Best Of
Re: Christmas Funnies ....... put them up here for a laugh!
Not a 'funny' this time - but something 'special'!! 
If you can find yourself some bright red Bottle Brush Blossoms & leaves .... give this a go!
It really does look stunning!!! Just make sure the bottles have an excellent tight seal first - or maybe put the bottles onto a tray!!
Using 3 sizes of bottles & putting them in a group (the smallest one in the front of the 2 other ones) looks magic.
ENJOY!
Another lovely coloured Bottle Brush
If you can find yourself some bright red Bottle Brush Blossoms & leaves .... give this a go!
It really does look stunning!!! Just make sure the bottles have an excellent tight seal first - or maybe put the bottles onto a tray!!
Using 3 sizes of bottles & putting them in a group (the smallest one in the front of the 2 other ones) looks magic.
ENJOY!
Another lovely coloured Bottle Brush
arpie
2
Choosing to stop treatment
I was diagnosed with metastases in October last year and was given ~12 months. We tried Trodelvy but it was too hard on my body. Tried Eribulen but a recent CT scan showed it’s not working.
my onc has said we could try liposomal doxyrubicin but I had a horrible time on doxorubicin last year. He estimates I have maybe 2 - 3 months left and the next treatment has about a 20% chance to work, and if it does, it would only buy me a couple more months at most.
im thinking it’s time to stop treatment and just enjoy the days I have left.
has anyone else made this decision? What is your experience? Were you in pain or have other bad symptoms?
my onc has said we could try liposomal doxyrubicin but I had a horrible time on doxorubicin last year. He estimates I have maybe 2 - 3 months left and the next treatment has about a 20% chance to work, and if it does, it would only buy me a couple more months at most.
im thinking it’s time to stop treatment and just enjoy the days I have left.
has anyone else made this decision? What is your experience? Were you in pain or have other bad symptoms?
Friday Update 20th December 2024 (BCNA Christmas Closure Details)
As we find ourselves in the last month of the year, we reflect on the activities BCNA have undertaken in 2024 (Highlights shared in the update), while acknowledging the work still ahead. This December, we are filled with gratitude for the strength, resilience, and hope that defines the breast cancer community. Whether you are a someone living with or beyond breast cancer; metastatic breast cancer; a caregiver or loved one - we hope the Online Network continues to be a safe place you can turn to for support and information.
To our regular contributors to the Online Network that 'stick around' to support others, we appreciate the invaluable support you spread throughout the forum and the positive ripple effect that you may not see.
Enjoy the update!
BCNA Helpline over Christmas and New Year
BCNA’s Helpline will be closed from BCNA’s Helpline will be closed from 5pm Monday 23 December and will reopen on Monday 6 January at 9am (AEDT). During this time, you can request the Helpline team to call you back when we reopen by filling out this FormIf you are looking for information about breast cancer visit our website https://www.bcna.org.au/resources-during-the-festive-season/
If you require additional support through this time, please contact one of the following organisations:
Cancer Council https://www.cancer.org.au/ or 13 11 20 (available 27-31 December from 10am – 2pm (AEDT))
Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ available 24/7
Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au/ available 24/7
For First People, 24/7 support is available at 1300YARN (12 92 76) https://www.13yarn.org.au/
For LGBTIQ+ people call or webchat with QLife at http://www.qlife.org.au/ or 1800 184 527 (available everyday 3pm-midnight)
Online Network over Christmas and New Year
You can continue to connect with others with a breast cancer experience here on BCNA's Online Network (available 24/7)Mez, Daina and Kate will be moderating the Online Network over the closure period should you need to send a private message for urgent matters you can include all moderators in your message.
To send a private message from your laptop/desktop click the envelope next to your profile
picture and click on the highlighted picture below; type in the moderator’s
names in the ‘recipients’ Mez_BCNA Kate_BCNA Daina_BCNA . Type the body of your message and hit ‘Post Message’button:
To send a message from your mobile device you will click on your profile picture and then the envelope will be on the top-right (screenshot below):
Community highlights
Christmas Funnies
In the spirit of Christmas Funnies ....... put them up here for a laugh!
Popular forum discussions
You may be interested in several forum discussions that have received the most comments in December:BCNA Community News - 2024 Highlights
Counting people with metastatic breast cancer: a step closer - 05 Feb 2024
A roadmap to finally count the number of people diagnosed with incurable and life limiting metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a step closer thanks to the $1.5 million announced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fund a cancer data alliance on Saturday 3 February Read full article here
Carman's Fun Run raises $285,000 for BCNA - 22 Feb 2024
Melbourne turned on perfect weather as 6,100 participants ran or walked to support Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
With your support, BCNA has raised over $285,000 through Carman's Fun Run this year, and the donations are still coming in!
All funds raised help BCNA to continue our work to ensure that all Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's efforts through online fundraising and by getting involved on the day. We would also like to thank the Gaudry Foundation for their generous dollar matching donation of $10,000.
BCNA Impact Report- 29 Feb 2024
We hope you enjoy reading about our many achievements, the significant milestones we’ve reached, and the personal messages from individuals who, with your support, have been helped in numerous ways by BCNA. Please read the report via the link 2024 Impact Report
BCNA welcomes pharmacy prescription changes for breast cancer medications- 05 March 2024
From 1 September 2023, people will start to pay less to access 325 medications on the PBS – with the Federal Government allowing a 60-day supply to be dispensed each time a person goes to the pharmacy, instead of a 30-day supply Read full article here
Pink Bun Campaign raises $2 million for BCNA - 5 June 2024
BCNA gratefully extend a heartfelt thank you to our foundation partner Bakers Delight, along with every person who purchased Fun Buns or made a donation in-store between May 9-29. It is you who made the 2024 Pink Bun campaign a huge success! With your help, Bakers Delight raised an incredible $2 million, which will go directly to help Breast Cancer Network Australia support all Australians affected by breast cancer.
https://youtu.be/RIjY93A7AVIPink Lady Match raises $165,000 for BCNA - 28 June 2024
The power of connection was on full display last Saturday night at the MCG with almost 30,000 fans attending to support Melbourne FC and North Melbourne FC in the 2024 Pink Lady Match. Our Mini-Field of Women tribute outside the ground and light up display from partners Opal ANZ and Red Energy welcomed fans to the ground before filling the Pink Lady Bays with a sea of pink beanies, scarves and ponchos.
Greater access to life-extending drug for people with metastatic breast cancer - 28 Aug 2024
https://youtu.be/1MS3SHQVRGg?si=7M6_8C5joIHQW2wVNew data captures true number for metastatic breast cancer
In a world first, people with metastatic breast cancer are now being counted – at least in New South Wales. And work by the Cancer Institute New South Wales shows numbers have been wildly underestimated.
Previously, the national estimate was of 10,553 people living with the disease. This new, verified data shows 7,900 people (7,850 women and 50 men) with metastatic breast cancer in NSW alone Read full article here
https://youtu.be/n5c94wdEkd0BCNA Webcasts / Information Forums in 2024
Webcast 'Persistent pain after breast cancer, addressing quality of life' - 07 Feb 2024
https://youtu.be/SGWv6HhHn3QBCNA Information Forum (Murray Bridge SA) - 06 March 2024
The Information Forum covered topics including:
- Current and emerging treatments
- Managing emotional impacts
- Lymphoedema
The Information Forum covered topics including:
- Current and emerging breast cancer treatments
- Managing the emotional impacts of living with breast cancer
- The role of exercise in breast cancer care
- A guided meditation.
Webcast 'Let's cut through all the hype! Why exercise?' - 22 May 2024
https://youtu.be/ACwFpR1M32QWebcast 'Global insights and local voices on metastatic breast cancer' - 13 Aug 2024
https://youtu.be/vId3tnJ-wnkOnline support session 'Dealing with fear or doubt about treatment choices' - 09 Sept 2024
Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti discuss ways to recognise, manage and overcome emotions that media coverage may have caused. It includes qualified advice and strategies on how to manage what you may be feeling. (Mez's top pick for 2024!!)
https://youtu.be/Eb6hKrI1rhsBooks/Movies/TV Series/Docos
This Cancer Council video is a few years old now, however still relevant for people navigating a breast cancer diagnosis over the holiday period. You may like to check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkVCLbsvp74On a lighter note, I still believe these are my favourite movies in recent years and worth a watch:
As I always say if you are not feeling Christmas this year there is always 'The Grinch who stole Christmas'!
Our Helpline team, moderators and BCNA send you warmest wishes of happiness, rest and good times with the people (and pets!) who bring you joy. Hope to connect with you all again in 2025!
The Mod Team - @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA @Daina-BCNA @Kate_BCNA @Denise_BCNA @Risha_BCNA
If you wish to speak with the Helpline team regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm (AEDT), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au
"May your days be merry and bright" - White Christmas
Mez_BCNA
2
5 Years on...
Diagnosed 2018. All clear now. Would like to thank this site for all the informative information and support. I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction. Just wanted to say thank you for everyone's support here. To everyone who's just been diagnosed or struggling, there is help, just reach out. That's what happened for me. Hugs. Julie
Harvey1903
12
Share your views: Artistic tattooing of breast-cancer mastectomy scars
Hi everyone!
Following up on my previous post, I’d like to invite you to participate in a PhD research study being conducted by Tina-Maree Newlan of Charles Sturt University on artistic tattooing of breast-cancer mastectomy scars. The study aims to investigate the experiences of women who have had breast cancer mastectomy surgery and their experiences with making choices and decisions to decoratively tattoo mastectomy scars and what do those experiences mean for them.
This request has been reviewed and approved by BCNA, and the project has been approved by Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol number H24311).
You are eligible to participate in this research study if you:
are a women aged 18 or over
have had an early breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer mastectomy surgery and completed, or are in the process of completing, professional decorative artistic tattooing of mastectomy scarring
Would like to participate in an interview and are English speaking sufficient to participate in an interview
What does the study involve?
Eligible participants would take part in an initial 60-minute interview (via Zoom or face to face, depending on geographical location relative to the Gold Coast) and then a subsequent second 30-minute interview around two months later.
How do I take part?
If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact the researcher, Tina-Maree Newlan at tnewlan@csu.edu.au
Introduction - Erana from BCNA
Hi everyone!
My name is Erana, and I am the Consumer Engagement Coordinator at BCNA. I work with our wonderful Consumer Representatives and oversee our Review and Survey Group.
In the coming months, you may notice a few posts from me highlighting external research and survey opportunities that you can participate in.
These opportunities have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by BCNA to ensure it is of high quality, relevant to our Policy & Advocacy Strategy, organisational priorities and will lead to tangible benefits for those affected by breast cancer. While we typically share them through our Review and Survey Group communications, we thought it would be beneficial to also share them here for those who aren’t currently part of the Review and Survey Group. If you'd like to join the group, feel free to sign up here Review and Survey Group.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send through a comment or message and we'll do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
Thanks,
Erana
Re: Lost
Good morning @Number2 virtual hugs coming your way.
That treatment plan will be familiar to a few of us and we’re here for you. ❤️🌷🌸
I was offered a “port” - technically a “port-a-catheter” - has it been mentioned for you yet? It helped ease the setting up of my chemo and was inserted via a short day procedure in my arm.
As you say there’s a long road ahead but the good news is that the treatment you’ll have is tailored and informed by the tests and diagnostics you have been doing.
I had neo adjuvant TCHP and was motivated by understanding that mid-way through an ultrasound would be done to see if it was working (shrinking the tumour) and would also inform the choices around surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy).
I had neo adjuvant TCHP and was motivated by understanding that mid-way through an ultrasound would be done to see if it was working (shrinking the tumour) and would also inform the choices around surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy).
Apologies if you have already found these BCNA resources, in case you haven’t they are short and sharp and useful to get a sense of where we fit and I also sent the links to selected family and friends so they could inform themselves about my situation
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/types-of-breast-cancer/
and
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/her2-positive-early-breast-cancer/
and
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/her2-positive-early-breast-cancer/
The BCNA site links to a very clearly written decision-making resource for people who are having neo adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy
https://myneoguide.com/#/It’s from the Breast Cancer Trials website (an Australian site) and you can either download for reading throughout your journey or use it inter actively - it shows the different decision points and possibilities depending on how we individually respond to treatment. Again, one that might be useful for your family.
Sing out if you have any questions, the best thing is you’ve found this network 🌺🌻🌸 sending you all good wishes as you prepare for a slightly different time ahead.
Tri
1
Re: Stage 2, Triple Neg
Hi @AusEmbo77 good to know you can access a program near you. I valued having some structured supervised exercises that helped maintain muscle mass and I had back up on the rare occasion that I felt unwell (heart or blood pressure). There was a small group of us and though our ages and cancer types were different I found their quirks, humour and positivity good for the soul.
For me the Hydralyte helped because I had no appetite and I occasionally had a bit of diarrhoea so getting a few salts and sugars seemed to even it up.
For me the Hydralyte helped because I had no appetite and I occasionally had a bit of diarrhoea so getting a few salts and sugars seemed to even it up.
The good news is that I finished my active treatment in late April and had an all clear 12m check in July ☺️ so I am feeling grateful. Since then I’ve enjoyed just focusing on building stamina and strength. The human body is amazing the way it can bounce back. 🌸🌺🌻
Tri
3
Re: Recurrence group?
@Esjay very good point about the 'fear of recurrence' info vs someone who has had a recurrence. We have taken this feedback to our Content team for consideration when updating future supporting information in our resources. @arpie good suggestion - we are holding off on any new groups just for a very short time, however it is the second one on my list to consider in 2025 very valid points and hopefully for now the Online Network can provide support for you @deekay77
very valid points and hopefully for now the Online Network can provide support for you @deekay77Mez_BCNA
4