Petition request

That the House of Representatives urge the Government to: incorporate breast density measurement into BreastScreen Aotearoa’s screening programme; make reporting on breast density mandatory; provide women who have dense breast tissue with supplemental screening, such as contrast-enhanced mammography, every 2 years.

Petition reason

Up to 10% of women have grade 4 breast density (at least 75% of their breasts is fibroglandular tissue rather than fatty tissue). These women have a 2–5-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. Their cancers can be missed because dense breast tissue and cancer both appear as white on mammograms - the tissue masks the cancer. I think if reporting of density was mandatory & alternative imaging offered, cancer could be detected in dense breasts earlier, improving outcomes & survival rates.

Signatures are now being accepted
54 days left
Closing date: 20 Dec 2026 11:59 PM NZST
592 signed
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Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 592
Closing date: 20 Dec 2026