Dr Jackie Blue MP
National Party
Women's Affairs and Associate Health Spokeswoman

6 March 2007

Front up on Herceptin, Helen

"Helen Clark once said she believed 'women in politics do have a particular responsibility to advocate for women' so today I'm asking her, why the deafening silence on Herceptin?"

National Party Women's Affairs and Associate Health spokeswoman Jackie Blue says that after eight years of Helen Clark, women with breast cancer have little to celebrate on International Women's Day.

"Why won't the Prime Minister intervene?"

Dr Blue, a former breast physician, says Labour is betting with the lives of Kiwi women.

"At first, the Government's drug-buying agency insisted that when it came to considering Herceptin it would look only at published scientific data. Yet now it is conveniently cherry picking unpublished data to back its case for a cheaper short course of the drug.

"This is the last straw for many women and their families who have helplessly been sidelined as Labour continues to wriggle over its commitment to Kiwi women."

Dr Blue says for the scores of women who have been shipped to Australia for radiotherapy, the 40 reports that Labour has commissioned on the state of our heath workforce is of little comfort.

"Labour has been negligent in getting 10-year-old breast cancer surgical guidelines updated. As a result, there are inconsistencies in surgical practice through out the country. There is a very real concern that women in some areas are having breasts removed unnecessarily.

"And, to add insult to injury, last year women on breast reconstruction waiting lists were unceremoniously dumped on the Health Minister's say-so."

Dr Blue says almost three years ago younger women were promised screening mammograms when the breast screening programme was extended to include women aged 45 to 49 years.

"But in reality it has been a Clayton's programme for them. They have not been actively encouraged to join, the uptake has been poor, and they have the lowest priority of all to be screened.

"No, it hasn't been a good year for those suffering from, and at risk of, breast cancer in New Zealand. There has been very little to celebrate. When will Helen Clark advocate for them?"

ENDS

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