Rita’s story: "An extra mammogram saved my life"
After eight years of dedicated advocacy, supported by generous donors like you, the Government has begun extending free mammograms nationwide to women up to age 74—a game-changing win for early detection that will save countless lives.
Last October, a pilot started in Nelson-Marlborough and Nelson woman Rita, 74, was one of the first to benefit. Her extra mammogram caught stage 1 breast cancer early. She shares her story to show the impact of age extension for women like her.
After turning 74 last April, I received an invitation for one more free mammogram. I consider myself lucky that I was at the right place at the right time, having moved to Nelson 11 years ago, because that mammogram detected stage 1 breast cancer.
It all seemed quite positive because they kept saying it was caught at an early stage and still very small. I had surgery and was relieved to learn the cancer hadn’t spread, so I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
"A nurse told me things could’ve turned out very differently for me if I’d not had that mammogram when I did. I had been naïve in thinking I was no longer at risk of breast cancer when screening stopped at 69. I know many other women think that too, but my story shows that certainly isn’t the case."
Thanks to the extension, more women like me will have the chance to receive an early diagnosis when breast cancer is most curable. And early detection means less invasive treatment, faster recovery, and the ability to move on with life.
That extra mammogram could be all the difference, so I’d encourage women to take that opportunity.
I'm a huge advocate for this change and am excited that it makes early detection available to more women nationwide. My story highlights how advocacy transforms lives by ensuring timely access to screening, and it’s thanks to support from amazing people like you who made this eight-year campaign a success.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ first began calling for the screening age extension in 2016, with a 10,000-strong petition delivered to Parliament supporting this move. Modelling by the Foundation shows that older women who continue with breast screening will have a 42% lower risk of dying from breast cancer. Extending screening to 74 brings NZ into line with Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, UK, and many other countries.
Around 350 women aged 70-74 are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year. A woman’s risk of breast cancer is higher at 70 than it is at 50, which is why Breast Cancer Foundation NZ campaigned so hard to get the age limit raised.
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Have you been touched by breast cancer and would like to share your story? We’d love to hear more about it.
