Facebook has pulled down a page featuring a screen shot of women's breasts used in a highly successful cancer awareness campaign.
Newstalk ZB Christchurch host Chris Lynch said he was staggered to receive notice from Facebook yesterday that the image he had posted had breached rules.
The post had been deleted and his Facebook page suspended.
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Lynch said the screen shot, taken from the latest New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation campaign, had appeared on television and in newspapers.
App users: Tap here to watch the Breast Cancer Foundation ad
The commercial features well-known actress Geraldine Brophy holding photos of women's breasts with warning signs of cancer.
Lynch said it was a ridiculous decision given breast cancer was the most common form of cancer affecting New Zealand women.
The post had prompted an overwhelming response from cancer survivors who applauded the campaign before it was removed.
He said there was far more offensive material on Facebook that administrators allowed online including beheadings and sexual activity.
The Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive officer Van Henderson yesterday if people wanted to support the campaign they could post a link to the foundation's campaign website and access the commercial on YouTube.
She said Facebook was well within its rights to do what they wanted to do.
Facebook was for everybody and the foundation believed their YouTube channel was a more appropriate platform.
She around 30,000 people had viewed the advertisement online with many posting extremely supportive responses.
The foundation had consulted with the Commercial Approvals Bureau before requesting the advertisement be screened after 8.30pm on television.
The campaign was presenting a clear medical and educative message, said Henderson.
"We want to help stop women dying," she said.
Henderson said for some women it had proved to be life-saving after they viewed the advertisement and realised they needed to see a doctor.
Last week the Advertising Standards Authority dismissed two complaints against the Breast Cancer Foundation commercial.