Position statements

Current

• Cancer prevention
• Cancer Screening

Breast Awareness

The National Screening Unit (NSU), the Cancer Society of New Zealand and The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation recommend all women to be ‘breast aware’. This joint consensus statement provides guidance for women on what breast changes to look for as part of general body awareness.

Current

• Cancer Screening

Thermography and Breast Cancer

The National Screening Unit (NSU), the Cancer Society of New Zealand, The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation and The New Zealand Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) do not support the use of thermography for breast cancer screening or a diagnostic tool.

Current

• Cancer prevention

Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks are no longer a looming public health crisis but a very real one. By working together and acting now, we can prevent obesity, a leading risk factor for some cancers.

Current

• Cancer Treatment

Breakthrough therapies and the New Zealand Early Access to Medicines Scheme

It is highly unusual for the Cancer Society to get involved in any national debate around the funding of particular cancer drugs. However, in the case of the new immunotherapies for melanoma, we have made an exception for reasons of equity, evidence and deep concerns about decision processes.

Current

Folate and Reducing Cancer Risk

Based on current evidence, the benefits of folic acid fortification for reducing the incidence of neural tube defects outweigh any potential increased risk of cancer. Therefore the Cancer Society of New Zealand and Cancer Council Australia are not opposed to fortification of foods with folic acid.