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# Face of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/face-of-the-day-1373/
- Published: 2026-01-01T17:30:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-01T17:30:20.000Z
- Description: Despite Keytruda being recommended by Medsafe for both early and advanced stage of TNBC over two years ago, it has only been funded for advanced patients – not for patients like Cook with early-stage TNBC.
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: Face of the Day

> An Auckland woman who is self-funding treatment for her rare, aggressive breast cancer is fed up after years of asking the government to fund a “life-saving” medicine for more patients.  
>  
> Catherine Cook, 54, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in November 2024 after her yearly mammogram.  
>  
> Cook sold her business to pay for Keytruda (also known as pembrolizumab), the only targeted treatment to fight TNBC, given to patients alongside chemotherapy.  
>  
> Around 10 to 15 per cent of breast cancer diagnoses are triple negative, and it is the most challenging type of breast cancer to treat – particularly at the advanced stages, according to Breast Cancer NZ.  
>  
> But [despite Keytruda being recommended by Medsafe](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527522/is-the-health-system-set-up-to-deliver-the-new-cancer-drugs?ref=goodoil.news) for both early and advanced stage of TNBC over two years ago, it had only been funded for advanced patients – not for patients like Cook with early-stage TNBC.  
>  
> All up, Cook said she expected to pay about $100,000 for Keytruda, with one cycle every three weeks costing her $3000.  
>  
> RNZ

[Read More](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/583019/i-want-to-sit-down-with-her-cancer-patient-demands-meeting-with-nicola-willis?ref=goodoil.news)