BCNA's State of the Nation Report launched today

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  • traveltext
    traveltext Member Posts: 253
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    Thanks @Harlee

    This article:

    https://womhealth.org.au/conditions-and-treatments/study-finds-exercise-reduces-breast-cancer-recurrence

    states:

    There are currently no clear indications of whether weight loss or the prevention of further weight gain helps prevent breast cancer recurrence, but a number of studies investigating this are currently underway.

    and this article:

    https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/most-important-factors-to-reduce-recurrence-risk

    which looked at the results from 67 studies on lifestyle factors and breast cancer recurrence. Overall, the researchers found that exercise had the most potential to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve survival -- exercise reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer by about 40%.

    This article:

    http://www.cmaj.ca/content/189/7/E268.full?sid=0beff45f-b9da-4256-bda1-2a5819a11112

    concludes:

    However, in a patient-level meta-analysis of randomized adjuvant studies, increased breast cancer mortality was observed only in the subgroup of heavier premenopausal women with estrogen-receptor–positive breast cancer.

    One might then hypothesize that overweight patients who lose weight after a breast cancer diagnosis would have a better outcome. Although multiple studies have shown that weight loss, at least in the short term, is achievable in breast cancer survivors through a variety of strategies, there are few data on long-term outcomes.

    The fourth article:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4622557/

    concludes:

    Large randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine whether exercise can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors.

  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,552
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    Thanks @traveltext

    It is an emotive topic!!  The inference is the problem that has hit the raw nerve!  No mention of DNA in these conclusions, or the typical age group, time of life et cetera - I don't recall being asked at the time of diagnosis well how much exercise do you do?

    Take care
  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,502
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    @Traveltext thank you, yes I've seen these articles also...


    @Harlee and the truth of it is??? if you read the data on exercise it is the by product, they say its to do with weight, the more overweight you are post treatment the higher risk of recurrence. So exercise is important period for any human being, no particular disease. My thing is Society needs to stop talking about exercise and people killing themselves thinking it will change an outcome of Breast Cancer when I have lost so many to this disease its not funny and exercise wasnt a factor...that is what is damaging. 

    I actually just caught up with a close friend who just lost her Sergeant to Cancer he was 50....EXTREMELY FIT INDIVIDUAL as a Trainer in the Police Force....they are at a loss and exercise did not reduce his risk of getting it either....stats mean zero....anyone who has been on this path long enough knows that...
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,552
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    As I  said earlier a raw nerve. I have lost an Aunt a dear neighbour and a friend's daughter due to recurrence.

    Their families would be disappointed if they thought they were seen as stats based on diet and exercise. 





  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,502
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    After all my contributions I have to say I have nothing more to say....unfortunately people will believe it all until it happens to them. Does Society honestly think all of us who have had a recurrence or Metastatic breast cancer don't beat ourselves up for what could have been different? what we could have done to avoid?? @Harlee mine couldnt even be stopped by aggressive treatment in 2011, so I ask you seriously how on earth do you think that killing myself with exercise after that reduced anything? my BMI was great I was healthy. Aaaah that's right I was one of the unlucky ones..one of the small % is it. I think youd be surprised as @traveltext talked of the studies. I was told by a panel of Specialists in rehab the same thing! 

    I exercise to be happy I love being active!!! lets be clear! Great job BCNA moderators, your lack of presence has been noted. 

    To all the wonderful members who have shared selflessly for others benefits not their own and not regurgitated what theyve read, thank you! It helped me to give back when I never had support through 2 diagnosis, I never wanted anyone to go through it alone the way I did. Best of luck to you all..above all else stay happy whatever that looks like to you. x
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited June 2018
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    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,552
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    @melclarity
    Your last paragraph above suggests you are saying Ooroo!  I hope that is only for a short break as your input is greatly appreciated by me and I am sure others!

    I understand the hurt you feel on this topic!  Reminds me of a discussion post a couple of months back, similar result - a lack of understanding of differing views and someone like you who is deeply affected by recurrence

    Take care, Hugs x
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,552
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    Check
  • Marianne_BCNA
    Marianne_BCNA Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2018
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    Hi everyone, I know some of you have been expecting a response from BCNA. We have had internal discussions regarding this thread and we have decided not to add anything further to this post.  We are particularly mindful of the importance of providing a safe and trusted place for newly diagnosed women who come to the forum feeling vulnerable and seeking support.  We therefore ask that if you wish to discuss further the approach we are taking in regards to the benefit of exercise and risk of recurrence to please contact our CEO Kirsten at kpilatti@bcna.org.au or Danielle Spence, Director, Advocacy, Policy and Programs at dspence@bcna.org.au. We are always open to our members feedback.
    Hope you all have a great weekend
    Cheers
    Marianne
  • traveltext
    traveltext Member Posts: 253
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    I don't read anything in this thread that requires the mods to step in apart from suggesting that a new thread be initiated with a title such as Exercise and Recurrence. Then the discussion would be under an appropriate heading, likely inviting more people to comment. It's too bad to flame what was a topic started about the important BCNA launch of State of the Nation, although I do understand discussions get started and before long they are several pages long.

  • JJ70
    JJ70 Member Posts: 983
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    I have been following this thread about exercise and recurrence and do not wish to add to it, because I do not have the information or knowledge that links these two things.
    I DO KNOW as stated by everyone here, that exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle in so many varied ways. Obviously the physical, but also mental health, particularly depression.  There are even studies to show that 30 mins of cardiovascular exercise that ups your heart rate can reduce your chances of developing dementia.
    So many benefits to exercising!  Perhaps we can all just agree upon that and integrate as much exercise into our daily lives as possible, for all round better health and well being and healthy BMI range.
    So considering all, exercise is something every single person should be doing regularly, whether they have had cancer or not. 
    (Yes, I know this is not the specific issue you have been debating here!) 
  • JJ70
    JJ70 Member Posts: 983
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    Back to The State of the Nation launch - if we can? I read the whole report and I have to say, I LOVE IT! I love it because it is so obviously from the hearts and souls of BC fighters and their families. It has been put together so well, organised, easy to read and sectioned beautifully. I will go back and read it again, section by section, slowly and really absorb what BC fighters are saying across our country and what BCNA intend to do to try and improve Australian's experiences with this disease.
    I think the document is really quite thorough, but I do feel at least one thing has been missed. There is a lot of evidence from BreastScreen Australia that the invitation age for active screening of the population should be lowered to 45. I know it is free from 40, but this is not advertised and the majority of women in this age group do not know or do not think it is relevant because the '50' number is on all advertising. The mortality benefit of screening 45-49 yr olds is 30%!! That is second only to 60-64 year olds (37%) Breast density changes often around this age too and mammograms become more effective. Approximately 20% of all BC's are also found in women in their 40's (this is also a FALSE LOW if we consider women attending their first mammogram at 50-51 and finding they have BC - these stats go into the 50+ age group when these cancers were establishing and growing in their late 40's )
    The problem with the data sets in this age group is that false positive and breast density data (which are two reasons to negate population mammography screening) has been collected from a 40-49 yr age range, so this information skews results away from 45-49 yr old information. If this data exists, I can't find it. 

    We all want early detection for best chances of survival. This is a big part of The State of the Nation Report. I feel there is a HUGE hole that women 45-49 are falling in to. Having a mammogram at 50, is too late for too many Australian women.
  • PatsyN
    PatsyN Member Posts: 296
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    Aggie said:

    Hey @Kirsten_BCNA, my oncologist said my BC was due to 'bad luck.'  According to you, if I get a recurrence I may be to blame.  Guess it depends what side of the desk you sit on, 'real life' vs 'ivory tower'.

    My oncologist said my breast cancer was a direct result of the passive smoking I endured (like everyone of the era and my 11 brothers and sisters) as a child. He looked into my eyes and said that my family had caused this.
  • traveltext
    traveltext Member Posts: 253
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    That sounds like a load of bull @PatsyN. Perhaps lung cancer, but not breast cancer. Do you believe him/her?