BREAST CANCER IN NZ

According to the Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in New Zealand, and the third most common cancer overall. It is estimated that approximately 3,300 women will be diagnosed each year (as well as 25 men), and 90- 95 per cent of them have no history of breast cancer in the family. A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age, as between 70-75 per cent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women 50 years and older. Every year, more than 600 Kiwi women die from breast cancer – however, over 80 per cent of people with breast cancer are now surviving 10 years or more past diagnosis, and the survival rate goes up to over 90 per cent if the cancer is detected early on a screening mammogram.