Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Embracing Strength and Awareness: Breast Cancer Awareness Month in New Zealand

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, promoting early detection, and supporting those affected by this disease. In New Zealand, this month is marked by various events and initiatives aimed at spreading knowledge and supporting breast cancer patients. It’s also an opportunity to highlight breast reconstruction options, such as MENTOR® Breast Implants, which play a role in the journey of many breast cancer survivors.

At InterMed, we proudly sponsor the annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness evening hosted by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, where we shined a light on the Mentor Breast Implant range from Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The evening was dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, gaining information, and discussing reconstruction options. To ensure every woman’s path is honoured and supported on their unique journey after breast cancer surgery.

Understanding Breast Cancer Awareness Month in New Zealand

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign that takes place every October. It aims to educate the public about breast cancer, encourage regular screenings and support research efforts as breast cancer affects one in nine New Zealand women over their lifetime.1 This month, we focus on spreading knowledge, supporting those undergoing treatment, and celebrating survivors.

MENTOR_Alexandria

The Role of Breast Reconstruction

For many women, breast reconstruction is a significant step in their recovery journey after a mastectomy. It can help restore a sense of normalcy and confidence. At MENTOR®, a woman’s breast implant choice is personal, important and life changing. It’s a choice that can empower her to own each day. To own every day. On her terms.

Visit MENTOR® Breast Implant Solutions In New Zealand | J&J MedTech (jnjmedtech.com) to find out more.

Why Choose Mentor Breast Implants?

  1. Quality As one of the world’s leading makers of high-quality breast implants for over 35 years, their experience results in quality products that you can rely on,2 with over 9 million women opting for MENTOR® Breast Implants.3
  2. Safety Mentor has over 50 years of maintaining a commitment towards high quality breast implants and science based innovation.4 MENTOR™ Breast Implants are backed by substantial clinical data demonstrating safety and effectiveness in primary and revision augmentation and reconstruction patients.5
  3. Variety of Options: Mentor offers both silicone and saline implants*, available in various sizes, profiles, and textures. This variety allows for a personalised approach to meet each woman’s unique needs and preferences.                                                                                                                                                       *To view the 2024 Mentor Breast Implant Catalogue please contact InterMed
  4. Natural Feel: MENTOR® MemoryGel® Breast Implants are filled with Mentor’s proprietary cohesive gel, which holds together uniformly while resembling the natural give of breast tissue^6

MENTOR_Jennie

Empowering Choices

Choosing the right breast implant is a deeply personal decision that should be made in consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, who can guide you through the process. Together, you’ll discuss various factors, including your lifestyle and aesthetic goals.

Taking Action This October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than just wearing pink ribbons. Here are some ways you can get involved in New Zealand:

  • Get Screened: Schedule your mammogram and encourage others to do the same. Early detection can save lives. In New Zealand, women aged 45 to 69 are eligible for free mammograms every two years through BreastScreen Aotearoa7
  • Support Research: Donate to organisations like the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand, which funds research and provides support services.
  • Share Your Story: If you or a loved one has been affected by breast cancer, sharing your story can give hope and encouragement to others.
  • Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and share this knowledge with your community.

Conclusion

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to reflect, support, and take action. Whether through early detection, supporting research, or considering reconstruction options, every effort counts. Let’s come together this October to make a difference and support those affected by breast cancer in New Zealand.

To learn more visit Breast Cancer Foundation NZ or for information about Mentor Breast Implants in New Zealand, contact our product specialists on 0800 333 444 or email mentor@intermed.co.nz

Join us in spreading awareness and supporting breast cancer survivors.

References

  1. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, 2024. Breast Cancer in New Zealand. Accessed 5SEP24. (https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/breast-awareness/breast-cancer-facts/breast-cancer-in-nz)
  2. Data on file (US_MNT_BRST_105056) Bondurant, S., Ernster, V., and Herdman, R. Safety of Silicone Implants. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 1999. Mentor Worldwide LLC. Mentor Worldwide Sales Data
  3. Data on file (US_MNT_BRST_103151.1)
  4. Data on file (EM_MNT_BRST_107929) Mentor Worldwide LLC. GBI Data through Q1 2020 for Implants, Expanders and Sizers.
  5. Data on file (EM_MNT_BRST_104399.1) Mentor CPG Styles Study: A Study of the Safety of the Contour Profile Gel Breast Implants in Subjects who are Undergoing Primary Breast Augmentation, Primary Breast Reconstruction, or Revision (Protocol 110390SS-0313-3) Final Clinical Study Report. 29/10/2015. Mentor Update for MemoryGel™ Large Post Approval Study RE-OP PHASE 18-Month Report.12/07/2016. Mentor Summary of Safety and effectiveness of Mentor’s MemoryGel Silicone Gel-filled implants in patient who are undergoing primary breast augmentation, Primary breast reconstruction, or Revision 10-Year core Gel Clinical study final report.April 2013. Mentor Summary of Safety and effectiveness of Mentor’s MemoryGel Silicone Gel-filled implants in patient who are undergoing primary breast augmentation, Primary breast reconstruction, or Revision Memoryshape Post-Approval cohort study (formerly contour profile Gel Core Study) Final Clinical Study Report. June 2015. Mentor Adjunct Study Final Report for Mentor’s MemoryGel Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants Year 19 and First 6 Months of Year 20 (September 1992 – May 2012).02 November 2012.
  6. Data on file (US_MNT_BRST_104032) Bondurant S, Ernster V, Herdman, R. Safety of Silicone Implants. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 1999, page 58. Mentor Worldwide LLC. Mentor Worldwide Sales Data. MENTOR® Worldwide LLC. ROC400623. 2010.
  7. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, 2024. Mammograms. Accessed 5SEP24.  (https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/breast-awareness/mammograms)

**Low reported Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence for majority of complications at 10 years among the primary augmentation cohort.​

^As compared to saline-filled breast implants.​

Mentor is a business unit of Johnson & Johnson (New Zealand) Ltd.
507 Mt Wellington Hwy, Mt Wellington, Auckland 1060.
September 2024 | NZ_MNT_BRST_390044