Friday Update

Hello and welcome to another Friday Update.

We have a bunch of new members. Please give a warm welcome to @Oonagh Treble, @Free Range Chick, @isabella, @Ngaire Carter, @Sheran, @Annie17, @Dandelion, @SYT, @Just Fer, @morph, @bevvzy, @Bellablor, @sandramj, @Jools, @Rubygirl, @Lucylou, @ROCK'N IT, @Josephine1957, @elle1948, @sallyevans, and all our new members.

Community highlights

Every week we have so much variety in the posts being shared on the online network.  These can include questions about treatments, updates on how things are going, and celebrating milestones. Here are some good conversations you might have missed:

• @au0rei asks, "Has anyone given up on chemo?"
• @KathSeward has finished treatment, is scared, and wants to know how to start living again.
• @Soldier Crab reminds that we all do this in different ways on this forum
• Need a pick me up? Check out Dumb jokes and the Creative Corner.
• Don't forget to check your groups.

News and events

Ribociclib (also known as Kisqali) is used to treat hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. It was recently approved for sale in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That's great for women in the US who are living with metastatic breast cancer, but we want it in Australia too! You can read more about this story here. Be sure to sign and share our petition to help get palbociclib in Australia and on the PBS.

A couple of weeks ago, about 200 delegates came to BCNA's National Summit 2017. Read all about it and see the photos here. 

BCNA has made a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the life insurance industry, in support of improving insurance coverage and protections for Australians affected by breast cancer. BCNA CEO @Christine_BCNA-CEO had this to say about it:
People diagnosed with breast cancer can face up to twelve months of treatment. Many of these treatments cause debilitating side effects which can impact on their ability to remain in the workforce, significantly impacting on household income. For those living with metastatic breast cancer, treatment is lifelong. Without disability insurance, many people with breast cancer would not be able to make ends meet; significantly affecting their quality of life.Read all about it here.

Some interesting stories in the media:

• Don’t Ask Me To ‘Get Over’ My History With Breast Cancer (updated 3 Oct)
• Coast local to close national breast cancer summit (17 Mar)
  
• 'So what if my results say I'm doing better? I'm still dying – just not right now' (26 Mar) - This article has generated a couple of discussions. Check them out here and here.
  

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To members in Queensland, we hope you're safe! If you're able to, please check in and let us know how you're doing.

Everyone, have a relaxing weekend. I'm looking forward to catching up on some reading. How about you?