Latest research
How Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register is helping push new frontiers in research
Rethinking Advanced Breast Cancer
Evidence, experiences and opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand
Rethinking ABC is an exploration of the mindset shift needed for advanced breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What does it take – and what does it mean – for New Zealanders to live, and live well with, advanced breast cancer (ABC)? This is the question at the heart of Rethinking Advanced Breast Cancer: Evidence, experience and opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand, our new report examining how care, policy and practice must evolve to better support people living with ABC.
Building on our 2018 report, “I’m still here”: Insights into living – and dying – with advanced breast cancer in New Zealand, this latest research shows that while important progress has been made, it’s not reaching everyone. Serious gaps remain across the health system, leaving too many people at risk of delayed diagnosis, shortened survival, fewer treatment options and poorer quality of life.
Medical advances are increasingly improving ABC survival rates, but the health system needs to keep up. We’re inviting a shift in perspective to recognise ABC as a chronic condition that requires long-term, proactive and equitable care.
Published on World Cancer Day 2026, Rethinking ABC brings together data, clinical insight and women’s experiences to form a crucial piece of evidence for decision-makers, clinicians and others shaping the future of advanced breast cancer care in New Zealand.
Evaluating advanced breast cancer treatment and survival
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ commissioned a report, “I’m still here”: Insights into living - and dying - with Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) in New Zealand, which was released in September 2018. This report includes statistical analysis of Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register data about ABC treatment and survival.
Key findings
- Median survival after diagnosis of metastatic / advanced breast cancer (ABC) in New Zealand is 16 months, considerably worse than overseas
- One and five-year survival rates are also worse in New Zealand than overseas, with the gap widening in recent years
- The Māori five-year survival rate is significantly worse than non-Māori
These research findings support advocacy by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to help address these inequities.
Read the Executive Summary here.
Auckland Advanced Breast Cancer Review
The Auckland Advanced Breast Cancer Review (AABC) is a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with advanced/metastatic breast cancer in the Auckland region within a three year period. The study assessed survival outcomes, care equity and also identified gaps in healthcare delivery for patients.
Improving future surgical practice
A recent research study has found that increasing margins for tumor clearance from international guidelines of 1mm to 2mm will improve breast cancer patient outcomes in New Zealand.
Identifying inequities in patient care
A Waikato study is investigating how breast cancer is diagnosed and treated in different regions, and patients' survival in these regions. The goal is to learn where areas of need are, so that New Zealand can improve equity in breast cancer care.
Promoting screening for Pasifika women
Professor Ross Lawrenson's research on Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register is helping promote screening for Pasifika women, and improve their outcomes for breast cancer.
Pacific Breakfast Radio recently interviewed Ross on his research, which you can listen to below. You can see Ross' research using data from Te Rēhita, the National Register, here.