Friday update 7th October 2022
Warm greetings to members old and new. Sorry for the belated Friday update (public holidays and leave caught up with me!).
Despite the continued rain drops left-over from winter days, you can certainly feel the touch of spring in the air as we make our way into October.
BCNA has a lot of activity happening in October as it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I will share with you some of the activities ahead and a little more about BCNA’s theme ‘My Care’.
My local hills look beautiful with the mist
Community highlights
Have you checked out the online network private groups?
It is always great to revisit the various groups that you can join here through the online network, as we do add new ones on occasion. Here are links to all the current groups:
· Choosing breast reconstruction
· Living with metastatic breast cancer
· Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC)
· Christians diagnosed with breast cancer
· Breast Cancer, Childlessness and Us....
· LGBTIQ+ Breast Cancer Network
· Living in Regional, Rural and Remote areas
· Men living with breast cancer
· Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Breast Cancer
(Note: There are no notifications to tell members of a group when someone has posted a new ‘discussion’ or ‘comment’. Therefore it is useful to check-in occasionally on the groups you are part of to see if others are reaching out for support)
Popular forum discussions
Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have been most active in September:
1. Letrozole for the next 10years..
4. Lumpectomy tomorrow - lobular cancer and so scared
Posts by ‘Category’ Name’- September 2022
Community News
Understanding my care
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) wants to take the opportunity to shine a light on what best breast cancer care looks like and empower those diagnosed to make informed decisions about their care. Throughout October BCNA will be promoting what optimal breast cancer care looks like by highlighting five key elements of the Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for people with breast cancer.
We understand that everyone has different needs and personal circumstances, so what is determined to be the best care for you, might be completely different for someone else.
If you would like more information about optimal care, or you have any questions about your care, you can call BCNA’s Helpline on 1800 500 258 or visit Helping Australians access the best breast cancer care
Join us in Rockhampton
BCNA will be hosting an Information Forum in Rockhampton for people living with breast cancer and their supporters on the 26th of October – 9:00am for 9:30am start – 3:00pm.
The Information Forum will cover a range of topics including the latest in breast cancer treatment, managing your emotional wellbeing after a breast cancer diagnosis, and how you can live well during treatment and beyond.
It will also be an opportunity to hear about what BCNA does and the services and resources we have available to support you, alongside discussing the unique rural challenges you may experience and the local services available in your community.
Guest speakers will include Medical Oncologist Dr Rebecca Moor, Oncology Social Worker Dr Carrie Lethborg, Breast Care Nurses Donna Wellington, Sally Haley (McGrath) and Carolanne Boland, Exercise Physiologist and BCNA member Karen Seymour and BCNA member Michelle Peters.
There will be two concurrent information sessions throughout the day – one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. To register or for more information about the event, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/BCNA_Rockhampton_Forum
Making Metastatic Breast Cancer Count
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is taking this opportunity to tell you what we’re doing to shine a light on those living with metastatic breast cancer. As part of our commitment to be the voice of all with metastatic breast cancer, next week on 13 October – Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day – we will be launching a paper on this very issue. The intent of the paper is to:
· Draw attention to the fact that we do not have consistent cancer reporting across Australia that would allow us to determine how many people are currently living with metastatic breast cancer
· Put our own estimated figure to the size of this group using available modelling
· Highlight the unmet supportive care needs of this group
· Call for policy change and accountability to ensure this group is counted and made visible so that we can plan and deliver the care and support they need
On the 13th, we invite you
to connect with BCNA on social media, share our post and Issues Paper, and tell
us what this announcement means to you via our posts and social stories on Facebook,
Instagram
and LinkedIn.
Community Fundraising Events in October
October is the perfect time to host an event because it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Whether it’s a Pink Sports Day and sausage sizzle at your sporting club, an Actively Pink fitness challenge or fundraising walk with friends, or a Pink Lady Event morning tea – registration as a ‘host fundraiser’ is free, simple and fully supported to help you make it a fun and perfectly pink event For ideas and inspo, or to register your event, visit https://bit.ly/BCNA_Community_Fundraising
Regional, Rural and Remote
As mentioned in the last update, there is a new private group Living in Regional, Rural and Remote areas. I thought it would be a good time to remind online members of the BCNA information available for those who live in these areas and are going through a breast cancer diagnosis:
· Launceston Information Forum: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpvVCfUeAqMB_rEU4xOFhqJHau0AJG7sj
· Ballarat Information Forum: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpvVCfUeAqMBmHGiqN4Puaae3szIqRi3d
· Podcast episode: In conversation with Tania and Fiona: The challenges of living in a rural area following a breast cancer diagnosis
· My journey articles Questions to ask if you live in a remote or rural area; Breast cancer information for people in rural areas; Financial supports for people with breast cancer in rural and remote areas
Webcasts
Men and Breast Cancer – Treatment, Managing Side Effects and Finding Support
In recognition of Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Thursday 20 October, we will be hosting an interactive webcast for men diagnosed with breast cancer. The session will explore hormone-blocking treatments for breast cancer and how to manage side effects, provide information about lymphoedema and the treatment and care available and learn about what resources and support are available to you. To register or for more information about the event CLICK HERE
Did you miss the ‘Living well with breast cancer’ online information forum?
Thank you to everyone who joined one or more of the sessions during our recent online Information Forum. We hope you took away some helpful information and enjoyed connecting with others.
If you missed a session that interested you, the videos are now available to be viewed on demand CLICK HERE
For more information about our upcoming Information Forums please visit the BCNA website
Books/Movies/TV Series/ Documentaries
A Darker Shade of Pink - Mary O'Brien & Pia Hirsch
The book describes the story of 21 years of supporting women living with metastatic breast cancer. It is a pragmatic guide about establishing and running this kind of group as well as a collection of funny, sad, and creative stories and experiences told by Mary, Pia and the women who have been a part of the Advanced Breast Cancer Group throughout the last 21 years.
The above book is another beauty out of the My Journey library (If you have any breast cancer related books that you have found insightful, please email through contact@bcna.org.au).
Take care and if you have feedback or any concerns while online, please contact one of the moderators -
@Jenny_BCNA @Carissa_BCNA @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA
If you need to speak with someone regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258 alternatively, you can email contact@bcna.org.au
Take care,
The mod team – Mez, Carissa, Jenny, & Pat
“Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.” – Dodinsky
