Wellington, April 2 NZPA - The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is embarking on an ambitious $1.25 million programme to improve the wellbeing of women with breast cancer.

The money is being channelled into community-based support programmes and special projects designed to help women deal with the physical and psychological effects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

"Research, awareness, early detection and treatment are all important, but women have been asking for services that help them to resume a normal life after treatment," said executive trustee Heather Shotter.

Plans include:

* The introduction of Pink Pilates -- a personalised health programme designed to help women regain physical strength, rebuild self esteem and improve body confidence.

* The expansion of the Auckland-based Sweet Louise programme nationally over the next three years. The programme supports women with secondary breast cancer through counselling, improving their physical wellbeing, and offering everyday home-help.

* Setting up a national Breast Cancer Patient Register, which brings together public and private health records of women with breast cancer, allowing researchers to identify better ways to improve delivery of care for breast cancer patients.

Ms Shotter said the foundation wanted to ensure these services reached as many women as possible.

"Regardless of where they live, New Zealand women should be able to access all the support they need to get through this difficult time.

"We all want the same thing -- to improve outcomes for New Zealand women with breast cancer."

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