Media Release
17 November 2003

Breast Screening Petition At Parliament

A petition calling on the Government to extend the breast cancer screening programme will be presented to New Zealand First Deputy Leader, Peter Brown, at 12.30pm Tuesday, 18 November at the front of Parliament Buildings.

The petition, organized by Debbie and Tim Short, of the Breast Cancer Action Trust, calls upon the Government of New Zealand to extend the screening programme from the 50-64 age bracket to women aged between 40 and 70.

The petition contains more than 125,000 signatures.

Mr Brown said that one New Zealand woman is dying every two days as a result of breast cancer.

“The Ministry of Health’s own figures show that the peak rate of diagnosis is 45-50 years of age. Fifty percent more women die from breast cancer than total road deaths!

“Australia has free mammography from 40 years and New Zealand has a 28 percent higher death rate than Australia. Earlier detection will save lives.

“I am fully supportive of the efforts of the Breast Cancer Action Trust,” Mr Brown said today.

ENDS

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