A new report shows the health system has turned its back on women with advanced breast cancer.

Kiwis with the disease are dying twice as fast as people in comparable countries, and it’s not just because of a lack of new drugs.

Breast Cancer Foundation spokeswoman Adele Gautier says the average survival for a Kiwi patient with advanced breast cancer is just 16 months, compared with two to three years or more in countries like Australia, Germany and France.

She says they are shocked at the results of this research which came to light for the first time through data collected by the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register.

"In fact, the whole system seems a little bit against these poor patients because they tend to be at the back of the queue when it comes to diagnostics and access to chemotherapy."

Gautier is calling for changes to the whole system.

"We need to introduce guidelines for treatment around breast cancer, to make sure the equities are the same around the country and everyone is getting the best possible care. We need to set targets to ensure people aren't missing out on treatment."