In New Zealand, more than 3,500 women across the country are diagnosed with breast cancer every year – that’s 9 women a day. One Māori woman a day will be diagnosed and 25 men are diagnosed each year too. Unfortunately more than 650 women a year will die from the disease.
In Australia, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with approximately 58 Australians diagnosed each and every day with 9 a day tragically dying from the disease. That equates to over 21,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
In the last 10 years, breast cancer diagnosis in Australia has increased by 24%.
These figures can be overwhelming, but serve as a reminder on the steps to take to be aware of the signs, helping to potentially improve the outcome should you be diagnosed, as well as sharing education and resources to others.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and along with supporting businesses and organisations, the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) and the National Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia (NBCF) have a number of initiatives to improve knowledge and to raise crucial funds that go into supporting people with breast cancer, and funding life-saving new research.
“This October, we’re calling on New Zealanders to back our vision of stopping deaths from breast cancer,” says Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ).
“While most people diagnosed with breast cancer survive and go on to live long, fulfilling lives, we still lose 650 Kiwis every year to the disease – our mission is to change that.
“With your support, we know we can make a bigger difference. Please take a moment to take care of your breast health or remind the women you love to do so, and get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in any way you can.”
Beyond learning the signs and keeping up with your checks if relevant, financial support is key for the organisations to continue their crucial work.
Every October, brands get on board with Breast Cancer Awareness Month by releasing special-edition pink products (below), that contribute to the fundraising cause with proceeds going towards vital research, education, and support for Kiwi families affected by breast cancer.
How to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month
Check your breasts once a month
Learn the signs of breast cancer, and get to know your breasts – the way they feel, and the way they look.
Breast cancer is most treatable when it’s found early and knowing your normal and recognising any changes, is said to be key.
According to BCFNZ, women should be breast aware from age 20, which means you need to know the normal look and feel of your breasts, so you can tell your doctor if there are any changes.
The best time to do a self-check is the week after your period, and you should continue doing it each month around the same time.
Here’s how to refresh your knowledge on how to self-check.
Book a mammogram
If you’re over 45, book in for a free mammogram through BreastScreen Aotearoa or BreastScreen Australia or by asking your GP how to book.
Taking half an hour to have one mammogram every two years could save your life.
BCFNZ recommends considering annual mammograms from 40-49, then every two years from 50. In New Zealand free mammograms through BreastScreen Aotearoa are available when you’re 45-69, or are 70 to 74 and qualify for the recently announced screening age extension.
Donate to the appeal
You can easily donate online to the NZ appeal.
According to BCFNZ the donations will help fund breast cancer education, innovative projects by some of the country’s top researchers, as well as support patients and their families.
In Australia visit NBCF to donate online.
Purchase pink ribbon products
One of the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s goals is to achieve zero deaths from the disease. It’s a big goal, but one the foundation has remained dedicated to. When you use your purchasing power to select one of the officially affiliated products your money goes to helping the foundation continue to work towards that goal.
The number of pink ribbon products that contribute to the campaign annually has grown over the last few years and you can now select products from the supermarket, beauty counters and even home décor and furnishings retailers.
Some of the products available in New Zealand this October are below. Some of these products are also available in Australia benefiting NBCF, but for the extensive full range of pink ribbon products available in Australia, click here.
Estée Lauder Companies has had a long affiliation with work to find a cure for breast cancer, since Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the Pink Ribbon and started The Breast Cancer Campaign in 1992, donating significant funds to research around prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
To date The Estée Lauder Companies has raised more than USD $131 million globally for lifesaving research, education, and medical services. This year, marking 32 years of commitment to the cause, it has a number of fundraising products available.
The famous Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex serum that helps deeply hydrate skin and reduce the signs of aging comes with floral pink packaging and the brand will donate 20% of the purchase price to BCFNZ.
The lightweight and deeply hydrating Clinique Dramtically Different Moisturising Lotion+ is usually recognisable in its famous yellow form, but for a limited time comes in hot pink, with a removable key chain. The brand will donate $10 of the purchase price to BCFNZ.
Jane Iredale’s beautiful, hydrating Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain is a suits-everyone balm that transforms into a custom shade based on your skin’s natural pH. $1 from each sale goes to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and for every Forever Pink Special Edition sold, the brand will also donate one Jane Iredale product to Look Good Feel Better NZ, supporting women on their cancer journey.
Revitalash Eyelash conditioner is well known for supporting the growth of eyelashes and brows. The product was initially developed by Dr Michael Brinkenhoff to help his wife Gayle re-grow her lashes following cancer treatment and the brand donates to the fight against breast cancer with every purchase, year-round. During October, with every purchase of a lash or brow serum, the company will donate a one-month supply to Look Good Feel Better New Zealand.
If you like a gentle radiant glow, Bobbi Brown’s highlighting powders are iconic. This year the Bobbi Brown Limited-Edition Powerful Pink Highlighting Powder is part of the fundraising efforts, with the brand donating 20% of the purchase price to BCFNZ.
ghd’s limited-edition pink collection reimagines its popular ghd Duet Style Hot Air Styler, Gold Styler, Glide Straightener Brush, Chronos Styler and Duet Blow Dry Hair Dryer Brush in a delicate pink sorbet shade for 2025. $20 from every pink limited-edition purchase goes to BCFNZ.
Jo Malone London’s famous Peony & Blush Suede Cologne is a best-seller for good reason. The stylish fragrance features the scent of peonies in voluptuous bloom, with the juicy bite of red apple and a soft base of blush suede. The purchase of this special edition featuring a painterly illustration and the famous pink ribbon will see a donation of $50 from the purchase price to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Available from Jo Malone London counters nationwide.
Supporting BCFNZ since 2016, the purchase of NZ’s Pink Lady apples contributes a significant amount annually as a diamond partner. Eta is also again on board to donate and this year has teamed up with fashion brand RUBY to created its patterned packaging. Buy a pack of the delicious limited edition Uppercuts Sweet Vinaigrette & Pink Shallots and Eta will give .20c from each bag purchased to BCFNZ. Or for a sweet treat, try Griffin’s Pink Peppermint Biscuits, also created with RUBY. If you’re hankering for an egg breakfast, seek out the pink pack of Bon Appétit Free Range Eggs, as .50 cents from every half-dozen pack goes to BCFNZ.
Thinking about investing in an e-bike? Bionic Bikes have released a very limited edition Cruiser in a soft pink colour to support Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. For each Velvet Pink Cruiser sold Bionic are donating $300 to BCFNZ.
Bred in NZ by Bob Matthews, the breathtaking Floribunda ‘Pink Ribbon’ rose is a stunning way to add the symbol of the fight to cure breast cancer to your garden. $2 from the sale of each plant will be donated to BCFNZ. Its available from Matthews Nurseries and selected garden centres nationwide.
Since 2008, Harrisons Curtains and Blinds and Carpet & Hard Flooring have donated over $951,988 to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, donating around $100,000 annually.
With every purchase of Harrisons Carpet & Hard Flooring Dunlop Pink Underlay, Harrisons Curtains & Blinds Urban Curtain Collection and Harrisons Solar AIKO Solar Panels or Tesla Powerwall, a donation will be made to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
- For more products and services that support the BCFNZ this month, check out BCFNZ’s Pink Ribbon Products page.
- The information in this article has been sourced from Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and the National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia. Please ask your doctor for your own guidance around checking your breasts and any changes you have noticed.
