Lay summary
Breast and ovarian cancers are major health challenges in Aotearoa, and Māori and Pacific women face barriers to diagnosis and care. Current testing guidelines rely on overseas data that do not reflect our population, meaning many women miss out on genetic information that could guide prevention, treatment, and whānau planning. Our project will open new pathways for cancer testing by analysing inherited and tumour changes. We will also measure homologous recombination deficiency, a DNA-repair weakness that helps identify women who may benefit from advanced treatments. ‘Ara Hou, Ala Fou’ means creating new pathways — a commitment to equity and improved cancer care in Aotearoa. Working with Māori and Pacific leaders, clinicians, laboratory experts, and researchers, this will be the largest study of its kind in Aotearoa. Our findings will support national guidelines, reduce inequities, and enable fairer access to precision cancer care for women, their whānau, and future generations.