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Kirsten_BCNA
Community Manager
Joined 16 years ago
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Exciting news for Breast Cancer Network Australia🎉
Hello to all our members, Today, you may have noticed Breast Cancer Network Australia's website looks a little different. A little bolder. A little brighter. We are ready for what comes next in breast cancer care and support. For more than 25 years, Breast Cancer Network Australia has been shaped by people affected by breast cancer. You’ve shared your experiences, told us what matters and helped us understand where more support and change are needed. That lived experience remains at the heart of who we are, and it has helped shape this next chapter too. Over my twenty years here, you have shared with me and our Network how breast cancer can affect almost every part of life. Treatment and side effects are part of the story, but so are the impacts on emotional health, relationships, work, finances, identity and plans for the future. And for people living with metastatic breast cancer, there is no ‘after treatment’. Our refreshed brand helps us tell more of that story and show up with greater clarity and confidence. We want more people to know who we are, find us when they need us and connect with the trusted information, support and community that you know so well. And while we might look different, what matters most hasn’t changed. We’re still Australia’s largest lived experience breast cancer organisation. Still listening. Still providing trusted information and support. Still bringing your collective voice to the decisions that shape care, access and outcomes. Because the more people we reach, the stronger our network becomes. And the stronger our network becomes, the more we can achieve together as we work towards no life limited by breast cancer. And from tomorrow, you’ll start to see some of our refreshed look appearing here in the Online Network too. The way this community connects, shares and supports one another isn’t changing, but the space around you will start to look a little different. I hope you enjoy seeing our new look come to life and feel proud of the part this community has played in getting us here. Thank you, as always, for being part of Breast Cancer Network Australia and everything we’re building together. As always if you see something that isn't working or you are worried about - we are just a phone call away - please reach out so we can look into it or help you navigate any changes. Cheers, KP🌸 Celebrating the Many Faces of Care👩⚕️
🌸 Care Beyond the Clinical Cancer Nurses Day was recognised on 13 August, and it prompted me to reflect on what it really means to care. Most of us think of care as helping someone in a practical way. Preparing meals, driving to appointments, attending medical consultations, or lending a hand when it's needed. These acts matter deeply. But care is also something more. Care is paying close attention to wellbeing, both our own and that of others. It's noticing when support is needed and responding with compassion, understanding and action. 🌸 At Breast Cancer Network Australia, we've always believed that breast cancer treatment should focus on the person, not just the diagnosis. Every experience is unique, and every individual deserves to feel seen, heard and supported throughout their journey. Care can take many different forms. 💕 👩⚕️ The dedication of a cancer nurse who takes the time to explain, reassure and advocate. 🌿 Access to culturally safe healthcare and support services, regardless of where you live. 💬 Having an honest conversation with family or loved ones about your future care needs, even when it's difficult. 📝 Taking a few minutes to complete a survey that contributes to BCNA's advocacy work and helps shape better outcomes for others. 🏃 Supporting a cause by raising funds or awareness in your community. 🤗 Checking in on a friend who may be going through a challenging time. 💙 Making space to care for yourself when your tank is running low. Care doesn't always come in grand gestures. Often, it's found in the small acts that remind someone they are not alone. As I reflected on Cancer Nurses Day, I realised that care is one of the threads that connects us all across this Online Network. Every story shared, every piece of advice offered, every encouraging comment and every warm welcome contributes to a community built on genuine care. ✨ What has amazing care looked like for you?More Than a Documentary: Why Kylie's story means so much
Last night, I watched the Kylie documentary and there are so many aspects of it that are swirling around in my head. There was so much joy in it. Warmth, humour, resilience. Kylie’s ability to keep showing up with grace and optimism despite everything life has thrown at her is remarkable and genuinely inspiring. But it was episode three that really resonated with me. Her words were what I have heard for over 20 years in BCNA. I imagine it has stayed with many of you too. There is not a woman in the world who has experienced breast cancer who won’t recognise the emotions Kylie so articulately describes. The fear and sometimes reality of recurrence or progression. The invisible experiences people often cannot fully understand unless they’ve lived them too. The emotional, physical, mental and financial impact. The way breast cancer can change confidence, identity, relationships and how someone moves through the world long after treatment ends. When Kylie shared her diagnosis publicly all those years ago, it prompted thousands of women to book breast screens. I am sure that the documentary will once again be a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection. I am incredibly grateful to Kylie for sharing her story with such honesty and humanity. I have no doubt it will be validating for many of you and encourage important conversations around early detection, while also helping put words to an experience that can often feel impossible to explain. In just one episode she covers so many aspects - family, friends, the importance of cards, fertility, work, fatigue, community, fear and fun. It’s a very real reminder of the extraordinary power of lived experience. Something that sits at the very heart of our work every day. If watching the documentary has brought up difficult feelings or questions, please know we are here for you. Call the Helpline on 180 500 258.CEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti - May26
Hi everyone, I wanted to take a moment to check in with you all, the heart of this community. At BCNA, our purpose is grounded in being alongside people through every stage of breast cancer. Information, advocacy, and support are not separate strands of our work. They are woven together, and they are shaped by your voices, your questions, and your experiences. What you share here helps guide where we focus our energy and how we show up for the broader breast cancer community. Right now, we are seeing how powerful good information can be. Clear, trustworthy resources help people move through uncertainty with a little more confidence and a little less fear. That is why we continue to invest so heavily in evidence-based guidance, practical explanations, and support that meets people where they are, emotionally as well as medically. Over the past year, BCNA has been working across many fronts. We have continued to advocate for system wide change, while also strengthening day to day support for individuals and families. One of the most significant advocacy milestones recently was the Australian Senate passing legislation that bans life insurers from using genetic test results to discriminate against new policyholders 🎉. This is a major step forward. It means people can consider genetic testing and preventative care without the fear that this knowledge will be used against them when seeking life insurance. This outcome reflects years of advocacy and the courage of people who shared their stories to help drive change. We are also closely engaged in national conversations about breast screening reform. After attending the BreastScreen Australia Conference in Brisbane, and following recent commitments from the Commonwealth, we are encouraged to see momentum building. At the same time, we know that real reform must deliver equitable, accessible screening for everyone, regardless of where they live or their personal circumstances. We will continue to speak up clearly about what matters to our community and what needs to happen next 📣. Alongside this policy and advocacy work, we remain focused on what day to day life can look like when you are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of you come to the Online Network with very practical questions. What should I do first after diagnosis? How can my GP support me alongside my specialist team? Why does food taste different during treatment? How do I look after my body when everything feels unfamiliar? These questions are deeply human, and they deserve thoughtful, compassionate answers. Caring for your physical wellbeing during treatment is one part of the bigger picture. Gentle movement that feels right for you, nourishing food when you can manage it, and asking for help when you need it are all acts of strength, not weakness 💞. Everyone’s experience is different, and comparison is rarely helpful. What matters is finding support that respects your body and your pace. I also want to acknowledge the role generosity plays in everything we do. Our 2025 Impact Report shows what is possible because of your support. Every program, event, resource, and advocacy win exists because people in this community believe in making things better for others 📘. That shared commitment continues to drive us forward. Most importantly, I want you to remember that BCNA is always here for you. Our Helpline is available whenever questions arise, whether they feel small, complicated, unclear, or overwhelming 📞. Our team is there to listen first, and then help guide you to information, services, or support that fits your needs. Reaching out can feel hard, but you never have to have the right words. Thank you for being part of the BCNA Online Network. Thank you for your openness, your care for one another, and your trust in us. This community matters, and so do you 🌸CEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti - Mar26
Hi everyone, Every year, International Women’s Day gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to creating a more equitable world. This year’s UN Women Australia theme “Balance the Scales” resonates deeply with the work we do at BCNA and with the lived experiences of the hundreds of thousands of women we serve. Recently, I had the privilege of spending time with our long-time partner Sussan to explore what this year’s theme truly means for women navigating Australia’s healthcare system. Their guiding motto “By Women, For Women” pairs powerfully with “Balance the Scales”, highlighting both the strength of women supporting women and the urgency of creating systems that work with them, not against them. In our conversation, I reflected on how often women must fight to be heard, believed, and supported within a healthcare landscape that was never designed with them in mind. At BCNA, our Purpose is to stand for all Australians affected by breast cancer. We want to ensure that everyone can access the care, dignity, and understanding they deserve. 👉 Watch the video here ✨ Our 2025–2030 Strategy: Putting lived experience at the centre For more than 25 years, BCNA has fought to ensure that women's lived experience isn’t an afterthought, it’s the blueprint for action. Our new five-year strategy strengthens this commitment. It sets a bold direction to ensure our: support is stronger advocacy is louder reach is wider impact is deeper ❤️ I believe that the people we serve are the heartbeat of our organisation. This strategy represents their voices, their stories, and their needs. 👉 Explore the 2025–2030 Strategy ✨ Looking back to look forward One of the stories that continues to inspire me is that of our founder, Lyn Swinburne. In the year 2000, Lyn – mum, teacher, and fierce advocate – sat inside the Élysée Palace in Paris. Pen in hand, she paused for a moment, smiling nervously, before signing an international Charter in the presence of French President Jacques Chirac. That moment was more than ceremonial. It marked the beginning of BCNA’s enduring commitment to global advocacy, to women’s rights in healthcare, and to building a future where equity isn’t aspirational, it’s expected. 👉Read more hereCEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti
Hi everyone, As we settle into 2026, I hope you’ve had a moment to pause, reset, and look after yourself. A new year doesn’t always need to come with big resolutions or sweeping changes. Sometimes it’s simply about finding your rhythm again, setting small intentions and making space for what really matters to you. ✨This month, I’m delighted to share some fantastic news. The UK Government has announced important progress in the reporting of metastatic breast cancer data. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, especially following the work we did last year alongside Breast Cancer Now and Rethink Breast Cancer Canada. Our policy team played a significant role in advocating on behalf of our community, and that event helped create key connections, including introducing Breast Cancer Now to a UK politician living with metastatic breast cancer who has since become a powerful advocate for change. For those who are newer to BCNA, our three organisations made a pledge during that meeting - an important document that outlines what real, global progress should look like for metastatic breast cancer. It’s well worth a read if you’re passionate about this area. You can also take a look at Breast Cancer Now’s recent blog about the UK Government’s cancer plan here. Meaningful change always needs champions, and Minister Ashley Dalton is certainly one of them. But champions are inspired by the people around them and there’s no doubt that our very own Vicki Durston, along with Lisa Rankin and our incredible community members living with metastatic breast cancer, our BCNA Consumer Representatives, and so many others helped drive this momentum in the UK. ❤️ Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and involvement in our recent activities, including Carman’s Fun Run in Melbourne and the 13th Beach Pink Players Day. There are so many ways to get involved - participating, fundraising, volunteering, or simply cheering from the sidelines. Every contribution plays a part in strengthening and supporting our community. As we continue through the year, please know how grateful we are to walk alongside you. BCNA will always be here to offer information, connection, and support whenever you need it. Whether you’re joining events, sharing your story, or navigating things at your own pace. 💬 I’d love to know: how can we best support you this year? What would you like to see more of from BCNA in 2026? Comment below!CEO Update - December 2025
Hi everyone, 🎄Can you believe there are only a few more days until Christmas?! Make sure you've seen my personal message to the Online Network as we prepare for the festive season. Watch my message here As we enter into the final weeks of the year, I wanted to check in and share some of my reflections from 2025. I am very conscious of the way we are all feeling after the horrendous events of Bondi last weekend. This will impact us all very differently and I do hope that you have reached out for support if you need it. It is hard for many of our team to understand given we were only at Bondi in October connecting with the local community there. 💡 We are finishing this year with a milestone that epitomises how we advocate for people living with metastatic breast cancer. For 27 years, we’ve fought for visibility for this community, and now we know there are 20,950 Australians living with metastatic disease, people who have too often been invisible in the health system. This is significantly more than previously estimated. And behind this figure are real people. It is also clear that we now have more work to do to ensure our services and information are reaching all those living with metastatic breast cancer. Knowing the number is a key milestone, now we need to make it count. Read more about our pledge below. ❤️ We also know that moments like this can land differently for everyone. BCNA is here to provide support and resources to help you. Remember that our Helpline is here 1800 500 258 between Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm AEDT, or request a time for us to call you. We’ll keep pushing for better care, better treatment, and better outcomes, while being a trusted place to turn to for anyone affected by breast cancer. 💪 Access to the best treatment is fundamental to our work and that is why I am also proud that we drove submissions to ensure two new treatments for metastatic breast cancer and high-risk early breast cancer added to the PBS. This means more affordable access to life-changing options. 🫶 2025 also saw the power of community in every corner of Australia through our fundraising events including at the MCG’s Pink Lady Match. There is nothing more powerful that watching people connect – it brings a sense of belonging that is hard to describe but one I know you all feel on this Online Network. One common thing we do continue to hear in the community is that breast cancer is done – we all know that this is simply not true. So our messages to the general public have been about how far we have to go in early detection, treatment and care. We used Breast Cancer Awareness month to shift the community discussion to improving early detection through our Know Your Yourself. Feel Yourself. campaign, including a step-by-step video that encourages women to know their normal so they can identify changes early. I was shocked to hear so many young women tell us that they had never known how to check their breasts or that they had never really looked at their breasts before. We as a community have perhaps underestimated the knowledge of our young women – so if you can please help us to promote the educational video I would love you to. Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. A massive thank you to our hundreds of incredible volunteers and our dedicated Consumer Representatives who have supported us this year at our events, offices, and campaigns. We couldn’t do what we do without you! We know this can be a difficult time of the year for many of you so I am so pleased the Online Network will be here for you and for the many people who may be coming to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis for the first time. The magic of this Online Network is that you truly understand, you offer emotional support during difficult times, and creating spaces where you can share practical advice, find hope, and at times humour when we need it most! So never underestimate how your posts or questions can make a difference. From me and the whole team at BCNA thank you for being a valued member of our community and I hope you have a summer full of joy. 💬 What was your memorable moment this year and what are your fun plans for this summer? I cant wait to get my feet in the sand and salt water in my hair! Regards, Kirsten Pilatti, CEO, BCNACEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti - Nov25
Dear Online Network community, As we approach the summer and holiday season, I want to take a moment to check in with you all and highlight some of the important campaigns and support services BCNA offers. 👀 October was a month of pride and purpose as we launched our new Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. breast awareness campaign. It was important that we could harness the passion and experiences of our network to help rebuild confidence among young women. While awareness of breast cancer may be high, we now need the Australian community to move from awareness to action. I loved being at Bondi Beach, where hundreds of women stepped into our mirrored booths to learn how to check their breasts with confidence. The energy, connection, and courage on display were truly inspiring. If you haven’t already watched our new educational video, I encourage you to do so - and please share it with your friends, family, and networks. You are our best champions for helping spread this life-saving message. 🏃 Looking ahead, we’re all limbering up for one of BCNA’s biggest events of the year—Carman’s Fun Run in Melbourne. Join me and thousands of runners, walkers, and joggers as we take on 5km, 10km, or the half marathon! It’s a great way to kick off the new year, do something positive for yourself, and raise vital funds to support people affected by breast cancer. You can register here. 👉 Don't forget that we are here for you - we know that many medical services close during this time, which can be particularly challenging for those undergoing treatment. We want to ensure that anyone affected by breast cancer knows support is available including My Journey and My Care Kit. You are all familiar with our incredible Online Network community. When we completed our member experience survey last year, we heard that many people know we are here for when you are first diagnosed but didn’t realise the resources and support we have when people are through those difficult first few months – so I would love you to tell me..... 💬 What is your favourite BCNA information page, video, podcast that has helped and why? As always, please reach out to our helpline if you need anything at all - 1800 500 258 9am-5pm AEDT - we are here and together we are stronger ❤️ Cheers KP Kirsten Pilatti, CEO, BCNARe: 4 Corners - Generation Cancer
Hi JacJac - thanks for sharing your story - you have highlighted so many of the issues we advocate for (just for context I am the CEO of BCNA). That feels weird to write! Patrice was wonderful on the program and really delivered the lived experience in such a powerful way - the reality of it all was there for the whole country to see. You are so right about all the assumptions that exist (still today in breast cancer) it drives me mad! We are also up against many people believing that breast cancer is done and that we need to focus on others - well that is not going to happen on my watch! We are always wanting to connect with people who are happy to share their experience to help us advocate strongly for change. Here are our Policy Priorities would encourage everyone to read them. If you are keen to talk more and help us advocate then https://www.bcna.org.au/get-in-touch/ is the best way and the right person will be able to connect with you. Sadly your experience is not the only one. We wont stop until everyone has the best treatment, CARE and SUPPORT. Really hope we can connect KP
Groups
CR Connect
This is a dedicated space for BCNA Seat at the Table (SATT) trained Consumer Representatives (CRs) to connect, collaborate, share ideas, experiences and resources.Living with metastatic breast cancer
This is group for people living with metastatic breast cancer (also called stage 4, secondary or advanced breast cancer). This is a safe, understanding space to connect with others who truly get what it’s like to hear the words that you are living with metastatic breast cancer. Together, we offer each other strength, compassion, hope encouragement and a place to talk openly—whatever you're facing.Choosing breast reconstruction
PRIVATE GROUP. Choosing breast reconstruction after single or double mastectomy can feel overwhelming, and deeply personal. This group is here to connect you through others' stories and images. Please respect everyone’s privacy—do not copy or share content outside this space. Information is based on personal experience and is not medical advice; always consult your healthcare team for guidance. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING⚠️ Members may share photos of breast surgeries. These images or discussions may be distressing or triggering for some. If you need support, please contact the BCNA Helpline - we are here for you.
