Forum Widgets
Recent Discussions
📣 Free Webinar for Carers: Your Legal Rights and Support Options 💙
Caring for someone with cancer can be rewarding, challenging, and at times overwhelming. Knowing what support is available can make a real difference. 💙 Join this free webinar designed to help carers understand their legal rights and access practical support. Topics include: 💰 Financial support and assistance for carers 💼 Workplace rights and entitlements 📄 Legal decision-making and planning 🤝 Free and low-cost support services, including financial counselling and legal assistance 🗓 Wednesday 18 November 2026 🕐 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT Presented by Carers Victoria and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer. If you're supporting a family member, partner, friend, or loved one through cancer, this session may provide valuable information and guidance. 🔗 Register here18ViewsSign in to react to this post0CommentsThank you to the carers of those with breast cancer 💖
‘If you’re not in a good place then it's really hard to look after someone else’ Stuart Diver’s message to those caring for someone with breast cancer is: Prioritise your mental and physical health Access resources like BCNA’s My Journey which offers personalised information What tips do you have for caring for someone with breast cancer? Let us know in the comments. If you aren’t sure how to support someone in your life with breast cancer or you need help navigating your role as a carer, you can call our free and confidential Helpline for information and support on 1800 500 258 between Monday- Friday 9am – 5pm.98ViewsSign in to react to this post1CommentPerjeta cost
Hello army of knowledge. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week and I will commence chemo next week, so processing and decision making is happening quicker than I can keep up with right now. I have looked for this answer but can not find it so I'm hoping someone can help. Perjeta has been recommended as 1 of 4 in my treatment and I was advised the cost is 6k. Today, I was sent an article from BCNA that stated perjeta was now on PBS so I'm seeking the answer is Perjeta covered under PBS or is it an extra cost Please help my brain rest. x186ViewsSign in to react to this post2CommentsPlease help me help my wife.
My wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January and is BRCA1 so a double mastectomy is more than likely happening soon. I'm getting better at just letting her vent and holding her sometimes instead of wanting to fix everything. I don't know how to help her with her own mental state with the impending surgery on top of the already completed hysterectomy. She said the other night, and excuse me for being blunt, "Would you still feel like a man if you had your d*** and b**** cut off?". Now I don't care what she looks like, surgery could remove anything and I would still love her and be lost without her, but I'm at a loss as to how to help or what to do when she gets sad about the last of her "woman parts" being removed. Of course having bits taken off is better then some of the less desirable outcomes, but how can I help her deal with her feelings moving forward? Have you been there? If so got any tips?439ViewsSign in to react to this post7CommentsWhere to find support?
Hi I was recently diagnosed with grade 3 comedo necrosis DCIS 11mm in my Rt breast. I had a failed lumpectomy on the 2nd August (the hook wire went into my muscle), and I'm going for a re-do this Friday. My problem is that I have no support person to attend appointments with me or help me out in general while recovering. I live alone, have no family nearby, and my friends are work colleagues who have their own lives. I have never needed assistance for anything, and I'm very independant. This diagnosis has me feeling very isolated! Where do people find their support?381ViewsSign in to react to this post6CommentsSupport for carers in Melbourne
Hi all, My wife has been diagnosed 21 days ago with an aggressive TNBC and is already a week into chemo. The whole thing is a whirlwind and I am really struggling even though I am grateful for the support we have around us. We have small kids and even though I was already the primary care giver in the family (I've always supported my wife in her career) for then I am finding it tough. I just wish I had another carer I could talk to face to face about it. Is there anywhere husbands of BC warriors can just chat? Not sure anything like that exists in Melbourne or even Australia. There are some amazing organizations in the USA, but seems limited in this country. Thanks for reading and wishing all you ladies the best264ViewsSign in to react to this post5CommentsYoung People Caring for Sick Family Members
I was recently at a Variety Ladies Luncheon and was taken back by a young woman, Madeline Buchner OAM, founder of Little Dreamers. Little Dreamers came out of her life experience which is amazing and inspiring. At 9 years of age Madeline identified a gap in the support system for young people who cared for sick family members. She grew up alongside her brother who suffered multiple chronic illnesses, and her mother, now a breast cancer survivor. Personally I empathise with Madeline as I too was a young carer when I lost my mother at the age of 7. How wonderful it would have been to have a support resource back in the 60's Today Little Dreamers is a leading young carer organsation supprting young people who provide unpaid care for family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction or frail age. If this strikes a cord with you, check out Little Dreamers.org.au. Happy Easter Karen Survivor 16 years141ViewsSign in to react to this post2CommentsLooking for someone with TNBC to chat with! (From a family member of a TNBC patient)
Hi, my name is Marisa, and I have a cousin of a TNBC patient (stage 3). As you might know, TNBC is a rare kind of cancer, it is very hard to get a hold of other TNBC patients. I am hoping to be able to find someone with TNBC to share experiences with. My cousin is overseas and considering getting treatment here in Melbourne or other parts of Australia. Would be great to hear other people's experiences with Cancer care, trial treatments, etc! Thanks in advance :)274ViewsSign in to react to this post5CommentsAn amazing friend
I just had to share this news. A friend that has stepped up to support me in my journey. Has just told me that she has raffled a bottle of Proseco in the over 50s building that she lives in the cost a donation to the Breast Cancer Month, and she has raised $286 All I can say is wow. I thought you would all like to hear a happy story to make your day ♥️ Hugs Cheryl205ViewsSign in to react to this post5Commentswhere is the partners section
I'm looking for some support and connection with partners of people with BC. Where to go? This website not easy to navigate and find someone to talk to. Its supposed to be a 24/7 contact space but where for partners? We live this awful existence too, our lives put on hold too, our anxieties and fears too.341ViewsSign in to react to this post4Commentssupport group in Melbourne
Hi. I am 43 years old from Melbourne- 12 years in Australia. I don't have any family in Australia. Only husband and our 9 years old daughter and I have only a few friends . I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 25 th October, went for the operation one month later. From 6 th January I will start my radiation 25 sessions.. I would like to reach to some support group, North of Melbourne, or City.250ViewsSign in to react to this post9CommentsSupport groups Brisbane
Hi I live in Yeronga Brisbane and am new to this network . I am looking for a bc support group to join. Does any one know which would be the closest support group to me? I had early bc 8 years ago and had a lumpectomy and radiation treatment then got on with my life thinking it was all behind me. Then in February this year I found out it had come back again and I had to have a double mastectomy. On the plus side it was caught early again and I didn’t need chemo (y th he screenings worked for me 😊 I went to the BCNA conference on the Gold Coast last weekend and found it so helpful to talk to other women about their bc journey and share some laughs. I am having lat dorsi reconstruction with implants in February next year and would love to hear others experience with this surgery and the recovery process.582ViewsSign in to react to this post10Commentsnew member Soccermum1 seeking support
Soccermum1 posted this on the Activity page I have made a new discussion so she will get some replies etc. soccermum1 Hello everyone I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer on about 15 March 2019. I have been told that it is a contained mass in the left breast and has not impacted on lympth nodes or any other parts of my body so i know how very fortunate i am. I live in a very small country town so because of the length of time I had to wait to be able to access medical attention i chose to temporarily relocate to Sydney and am currently staying with my daughter and son . In the last couple of weeks I have been able to have all the required scans, tests and biopsies required and am now under the medicale care of a lovely surgeon, oncologist and special care nurse based at Royal North Shore hospital. 2 weeks ago I started my chemotherapy. At this stage I will be having 6 treaments and then removal of the lump followed by radiation. I am also the carer for my 86 year old mother who i had to bring with me and care for everyday. My question to other members is...... how dl you cope with tne complete and utter sadness and feelings of just being so overwhelmed. My mother is too elderly and doesnt discuss it at all. Her day goes on as usual. I have 22 year old twins. My son is in the police force and although if he is off he will take me to the doctors he doesn't seem to understand why i feel so frightened and sad. He was with me when the oncologist said that my tests results were good and that she is confident that i can make a full recovery from this. My daughter works in childcare in the city and thinks its a matter of having the treatment and thrn surgery and all will be fixed. Are feelings of sadness, being totally overwhelmed and absolute terror normal or am i just being too sorry for myself. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks everyone..336ViewsSign in to react to this post9Comments31 acts of kindness for supporting someone with breast cancer
In her group, Christians diagnosed with breast cancer, @"Soldier Crab" posted a Christmas calendar of random acts of kindness. This inspired us to ask you, the members of the online network, what special little things a family member, friend, or colleague did that helped make things a little easier for you, that made you feel supported, and that brightened up your day after your diagnosis. You told us and we put it together as a resource to help family, friends, and colleagues supporting someone with breast cancer. Download it, email it, print it, share it, leave it lying around somewhere as a not-so-subtle hint ;) BIG THANKS to the following people for sharing their stories: @"wendy h", @primek, @"Michelle R", @Nadi, @adean, @socoda, @melclarity, @Afraser, @mum2jj, @ScorpionQueen, @Brenda5, @Deanne, @kayvie, @nikkid, @LibbyB, @Jane221, @rowdy, @Share, and @Ne. Click on the attachment below :smile:1.4KViewsSign in to react to this post14CommentsInfo on Paget's
Someone I know has just had a close family member diagnosed with Paget's Disease. At this stage, it appears that it is only the nipple involved but I believe that the situation is under surveillance. I don't think either my friend or the family member understand much but have the impression that they believe it will either be very local or else, given there's no obvious underlying mass, it will be Stage 4. I'm happy to provide a bit of a shoulder to lean on but I really don't know anything about this condition so wondering if anyone can give any information.174ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsBreast Cancer, Childlessness and Us
Hello, Are there women or men in these forums that find themselves with breast cancer and happen to be childless, I would like to hear from you! Time after time I read on various forums the lack of empathy childless women receive when traveling through treatment. Automatically, we are referred to, just get your family to help out there. I am wanting to know if in your particular area, are there support groups for our demographic, and in fear of repeating myself happen to make up 38% of the population. I'd really like to hear your thoughts even if you do have children, just to gain a general idea of how people feel about this subject.242ViewsSign in to react to this post5CommentsWhy be part
July 2012 late at night l joined the online network because l had breast cancer.6 years on lm still here now being reminded l was the new one once. Recently l thought its time to let go of this blogging addiction lol and say goodbye to bcna, as am l just rattling on.but going to the plan b in melbourne told me no.l saw friends l met 6 years ago at my 1st conference, l met new gals l chat to online, lt reminded me we still need to share and thats what it is. I made someones day and gave away my field of women ticket their reaction was enough for me.when my husband picked me up l had a cry, he said wtf l thought you had a good day. I did l said. Bloody women he said. Adean228ViewsSign in to react to this post5CommentsMum always knows everything!
I am newly diagnosed and dread telling my parents. They are elderly and yes it will be a shock. But....my mum knows everything and will no doubt tell me what I have done wrong, what I need to do, etc. I am dreading telling her. I know she will also be on my doorstop every day and on the phone which I don't want. How do I deal with this?879ViewsSign in to react to this post22CommentsWorth a read and Thankyou to you all.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/cancer-and-the-comfort-of-strangers-20180730-p4zuej.html308ViewsSign in to react to this post5Comments
18Views
0Comments