# Breast cancer advocate and businessman unimpressed by NZ leaders > Breast cancer survivor and businessman criticize Labour and National leaders after debate. - Title: Breast cancer advocate and businessman unimpressed by NZ… - Summary: Breast cancer survivor and businessman criticize Labour and National leaders after debate. Breast cancer advocate Lisa Eagle and businessman Chris Barrett… - Keywords: lisa eagle, chris barrett, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, nz herald leaders debate, breast cancer, dense breast tissue, mammogram, mastectomy, economy, small businesses, job creation - Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-herald-leaders-debate-breast-cancer-advocate-businessman-unimpressed-by-hipkins-and-luxon/7IUXDSBT7VDZVILXVMBRTTLYJU - Read time: 2 min - Topics: lisa eagle, chris barrett, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, nz herald leaders debate, breast cancer, dense breast tissue, mammogram, mastectomy, economy, small businesses, job creation ## 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. ## Key takeaway Breast cancer advocate Lisa Eagle and businessman Chris Barrett found NZ leaders unprepared for health and economic issues during debate.