National is pledging $20 million to protect women from gynaecological cancer through greater awareness, improved
clinical guidelines, increased testing and greater access to clinical trials, National Party Leader Judith Collins and
National’s spokesperson for Rural Communities and Women Barbara Kuriger say.
Every year in New Zealand more than 1000 women are diagnosed with, and over 475 die, from gynaecological cancer.
This investment is alongside National’s commitment to fund an independent Cancer Agency and set up a $200 million fund
dedicated to cancer drugs.
“As an ambassador for the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation this has special significance to me. Too many
women are going untested and undiagnosed at the moment,” Ms Collins says.
“The sad reality is that most New Zealand families will be affected by cancer. Cancer doesn’t discriminate when it
chooses its victims and people shouldn’t have reduced access to treatment just because they live in the country.
“The signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancer are difficult to determine so we will be promoting even greater
awareness so women can get themselves diagnosed as soon as possible. National will provide a funding boost to awareness
campaigns to ensure this happens.
“We will work with health professionals to maintain up-to-date clinical guidelines that give them the resources to
identify gynaecological cancer earlier and make the best decisions around diagnosis and referring women for testing.”
“This is just the first announcement in our strong plan to provide better health outcomes for rural communities,” Ms
Kuriger says.
“Farming is a stressful and sometimes isolating profession. It can be all too easy to neglect your personal health needs
when you’re running a farm, so we want to make care easy and accessible.
“The increased awareness and improved clinical guidelines will lead to more women being tested, and we will provide
increased funding to ensure every woman in New Zealand who needs a test is given one.
“National is focused on providing better outcomes closer to home for Kiwi families and communities. This funding will
save lives and ensure New Zealand women are getting the care they deserve.”