From NZ Herald · · 2m
Breast cancer advocate and businessman unimpressed by NZ leaders
Breast cancer survivor and businessman criticize Labour and National leaders after debate.
In brief
Breast cancer survivor and businessman criticize Labour and National leaders after debate. Breast cancer advocate Lisa Eagle and businessman Chris Barrett found NZ leaders unprepared for health and economic issues during debate. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Breast cancer advocate Lisa Eagle
Lisa Eagle, a breast cancer survivor, had her cancer missed during a mammogram due to dense breast tissue.
“To know that I had a lump and to come back as clear and go, 'Oh, I’m fine', and then … find out down the track … that I’ve got cancer [and] I have to have a mastectomy, it’s scary stuff.”
Businessman Chris Barrett
Chris Barrett, Steel Worx Group director, criticized both leaders for economic mismanagement and lack of focus on growth.
“One wrecked the economy, the other failed to fix it.”
Debate on dense breast tissue
Both leaders admitted ignorance about funding 3D scans for women with dense breast tissue.
“On the surface of it, I don’t know the medical details of that issue.”
Chris Hipkins' response
Hipkins acknowledged he wasn’t aware of the issue but wanted health system tools for world-class care.
“I’m not going to purport to be a medical expert.”
Christopher Luxon's response
Luxon said he would look into the issue but admitted limited knowledge about dense breast tissue.
“I don’t know much about it but would look into it.”
Barrett's criticism of Labour
Barrett claimed Labour was more sympathetic to issues than the extreme left but not focused on economic growth.
“They both sat somewhere in the middle.”
Barrett's view on leadership
Barrett said leaders were disingenuous and the country felt like it wanted to vote for minor parties over major ones.
“After all these years, it’s like we’re only wanted on the day that we vote.”
Debate focus on economy
Barrett felt the debate didn’t focus enough on growing the economy, creating jobs, and supporting small businesses.
“The debate did not focus enough on growing the economy.”
Barrett's economic assessment
Barrett believed National-led coalition needed another go but was surprised Labour was more sympathetic to issues.
“I’m not swayed at all.”
Debate aftermath
Eagle described the debate as educational despite not getting answers on dense breast tissue.
“It’s scary stuff.”
Hipkins' economic stance
Hipkins said he disagreed with Barrett’s assessment of economic mismanagement but would work on solutions.
“I disagree.”
Luxon's economic quip
Luxon quipped that rebuilding after economic damage takes time.
“It’s really easy to burn a house down, takes time to rebuild it.”
Eagle's cancer experience
Eagle’s cancer was picked up nine months after a mammogram, leading to a mastectomy.
“It was picked up nine months later, leading to a mastectomy.”
Dense breast tissue issue
Dense breast tissue makes tumours difficult to distinguish from healthy tissue on standard X-rays.
“Eagle’s cancer was missed during a mammogram because she has dense breast tissue.”
Debate moderator
Ryan Bridge moderated the debate between Hipkins and Luxon.
“Bridge asked both leaders whether their parties would fund 3D scans for women with dense breast tissue.”
The main idea
Breast cancer advocate Lisa Eagle and businessman Chris Barrett found NZ leaders unprepared for health and economic issues during debate.
