Fantastic Line-up of Speakers

Breast Cancer Network NZ Inc Media Release 18 July 2007

For immediate release

Fantastic Line-up of Speakers For NZ's 1st Breast Cancer Conference for Women

Breast Cancer Network (NZ) have confirmed a fantastic line-up of speakers for New Zealand's first national conference for women with breast cancer to be held Rotorua in October this year.

BCN announced in April that the three day conference would open with internationally acclaimed breast surgeon, breast cancer researcher and women's health advocate, Dr Susan Love, as its keynote speaker.

A stellar "cast" of national and international speakers will also present at the conference, ensuring that the event will be one of stunning relevance and importance to New Zealander's affected by breast cancer.

International speakers, headed by Dr Susan Love who will speak both on Friday and Sunday, include Professor Ingrid Winship, Professor of Clinical Genetics at Melbourne University and who will speak about familial breast cancer, and Dr Maricel Maffini, Research Assistant Professor at Tufts University in Boston who will speak about environmental influences on breast cancer.

Among the national speakers are some of this country's top experts in breast cancer, ranging from Dr Madeleine Wall, Clinical Director of BreastScreen Aotearoa, who will provide an update of national screening, to Mr Ian Campbell, Clinical Director at Waikato Hospital, who will give a presentation on sentinel node biopsy and SNAC trial results, and Professor Vernon Harvey, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Auckland Hospital who will talk on clinical trials and access to drugs.

On the afternoon of the first day of the Conference (Friday) BCN are thrilled to announce Professor Bruce Baguley, Co-Director of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre will speak about New Zealand's contribution to worldwide to cancer research. Professor Baguley is the recipient of the 2006 Sir Charles Hercus Medal in molecular and cellular sciences and technologies, for his contribution to the development of new cancer therapies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cancer research.

On Saturday morning New Zealand cancer survivor, author and Life Coach, Phil Kerslake, will give a talk entitled 'How to laugh and dance your way to recovery'. The Good Morning Show presenter recently returned from a trip to Vienna, Austria, where he was awarded one of three international Rebuilding Lives awards for 2007. Phil, who has beaten six bouts of lymphoma over the last 28 years, won for his outstanding efforts in helping thousands of other cancer sufferers and survivors around New Zealand rebuild their lives following a cancer diagnosis, and is very well qualified to speak about psychosocial support for cancer patients.

Other confirmed speakers for sessions and workshops include: Dr Stephen Mills, one of New Zealand's top plastic surgeons; Dr Ruth Spearing who will speak about the setting up of a National Cancer Database; Dr Stella Milsom, an endocrinogist who will speak about menopause; and Dr Barbara Hochstein, a Consultant Radiologist and breast imaging specialist.

More information for prospective registrants is available on the BCN website www.breastcancernetwork.org.nz/ and from Breast Cancer Network (NZ) and the conference convenor:

ENDS

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