BCNA's State of the Nation Report launched today

@traveltext - I didn't believe him for a minute. I wish I could find an oncologist who I could believe.

The user and all related content has been deleted.

That sounds like a load of bull @PatsyN. Perhaps lung cancer, but not breast cancer. Do you believe him/her?

Aggie said:

Hey @Kirsten_BCNA, my oncologist said my BC was due to 'bad luck.'  According to you, if I get a recurrence I may be to blame.  Guess it depends what side of the desk you sit on, 'real life' vs 'ivory tower'.

My oncologist said my breast cancer was a direct result of the passive smoking I endured (like everyone of the era and my 11 brothers and sisters) as a child. He looked into my eyes and said that my family had caused this.

Back to The State of the Nation launch - if we can? I read the whole report and I have to say, I LOVE IT! I love it because it is so obviously from the hearts and souls of BC fighters and their families. It has been put together so well, organised, easy to read and sectioned beautifully. I will go back and read it again, section by section, slowly and really absorb what BC fighters are saying across our country and what BCNA intend to do to try and improve Australian's experiences with this disease.
I think the document is really quite thorough, but I do feel at least one thing has been missed. There is a lot of evidence from BreastScreen Australia that the invitation age for active screening of the population should be lowered to 45. I know it is free from 40, but this is not advertised and the majority of women in this age group do not know or do not think it is relevant because the '50' number is on all advertising. The mortality benefit of screening 45-49 yr olds is 30%!! That is second only to 60-64 year olds (37%) Breast density changes often around this age too and mammograms become more effective. Approximately 20% of all BC's are also found in women in their 40's (this is also a FALSE LOW if we consider women attending their first mammogram at 50-51 and finding they have BC - these stats go into the 50+ age group when these cancers were establishing and growing in their late 40's )
The problem with the data sets in this age group is that false positive and breast density data (which are two reasons to negate population mammography screening) has been collected from a 40-49 yr age range, so this information skews results away from 45-49 yr old information. If this data exists, I can't find it. 

We all want early detection for best chances of survival. This is a big part of The State of the Nation Report. I feel there is a HUGE hole that women 45-49 are falling in to. Having a mammogram at 50, is too late for too many Australian women.

I have been following this thread about exercise and recurrence and do not wish to add to it, because I do not have the information or knowledge that links these two things.
I DO KNOW as stated by everyone here, that exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle in so many varied ways. Obviously the physical, but also mental health, particularly depression.  There are even studies to show that 30 mins of cardiovascular exercise that ups your heart rate can reduce your chances of developing dementia.
So many benefits to exercising!  Perhaps we can all just agree upon that and integrate as much exercise into our daily lives as possible, for all round better health and well being and healthy BMI range.
So considering all, exercise is something every single person should be doing regularly, whether they have had cancer or not. 
(Yes, I know this is not the specific issue you have been debating here!) 

I don't read anything in this thread that requires the mods to step in apart from suggesting that a new thread be initiated with a title such as Exercise and Recurrence. Then the discussion would be under an appropriate heading, likely inviting more people to comment. It's too bad to flame what was a topic started about the important BCNA launch of State of the Nation, although I do understand discussions get started and before long they are several pages long.

Hi everyone, I know some of you have been expecting a response from BCNA. We have had internal discussions regarding this thread and we have decided not to add anything further to this post.  We are particularly mindful of the importance of providing a safe and trusted place for newly diagnosed women who come to the forum feeling vulnerable and seeking support.  We therefore ask that if you wish to discuss further the approach we are taking in regards to the benefit of exercise and risk of recurrence to please contact our CEO Kirsten at kpilatti@bcna.org.au or Danielle Spence, Director, Advocacy, Policy and Programs at dspence@bcna.org.au. We are always open to our members feedback.
Hope you all have a great weekend
Cheers
Marianne

Check

@melclarity 
Your last paragraph above suggests you are saying Ooroo!  I hope that is only for a short break as your input is greatly appreciated by me and I am sure others!

I understand the hurt you feel on this topic!  Reminds me of a discussion post a couple of months back, similar result - a lack of understanding of differing views and someone like you who is deeply affected by recurrence

Take care, Hugs x