Associate Minister of Health, Hon Tariana Turia, says that the number of women taking part in the government’s free breast cancer screening programme has increased by more than 40,000 in the last two years. The number of women participant has increased in all parts of New Zealand.

She further added that the increasing number of women is great news for the health authorities not only because more lives could be saved but more women are prioritizing their health. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women and early detection is the best protection.

A large number of women sign up for these free breast cancer screening programmes because; awareness of the benefits of screening has also risen among women. The figures reveal that the number of women participants from Maori and Pasifika has shown a significant increase. Additional 5486 Maori women and 2898 Pasifika women were being diagnosed this year.

Maori and Pasifika women were less likely to undergo breast cancer screening and were at a high risk of dying of breast cancer because of lack of awareness about such programs. With the increase in awareness, the number of women participants has also increases.