Conference Report

26 - 28 October 2007 Rotorua

Moving Forward Together - Ahu Whakamua Tatou

We boldly claimed it would be, and it was. Informative and inspiring, fabulous and fun!

From the moment that international key-note speakers, Drs Susan Love and Maricel Maffini were welcomed to Rotorua on Thursday afternoon until the closing ceremony at the Distinction Hotel on Sunday afternoon, our First National Conference for those affected by breast cancer was just amazing.

Even at the airport, when the plane carrying Susan Love and Maricel Maffini touched down, there was a “buzz” that was to last throughout the three day event. The conference in its entirety was an emotional, exciting, enjoyable experience.

The conference theme, Moving Forward Together – Ahu Whakamua Tatou, epitomised the atmosphere that reverberated through the three days of plenary sessions and workshops. For both those who attended, and the Breast Cancer Network, a vital component of the conference was the opportunity to make a difference for women with breast cancer.

One of the main aims of the conference was to compile a set of recommendations that would allow this country to move forward on an individual, regional and national level; to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and to reduce mortality from the disease.

The preliminary recommendations*, which were announced immediately prior to the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon include:

That a national breast cancer database be prioritised and implemented as a critical tool for the prevention, management and control of breast cancer.
That there be better access to anti-cancer drugs for all those diagnosed with breast cancer and that there be greater consumer participation and consultation in the drug funding process.
That all breast cancer patients have timely access to world best practice treatment and ongoing care, and that delays and waiting lists for treatment such as radiotherapy and reconstruction be addressed as a matter of priority.
That inequities in the access to care, and participation in diagnostic and treatment services be addressed and improved among Māori and Pacifika women, and that issues facing Asian and Rural women also be addressed.
That environmental and lifestyle influences on the development of breast cancer be addressed and that information on these issues and what can be done to avoid exposures to carcinogenic substances be made available to New Zealanders through schools and the education system, public health nurses, maternity carers, Plunket and other health care providers.
That women receive greater and better information about all aspects of care and treatment, including the national breast screening programme, surgical and drug options.
That MRI imaging be funded and made available for high risk women.

In addition to these recommendations, several of the workshop groups decided upon specific items for action immediately after the conference:

An email contact group of women with secondary cancer has been established for those who attended the workshop Living With Hope in Your Heart.
A ‘chat room’ for all younger women with breast cancer is to be established. The Breast Cancer Network committee met in December with the CEO of Sweet Louise. This group has already begun the process of setting up an IT system for blogs and chat rooms, etc.
The women who attended the Cultural Aspects of Care for Pacific Island Women workshop held their inaugural fono (meeting) on the 1st of December 1st in Papatoetoe, Auckland and will meet again soon.

And, because of the huge interest in the workshop Environment, Lifestyle and Breast Cancer – How important are these links, and what can be done, there will be a meeting in Auckland on Tuesday March 18th 2008 with Drs Meriel Watts and Ursula Makowiec at which they will expand upon their workshop presentations with more time for discussion. Notice of this meeting will also be in the February issue of Upfront.

Please contact the Breast Cancer Network office for further information.
* A full list of the recommendations will be included in the Conference Proceedings and a specific Recommendations Leaflet will be posted out to conference delegates.