The government announced cancer drug funding on Monday, which was met with support from the Breast Cancer foundation, who say the funding will significantly benefit those currently struggling with cancer.
The announcement was met with some criticism, as it was a campaign promise for the National party last year, but was absent in last month’s budget. This led to some uncertainty around how the funding would be provided if at all.
Wire host Castor spoke to chief executive of the Breast Cancer Foundation, Ah-Leen Rayner about the funding, how it will benefit patients, and potential improvements for the future.
On Friday the 13th September, Pharmac opened consultation for funding of the medication, Enhertu, for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
This comes following the $604 million funding boost allocated to Pharmac to fund and widen access to various medicines.
Trials have shown that the drug can reduce risks of breast cancer patients death by 27%.
Producer Josef spoke to the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer New Zealand, Ah-Leen Rayner, about the drug's funding, and what more can be done for breast cancer patients.
Pharmac has announced its decision to fund the drug, Enhertu, used for slowing the advancement of the HER2-positive form of breast cancer, beginning on the 1st of January, 2025. Alongside this funding, two eligibility restrictions will be removed.
HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer, where the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein is present, and encourages the growth of cancer cells.
Producer Athena spoke to Chief Executive at the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand, Ah-Leen Rayner, about how Enhertu compares to other breast cancer medicines, the removal of eligibility restrictions, and how the Breast Cancer Foundation pushed for this change.
Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand has recently expressed concerns about the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on breast cancer diagnoses.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner, who says that there are at least 133 women who don’t know they have breast cancer right now because lockdowns prevented them from getting the mammogram that would have diagnosed them.
Cancer Control Agency Te Aho o Te Kahu released a report today aimed at measuring the gap that patients have been looking to close for years. The report found there were 18 cancer related medicines with significant benefits that New Zealanders did not have access to.
Joe spoke to the Chief Executive of the Breast Cancer Foundation, Ah-Leen Rayner, on the matter.
Towns and cities across Aotearoa will be lighting up their landmarks and prominent buildings in pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Joe spoke to Ah-Leen Rayner, the Chief Executive of The Breast Foundation, about supporting breast cancer initiatives and spreading awareness of early detection.
Breast cancer affects thousands of Kiwis, particularly women, every year. This year, the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation raised funds to purchase a new campervan, which they painted pink and dubbed Pinkie.
This campervan travels to more remote regions of the country with two nurses on board, helping to screen those for cancer and raise awareness of the importance of early detection.
To find out more, Arno spoke to NZ Breast Cancer Foundation chief Ah-Leen Rayner. Arno started our interview by asking what the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation does.
Tuva'a plays some music and asks listeners for song requests in a competition format, and picks the one he likes the most. The Dazzler, bFMs very own super hero becomes one of the winners. All while a theme of 60s movies and TV shows is present in the background.
Tuva'a plays music and talks about stuff. The Dazzler makes a song request but loses, instead our new superhero Smashton comes in for the win. All the while songs of an acid trip are playing throughout the show. And Tuva'a plays his very own Remix of the Day.
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