Friday Update

Cosette
Cosette Member Posts: 612 ✭
edited April 2017 in Community news and events

Hello and welcome to another Friday Update.

We have a bunch of new members. Please give a warm welcome to @MaryJane, @AnonyMS, @Jade Serpentine, @CindyBella, @Jacqui64, @markent, @JaneP, @Eznsel, @Loulou1969, @Kat133, @El.mumof2, and all our new members. Let's all work together to make sure they find the information and support they're looking for.

Community highlights

Every week we have so much variety in the posts being shared on the online network.  These can include questions about treatments, updates on how things are going, and celebrating milestones. Here are some good conversations you might have missed: Don't forget to check your groups! 

World Health Day


World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, provides us with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

The theme of 2017 World Health Day campaign is depression.

Depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. It causes mental anguish and impacts on people’s ability to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks, with sometimes devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends and the ability to earn a living. At worst, depression can lead to suicide, now the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year olds.

Yet, depression can be prevented and treated. A better understanding of what depression is, and how it can be prevented and treated, will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition, and lead to more people seeking help.

Stress, anxiety, sadness and anger are common feelings following a breast cancer diagnosis. However, if these feelings are intense or continue for a long time, or if you’re struggling to function from day to day, you may be experiencing anxiety or depression. This fact sheet, developed by BCNA and beyondblue, explains the links between anxiety, depression and breast cancer, the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, current treatments and how to help yourself or someone close to you. 

If you are experiencing emotional concerns and you think that you would benefit from some professional ongoing support, you can speak to your GP about whether a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan might be appropriate for you. This fact sheet includes more information about a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, and some commonly asked question about it. 

Additionally, BCNA provides professional one-on-one counselling support to women and men with metastatic breast cancer, and their families. This free and confidential service aims to help people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and their family members. For more information or to book, please visit this webpage.

News and events

Held in rural, regional and metropolitan locations around Australia, our Information Forums are free events for people diagnosed with breast cancer, and their partners, family and supporters. Our next forum is in Cairns on Wednesday, 26 April 2017. There will be a pre-forum breakfast for people with metastatic breast cancer. For more information and to register, please click here.

We have developed a new information page on our website about neoadjuvant (before surgery) chemotherapy. It includes a link to a decision aid that has been developed to help you make decisions about whether neoadjuvant treatment is right for you. Check it out here.

Some interesting stories in the media:
https://instagram.com/p/BRsLW9NDUHS/embed/

Are you on social media? Take the BCNA pledge.
  1. Write a heartfelt pledge on a piece of Reflex paper
  2. Take a photo holding your pledge
  3. Post it to your preferred social media account/s using the hashtag #bcnapledge

Our friends and partners

Our work is made possible by the generous support of our partners and community (that's you!). So, I'm going to do some shameless plugs.

@Cate64 is putting together a BCNA team of walkers and runners to participate in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival in September. Join her and, if you can't join her, lend your support.


BCNA is partnering again with the AFL and the Melbourne Football Club for the Pink Lady Match. We're going to turn the MCG pink and bring families together to pay tribute to Australians affected by breast cancer and to those loved ones who have lost their life to the disease.

The match will be held on Sunday 7 May at 3:20 pm when the Melbourne Football Club will take on traditional rivals, Hawthorn. Regardless of which footy team you barrack for, you can support BCNA by purchasing a general admission ticket to the game, coming along and sitting in our dedicated Pink Lady Bays, or alternatively purchasing a ticket to the Pink Lady Match Exquisite High Tea held in the Harrison Room at the MCG on the day. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

Mother's Day is 14 May. Instead of flowers and chocolates this Mother's Day (or maybe in addition to), honour your mum with the gift of care and support to all Australians affected by breast cancer.

Your donation to BCNA goes towards: 
  • providing newly diagnosed women and men with the free My Journey Kit, My Care Kit, and Hope & Hurdles
  • our phone helpline and telephone counselling service
  • the online network
  • training volunteers like Community Liaisons and Consumer Representatives to provide support to others and be heard by the media, policy makers and health providers
  • Advocacy like our work to get palbociclib in Australia and on the PBS. Have you signed the petition?
Every little bit helps. Donate here.


via @Tracey B

Have a pleasant weekend!

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