealth of information about breast cancer, treatments and care that NZ women would find most helpful.

www.breastcancer.org An American site providing excellent, easy to understand information about breast cancer, treatments and care – information is easy to find and is written with the lay person in mind.

www.breastcancerhealth.org Created by physicians, Breast Cancer Health was designed to improve the lives of people undergoing treatment and long-term breast cancer survivors.

www.komen.org Susan G. Komen Foundation aims to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

www.nbcc.org.au The National Breast Cancer Centre strives to reduce mortality and improve the well-being of women diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.