Friday Update 17th December 2021 (Christmas Closure Details)

Friday update 17th December 2021

Welcome to the final Friday Update of 2021!

I would like to extend gratitude and thanks to all members of the online network.  In my short time so far with BCNA, I have observed the forum as such a welcoming space for people affected by breast cancer to be supported and heard as they navigate their own journey.                                                                                                                                      

BCNA Helpline over Christmas and New Year

From 5pm AEDT on Thursday 23rd of December 2021 BCNA’s Helpline will be closed and will reopen at 9am AEDT on Tuesday 4th January 2022. The online network will be moderated as per weekend moderation hours i.e. a couple of hours per day (morning and evening)..

Christmas can be a particularly tough time for many people, and we encourage you to connect with other members here to support each other. Please continue to be kind and practice extra understanding/patience with other members during this time.

Keep connections with your existing support networks such as family or friends, your general practitioner or member of your medical team. Additionally, the following services are available:

Cancer Council Helpline Call 13 11 20 Open 9 am till 12 pm between Christmas & New Year period, closed on public holidays

Beyond Blue Call 1300 22 4636   24 hours 7 days a week (All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential)

Life line Australia Call 13 11 14 24 hours 7 days a week (emotional distress,  crisis support and suicide prevention services)

Christmas Funnies

In the spirit of Christmas Funnies… 

You can check out more of these Christmas posts in the discussion link below: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/205348#Comment_205348

Popular forum discussions

Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have received the most comments:

1. Chemo or not chemo

2. Radiation decision

3. Hormone inhibitors. To use or not.

4. Results tomorrow

5. Wise words ....

credit @FLClover

Breast cancer and the third COVID-19 vaccine (BCNA Health Practitioners Network News 9 Dec 2021)

BCNA encourages all heath professionals to discuss the benefits of a third COVID-19 vaccine with their patients on active treatment for breast cancer. Advice published by ATAGI recommends a third primary dose administered 2-6 months after the second vaccine to anyone undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy to achieve the best possible immune response for this immunocompromised group.

Others with breast cancer who are receiving different types of treatments such as immunotherapy and hormone therapy can get a booster vaccine 6 months after their second dose. The booster vaccine is encouraged for everyone and is important for carers and family of those with cancer as well. Both state clinics and GPs are now administering third primary as well as booster vaccine doses.

CARMAN’S FUN RUN 2022 – The perfect gift this Christmas!

Now is the perfect time to register yourself and a friend for the Carman's Fun Run in 2022.  Entry to this event will not only make a fantastic Christmas gift for loved ones, it will also help Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) support thousands of Australians diagnosed each year Register Here!

Carman's Fun Run will be held on Sunday 20th February 2022 at the picturesque Elsternwick Park in Melbourne, Victoria.  More than 5,000 people will fill the Bayside streets excited to be reconnecting with loved ones, whilst supporting BCNA.  If you can't make it there on the day there’s a run anywhere, anytime option too.

Enjoy the event experience at Carman's Fun Run, with live acoustic music, a family zone including mini golf, a jumping castle and face painting, plus a chill zone where you can relax with a post-race massage.

Friends of BCNA – AFLW Membership Offer

For a strictly limited time - until 9am, Wednesday December 22 as a ‘Friend of BCNA’ you can access an exclusive Melbourne AFLW membership offer for only $60
and receive free gifts, including a ticket to the AFL Pink Lady Match in 2022! Join the Dees AFLW as they PLAY4BCNA! Click the link for more https://buff.ly/3dMK9RS

PeterMac – The CanEAT Pathway

A guide to optimal cancer nutrition for people with cancer, carers and health professionals. This pathway has been co-designed to help people with cancer, carers and health professionals achieve and deliver optimal nutrition care. It will provide and link you with reliable information, resources and tools and provide some practical tips that will help you along the way. www.petermac.org/CanEATpathway

Otis Foundation

Perhaps a Christmas gift for yourself or someone else affect by breast cancer.  Otis Foundation is a national charity gifting retreat accommodation to people experiencing breast cancer and their loved ones. They will take enquiries from anyone who has experienced breast cancer and feel they would benefit from a stay. http://www.otisfoundation.org.au/

Podcast

Upfront About Breast Cancer Podcast Hormone Blocking Therapy – Balancing Quality of Life and Risk of Recurrence

Let’s be upfront about the side effects, benefits and the impact of hormone-blocking therapies for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Hear from the experiences of Debbie Packham and Ro Woods – who have both been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergone hormone-blocking therapy for various periods of time, as well as Lisa Sheeran who has worked with breast cancer patients for over 21 years and been a breast care nurse for 9 years.
Listen now via https://bit.ly/3yxw5Fl

Webcast

'The Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of DCIS and Early Breast Cancer’ RECAP

The on-demand recording from last weeks webcast is now live - https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/f19ef8.html

There were  1,654 registrations for this webcast:

Our one-hour event saw presentations and conversations from:

·        Kirsten Pilatti, BCNA CEO

·        Associate Professor Gillian Lamour, Radiation Oncologist

·        Sophie Andrews, Oncology Nurse

·        Susan Manks, BCNA Consumer

A few frequently asked/mentioned topics from the night were:

·        Long term side effects from radiation

·        Developing on-going skin changes

·        Lymphoedema  

·        Effects on heart and lungs  

·        Radiation and fatigue 

The mod team – @Mez_BCNA, @Carissa_BCNA, @Jenny_BCNA, @Anna_BCNA, @Pat_BCNA  @MichelleP_BCNA