Friday update 3rd December 2021
Welcome to December members!
A very warm welcome to all our new members who have joined us in November and to our existing members who continue to provide support to others navigating their breast cancer diagnosis or who are seeking support for family/friends.
A reminder for newbies: please check out Charlotte Tottman’s Podcast mini-series ‘What you don’t know until you do’ https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/resources/podcasts/
Dr. Charlotte lays out her lived experience, provide explanations of psychological triggers and responses, and practical strategies that may help someone on their own cancer journey.
Community highlights
November Online Network activity
November saw the Online Network receive a total number of 14,485 visitors to the community: 93 discussions and 875 comments.
Popular forum discussions
Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have received the most comments:
credit @arpie
2. Christmas Funnies ....... put them up here for a laugh!
4. 4th Melanoma found after skin check
Community News
BCNA NEWS 22 Nov 2021 - IMPORTANT- Beware. Suspicious fundraising
Over the last several weeks we have received queries from people within our network across SA, WA and NT regarding this issue. CLICK HERE for full details.
BCNA’s Symptom Tracker
If you haven’t explored the My Journey Symptom tracker, this tool can help you keep a record of the physical and emotional symptoms and side effects from your treatment so that you can feel confident to accurately share the ups and downs of your experience with your treating team and people close to you. Remember, to chat with your treating team if you notice new symptoms, or if your symptoms get too much for you.
You can find out more about BCNA’s Symptom Tracker or use it by downloading BCNA’s My Journey app. For more information visit https://buff.ly/3CnfWTb
Have you ordered the all new BCNA Christmas Baubles?
This year decorate your tree with our 2 pack handcrafted Christmas baubles in support, in celebration or in memory of someone you love. (Even just for you)
Our new 2021 design features a series of Pink Ladies, Blue Man and White Lady to represent the women and men affected by breast cancer and those that we have lost to the disease.
For only $15 the 2 pack of baubles is packaged in an opaque gift box and each unique order on the BCNA online store will receive a free gift tag and sheet of A3 Christmas wrap, while stocks last. A perfect gift to show you care, or simply to adorn your own tree or the trees of your family. Order your baubles today at: https://pinksportsday.bcna.org.au
Cancer Council – Your Guide to best cancer care
Cancer Council have finalised the second edition of the consumer guides for the Optimal Care Pathway suite of resources. The guides are designed to help newly diagnosed patients to make sense of what should happen; helping with what questions to ask your medical team to ensure you receive the best care (Cancer Council 2021). Please find the breast cancer consumer guide (available in seven languages) via the link Guides to best cancer care | Cancer Council
Podcast
Upfront About Breast Cancer Podcast ‘Advanced Care Planning’ – Taking Control of Your Future
Living
with metastatic breast cancer often means you need to make decisions about your
treatment and care. As well as working with your treating team to work out
decisions surrounding your current care, it’s also good to think ahead and talk
about the care you may want in the future, if you are unable to communicate your
preferences for care yourself.
In this
episode we’re joined by Dr Sonia Fullerton. Sonia is a consultant in palliative
medicine who assists in patient centred decision-making and advance care plans.
Listen via
this link or wherever you get your podcasts: https://buff.ly/3FGumQs
As some of
our Online Network members have pointed out: Advanced Care Planning is an
important consideration not just reserved for someone with an illness, as it is
the process of thinking about who would speak on your behalf in the event that
you are unable to make those decisions in the future.
Webcast
The Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of DCIS and Early Breast Cancer -REGISTER NOW!
BCNA are holding this webcast on Thursday 9 December, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEDT. The webcast will explore the use for radiotherapy including the benefits for the treatment of DCIS and early breast cancer, current and emerging techniques of radiotherapy delivery, the planning process and the factors that influence delivery, side effects and ways to manage them, follow up care and the costs associated with treatment. Register now via the link below and comment below the questions you would like answered on radiotherapy. https://bit.ly/3p8edwn
Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries
Well its time to break out the Christmas movies (If you are a fan like me). One of the all-time classics with James Stewart and Donna Reed ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a must watch every year.
Hope you enjoyed the content this week and in the meantime, if you have any concerns while online, please contact one of the moderators - @Jenny_BCNA @Carissa_BCNA @Anna_BCNA @Pat_BCNA @MichelleP_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, Anna, Pat & Michelle
“You are the first
time you’ve ever happened; YOU and NOW are a unique occurrence of which you are
the most reliable measure of all the possibilities.” – Will Smith
