Debbie Short is a 13-year survivor of breast cancer, husband Tim is her ‘rock' and this week they threw unequivocal support and best wishes behind a campaign to raise the upper age threshold for free mammograms.

Ohauiti residents Tim and Debbie Short are supporting a new campaign to raise the upper age threshold for free mammograms. Photo by Merle Foster.

It started with a push by the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation to raise the limit from 70 to 75, New Zealand First chimed in with some political clout. Then this week Ohauiti couple Debbie and Tim Short also pitched in.

'New Zealand undervalues its women,” says Tim. 'That's how it's been through the decades. And it's only through strong lobbying that changes are made.”

There are more than 660,000 New Zealand women in the existing screening age group – the proposed five-year adjustment would draw in another 78,000 women.

'A women's risk of breast cancer is higher in her 70s than her 50s. But 90 per cent of women don't know that,” says Adele Gautier of the Breast Cancer Foundation.

'They presume their risk is reducing because they are no longer getting free mammograms.”

Tim and Debbie have already battled with the Government on behalf of NZ women – and won. They campaigned for 18 months to have eligibility for the breast screening programme extended from 50-64 years to 40-70.

With the catch cry 'detection is your best protection” they gathered 125,000 signatories for their petition and the Government capitulated – eligibility for free mammograms is now 45-69. But it doesn't end there.

The Shorts are backing the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation and New Zealand First's new campaign.

'It's exciting and positive – and sometimes a family which has been through it has greater powers to advocate for change,” says Tim.

They are drawing inspiration from Australia where the statistics are enviable.

Another $60 million committed to increase screening from 70 to 74. Another 70,000 women invited for a mammogram. Early detection and treatment of 600 extra breast cancer cases a year.

In fact, Australia effectively has free breast screening from 40-80. Because at either end of the spectrum women can have ‘self-requested mammograms' and the Government pays for them.

And studies from Australia show screening women in their 70s results in fewer, hard-to-treat cancers being found and increases survival rates.

It annoys Tim. 'Australia is light years ahead in all areas of health. We are the poor relatives.”

An Otago University study backs him – it shows the statistic of Kiwi women surviving breast cancer was 28 times worse than in Australia.

'There have been big changes, even if the country can't afford it. The state doesn't pay for mammograms from age 40, but it recommends that if you if you have the resources, have the mammogram.”

Now he wants the Government to come out and say it is beneficial for women to have mammograms up to their 80^th birthday.

Tim also believes there are a lot of people who think if it isn't state-funded, if it's not provided by the state, then it's not necessary.

'They fervently believe the government has their best interests at heart which isn't the case. It's all about funding.”

So if it isn't funded, then Tim and Debbie want a Government message encouraging women to ‘self-initiate' mammograms.

Debbie's breast cancer was quite invasive – eight tumours spread to her lymph nodes and chest wall. But with radiotherapy and chemotherapy she survived. Today she's well and the Short family is eternally grateful

'However, we know a lot of women who had lesser cancers and who aren't with us today.

'Unfortunately it's going to be the statistics, the loss of lives that provides the push – that's the sad reality.”

If you support the age threshold for free mammograms being raised to 74 you can download and sign the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation petition at www.nzbcf.org.nz/petition