A national pictureMehdi Shahbazpour, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ head of research and strategic programmes, said advanced breast cancer was when the disease spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body,Shahbazpour said more than 350 people are diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in New Zealand every year, and many live with the disease long term. New research released by the foundation shows median survival for people with advanced breast cancer has increased, and Māori outcomes are now on par with non-Māori. “When we look at how Kiwis are doing when they’re diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, we are starting to see some improvements, which is great,” Shahbazpour said. “We need to do better at diagnosing advanced breast cancer earlier than we currently are,” he said. “My grandchildren growing up, getting married.”Living with advanced breast cancer has changed her priorities.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 05, 2026 18:34 UTC