Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women, with over 3,500 diagnoses annually. It is also the second most common cause of cancer death in women. Māori and Pacific women have worse outcomes despite lower incidence rates. This guide covers the key funding sources for breast cancer services and research in New Zealand.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is the primary breast cancer charity:
- Research grants: Breast cancer science and clinical research
- Pink Ribbon Appeal: Annual fundraising for research and awareness
- Patient support: Information, peer support, and navigation
- Awareness campaigns: Breast cancer awareness and early detection
- Advocacy: Policy funding for breast cancer services
Cancer Society NZ funds breast cancer:
- Support services: Regional support for breast cancer patients
- Information: Resources for diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship
- Research contribution: Cancer research including breast cancer
BreastScreen NZ:
- National mammography screening programme (45–69 years)
- Every two years for eligible women
- Free breast screening
Health system breast cancer treatment:
- Breast surgery: Lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction
- Radiation oncology: Post-operative radiotherapy
- Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2 therapy, immunotherapy
- Genetic testing: BRCA1/BRCA2 testing for high-risk families
HRC funds breast cancer research:
- Clinical research and trials
- Translational research
- Epidemiology and prevention
Gaming trusts fund breast cancer community programmes:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community health including cancer support
- Grassroots Trust: Community health
- Pub Charity: Community health events
- Lion Foundation: Community health
Gaming trust breast cancer applications:
- Support group meetings and events
- Patient transport to treatment
- Wigs and prostheses for women in treatment
- Community awareness events (Pink Ribbon)
Equity in breast cancer:
- Māori women: Lower incidence but higher mortality — access and treatment barriers
- Pacific women: Screening access barriers
- Te Puni Kōkiri: Māori cancer health equity
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples: Pacific women's cancer health
Breast cancer survivorship:
- Cancer Society: Survivorship programmes
- Breast Cancer Foundation: Peer support and information
- Lymphoedema services: DHB-funded lymphoedema management
- Psychology: Adjustment to cancer diagnosis and treatment
Breast cancer research priorities:
- Precision medicine: Genomic approaches to treatment personalisation
- HER2-positive breast cancer: New therapies for aggressive subtypes
- Triple-negative breast cancer: Treatment options for hard-to-treat subtype
- Screening effectiveness: Optimal mammography screening intervals
- Māori and Pacific outcomes: Reducing mortality disparities
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Women reached: Screening rates, support group participation
- Equity: Māori and Pacific women's specific outreach
- Treatment navigation: Patients supported through treatment decisions
- Research quality: Scientific methodology and clinical impact
- Survivorship: Support beyond active treatment
- Awareness: Community engagement in early detection
- Carer support: Partners and family wellbeing
Tahua's grants management platform helps breast cancer organisations manage grant applications across Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, Cancer Society NZ, gaming trusts, and health foundations, tracking screening, support, and research outcomes.