Friday Update 21st January 2022

Friday Update 21st January 2022

Hello members,

Welcome to the first Friday update of 2022!

First, I would like to extend my thankyou to our wonderful members who kept me in the loop with items that needed attention over the office closure period, as we didn’t have our usual fulltime moderating schedule. It was extremely helpful - THANKYOU.

There has been quite a few important updates in relation to COVID-19 vaccinations and associated impacts in the health system that I will share in this update, as well some welcoming news in relation to Telehealth.                                                                                                                                 

Looking back on 2021 Online Network activity

The below data is more than numbers; these are valuable conversations, support and connections:

·        1058 discussions

·        10,486 comments

·        509 contributors

·        3,610 active users

·        914,450 page views

TOP 5 Popular forum discussions in 2021

Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have received the most comments in 2021:

1. Friday Funnies

2. Wise words ....

3. COVID 19 jab

4. Creative Corner!

5. Our Gardens (Check out the beautiful lilium shared by @Locksley) 

BCNA 18 Jan 2022 – Telehealth Consultations

BCNA welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement to reinstate MBS items for Telehealth consultations made via telephone with cancer specialists. We know this will help to reduce exposure and risk to the community during the ongoing pandemic and allow for flexibility in how Telehealth is delivered. BCNA, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia and other health professional groups strongly advocated for telephone Telehealth items to remain on the MBS due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. BCNA has the latest in how this may impact you go to https://buff.ly/3mxBuVy

BCNA 13 Jan 2022- COVID-19 booster vaccine

Those who received a third COVID-19 vaccine due to being immunocompromised or on active cancer treatment are now eligible for a booster vaccine four months after their third shot. Visit My Journey or call BCNA’s helpline for more information about COVID-19 and breast cancer.  My Journey: https://buff.ly/35NnMrp

RACGP - A guide, action plan and symptoms diary for patients

The RACGP has developed a guide to assists COVID-19 positive patients to self-manage their symptoms at home, and is the patient complement to the GP resource Home-care guidelines for patients with COVID-19. CLICK HERE  for further details

WidgitHealth

Widget Health provides free visual images about healthcare. The images can be used for communication or as part of a social script to prepare for a hospital visit or medical procedure for people who may have a communication need or disability. CLICK HERE  for further details

Dine Pink to help BCNA

Now, more than ever, we understand the importance of human connection and we can finally celebrate our friendships and family by connecting in person.

We encourage you to Dine Pink this summer while raising vital funds to support BCNA. You can help ensure people affected by breast cancer stay connected to their support networks by connecting them to resources and services such as the BCNA Helpline, My Journey app, local support groups, and BCNA’s online network. CLICK HERE  to find out more

Podcast (Have you checked out Charlotte Tottman’s podcast?)

‘What You Don’t Know Until You Do’ – EP3 The Showing Up and Letting Down: Surprises and Disappointments in Relationships

When unexpected family or friends show up to support you through your breast cancer diagnosis it can make you feel a great sense of comfort and value.

However, when the people we love step back when we need them most, it can leave you feeling a great sense of disappointment.

In episode 3 of What You Don’t Know Until You Do, Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman discusses how best to respond to disappointment, recalibrate expectations, and how to clearly communicate your emotional and practical needs to those around you.

Listen to episode 3 via the link:  https://www.bcna.org.au/.../charlotte-tottman-podcast.../