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Kiwi stars launch breast cancer campaign

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Kiwi stars launch breast cancer campaign

3News NZ

New Zealand actor Sam Neill

New Zealand actor Sam Neill

Actor Sam Neill, former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry and musician Hollie Smith are among Kiwi stars who appear on a new Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) campaign launched this week.

The “Our Woman” video clip, which shows well-known faces alongside or with images of women they love, aims to encourage young women to get familiar with their breasts and for older woman to get checked.

CEO Evangelia Henderson says the foundation hopes the video will reach every woman in New Zealand with the message of reducing the risk of dying of breast cancer.

The clip, which features on the foundation's website, was launched on Monday night to coincide with the start of Breast Cancer Action Month.

It is fronted by former TV presenter Helena McAlpine who has terminal cancer.

"Before I die, I want to get a message to every woman in the country that they need to look after themselves and their friends and family," she says.

A version of Chris Knox's Not Given Lightly - which features a string of Kiwi artists including Tim Finn, Brooke Fraser and Peter Urlich - features in the clip which is available on iTunes.

Each year 2800 women in New Zealand are diagnosed with breast cancer. Of these about 70 percent are aged over 50 and the rest are aged 20 to 44.

New NZBCF research shows younger women underestimate the risks of breast cancer and most don't know that changes in the skin of the breast or nipple can be symptoms of the illness.

Advice from NZBCF:

Under 40: Do regular self checks. If you notice changes see your doctor. Changes can include a lump, swelling, change in shape, an inverted nipple or discharge, other changes in the skin and nipple.

Over 40: Have regular mammograms from the age of 40 (these are Government funded for ages 45 to 69).

NZN

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Comments

6/10/2012 11:47:02 a.m.

Nigel wrote:

Great video - watch it at www.ourwomen.co.nz

5/10/2012 8:42:20 p.m.

R.T wrote:

My girls an I loved that song, pass it on. We lost our Mum,there Nan an Aunty from Breast Cancer and Terminal Illnes, just want to say, your message has touched our hearts an would do the honor's to pass it on, I have 3 lovely girls and the message that touched me the most was to get myself checked. For me it's gonna be scary, knowing how much days, months, or years you have left, the worst part is telling your family. My mum checked herself after her sister passed away wit breast cancer, what was devastating for all of us, is that both my mum an aunty kept it a secret an did not want us to fuss or worry. When my mum went to hospital feeling sick, they rushed her into theater an found a tumor had burs ted inside her, they gave her 3days to live, we brought her home and she stayed with us for 2weeks, singing, praying, with all her moko's I would love to have the lyric's to pass it on, where do I find it. Thankyou, Arohanui GOD BLESS EVERY WAIHINE.

2/10/2012 9:14:43 p.m.

Why X-ray wrote:

Dr. John Gofman, a Nobel Prize-winner, believed that up to half of all cancer was caused by unnecessary radiation primarily related to diagnostic X-rays.

2/10/2012 2:48:19 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Men can get it too so this sort of 'advertising' doesnt need to be so gender specific.
Just how many of these health messages do we need, =24 hours. We are swamped with these advertisments.