Friday Update 1st April 2022

Friday Update 1 April 2022

Hello members

Well, we have arrived in April already and I have some great content for you to check out in this update.

Once again sending our thoughts to those in the flood effected areas, many of whom are still battling severe weather conditions. Take Care and stay safe.

March Online Network activity 

March saw the Online Network receive a total number of 14,477 visitors to the community; 59 new members and 89 new discussions. 

Popular forum discussions

Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have been most active the past fortnight:

1. Awake at stupid o’clock

2. I feel worse now than when I was having radiation

3. Friday Funnies

credit @cranky_granny

4. Scanxiety - does it ever REALLY go away?

BCNA News – Trodelvy approved for PBS

BCNA welcomes announcement to list Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan) to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Read the full article  CLICK HERE

BCNA News – BCNA launches information for First Peoples

BCNA launches a series of new videos in which First Peoples women from around Australia share their experiences with breast cancer. Read the full article CLICK HERE

BCNA News - BCNA launches LGBTIQ+ resources

BCNA launches a range of new resources to provide LGBTIQ+ people diagnosed with breast cancer the information and support they need throughout the different stages of their treatment and care. Read the full article CLICK HERE

Calling for change ahead of the 2022 Federal Election

The 2022 federal election presents the opportunity for BCNA to advocate for improvements to Australia’s healthcare system and health policies in the interests of people diagnosed with breast cancer. BCNA has established six priority areas, including17 specific recommendations, that aim to address the key challenges being faced by people with breast cancer. Read full details via the link BCNA Election Manifesto

Host a Pink Bun Party!

BCNA and BakersDelight are excited to announce the Pink Bun campaign is back in 2022! Pink Fun Buns will be available at your local Bakers Delight from 28 April – 18 May and 100 per cent of sales from ALL Fun Buns goes to BCNA. Register your Pink Bun event now here: https://buff.ly/3hOBy0C

My Care Plan

I attended the VCCC Alliance ‘Rethinking Survivorship’ virtual conference last week and was reminded of the ‘My care plan’. This initiative of Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre at Peter Mac is an online tool that can be used to create a survivorship care plan after treatment for early-stage breast, prostate or bowel cancer. The website is quick and easy to use, and freely available to health professionals and patients https://www.mycareplan.org.au/

Webcasts

Ask the Expert: Living well with lymphoedema with Maree O’Connor

At this Ask the Expert event, we will hear from lymphoedema physiotherapist Maree O’Connor and BCNA Consumer Monique Bareham. Maree has over 30 years' experience in lymphoedema management and physiotherapy following breast cancer and Monique was recently announced as South Australia’s 2022 Local Hero for her advocacy for compression garments for lymphoedema after her own personal experience of lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment.  Thursday 7 April 7:00 – 8:00 PM AEST. Register now and submit your questions to be answered on the night: https://buff.ly/3IJHTrq

Podcasts - Upfront About Breast Cancer

·        Ep 40: LGBTIQ+ experiences of breast cancer and cancer care

Let’s be Upfront about the extra challenges and different needs of LGBTIQ+ people when diagnosed with breast cancer. Joining us for this episode of Upfront is Jane Ussher and Natalie Halse. Jane is a Professor of Women’s Health Psychology in the Translations Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University and is the lead researcher in the recent ‘Out with Cancer’ Study. Natalie is a registered nurse and a BCNA consumer representative with lived breast cancer experience of a LGBTIQ+ person Listen via this link or wherever you get your podcasts: https://buff.ly/3trtSuj

·       Ep 41: Through a rainbow lens – Navigating breast cancer as a LGBTIQ+ couple

Let’s be upfront about LGBTIQ+ communities that are affected by breast cancer. We know that cancer doesn’t discriminate and depending on who you are, and how you identify, your experience can be different. Joining us for this episode is Mel Krollig and her partner Riki Owens-Bennett. Mel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 36 and has had fertility treatment, a single mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Riki works as a community worker for the LGBTIQ+ communities in South Australia and has been by Mel’s side during her breast cancer journey. Listen via this link or wherever you get your podcasts https://bit.ly/3L1DiT1

Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries