Anne Thorp, ambassador for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation said 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in New Zealand. She told a “Pink in Paris” fundraising luncheon, organized by the Tonga Breast Cancer Society on 22 October, that Maori and Pacific Islands women often don't present themselves early enough for treatment.

The luncheon was part of Pink October celebrations organized by the Society and held at the ‘Ita Seabreeze in Anana on 22 October, and attended by Hon. Frederica Filipe.

Anne Thorp, also also known as the 'Maori Queen of Cuisine' for her TV cooking shows in New Zealand, shared her story having gone through breast cancer treatment, and stressed that early detection is important.

“Breast cancer for our people is rife because we don’t present ourselves early enough for treatment.…And what happens is that 54% of Pacific Island women die from the disease. Now in New Zealand, 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Nine women everyday are diagnosed and 600 die every year, “ she said.

“Men are not excluded, there are 70 – 90 men every year that are diagnosed as well. That’s the whole thing about breast cancer. You have to go early, it’s all about early detection, it’s all about self-examination, and it’s about mammograms.”

“Early detection and mammograms are so important. I stress mammograms wherever I am. Wherever I talk in New Zealand or overseas.”

Anne added that to get through the treatment, diet and exercise play a huge part.

In Tonga, women can get a mammogram done at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa, made possible by the fundraising efforts of the society.

The society does not receive funding from the Tongan Government and the fundraising events they hold are important to be able to continue raising awareness of breast cancer and provide support to people who are going through treatment of the disease.

Everything "Parisian" was served at the luncheon including Eiffel Tower centerpieces, delicious French cuisine, pink drinks, French music, Moulin Rouge entertainers and lots of raffle prizes.

The next event for the society is the Annual Awareness Pink Walk on Saturday 29 October at 7:00am, starting from Tungi Colonnade.