Friday Update 20 November 2020

Giovanna_BCNA

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our Friday update.  

A very warm
welcome to all of our new members who have joined the community this
month.  We hope you are settling in and
finding your way around.  Don’t forget to
check out the Community
Info tab which has
the Community guidelines and information on how to navigate the online
community.

It’s great
to see Covid-19 restrictions easing is some states across Australia and not so
great to see that South Australia has gone into lockdown.  If you have any concerns regarding Covid-19
and your cancer treatment, speak with your medical team or call the BCNA helpline
to speak with one of our experienced cancer nurses on 1800 500 258.

Community News

Each week
we have so many great posts, here are some that you may have missed…

1. Fear of recurrence commenced by @2MC

2. Sentinel Node Localisation commenced by @Blister

3. Christmas Funnies…..put them up her for a laugh funny post by @arpie

Can you believe its 5 weeks till Christmas!!!

Community Updates

PBS listing of Faslodex (fulvestrant) remains
unlikely

BCNA
was very disappointed to learn in September that drug company AstraZeneca had
pulled out of discussions with the Australian Department of Health to have
Faslodex (fulvestrant) listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Read
more

For Survivors
and Carers

The Australian Cancer Survivorship
Centre (ACSC) has developed information resources and events to help people
move from initial treatment to post treatment and beyond, including those
receiving maintenance treatments. While they do not provide clinical advice, they connect with a range of providers to enable improved care.

There has been
some recent discussion within our online community regarding fear of cancer
recurrence.  The following factsheet was developed by the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre and has some great
information.

Coping
with the fear of your cancer coming back

Upcoming
Webinar - Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI)

Monday
30 November 2020, 10.30 am AEDT

Some breast cancer treatments have menopausal like side effects, while
others, especially chemotherapy, can cause menopause to occur earlier than it
would otherwise would.  The Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), with
support from BCNA, is hosting a free webinar on early menopause associated with
breast cancer.

Speakers include:

Associate Professor Amanda Vincent, Endocrinologist

Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle, Gynaecologist & Obstetrician

Dr Kate Johnston-Ataata, Health Sociologist

BCNA Consumer Representative Tania Cercone

To
register

You may find the following BCNA book
helpful Breast
cancer and sexual wellbeing

Podcasts coming soon….

Breast
cancer, genes and family

This podcast addresses hereditary
breast cancer. For example, the inherited genetic variants (BRCA1 and BRCA2
mutations) that can occur in some families which increase the risk of breast
cancer; the importance of knowing your risk so that informed decisions can be
made; and the significant emotional, physical and social challenges involved
for those with a known gene mutation.

Men get
breast cancer too

This podcast addresses the common
misconception that breast cancer is a disease that only affects women. It
explores the importance of early detection, the impact of diagnosis and
treatment on men and the support available to them.

 

Fundraising update

Walk, Run and Have Fun for BCNA

Looking for an activity to get stuck
in to pre-Christmas? Look no further! Join our virtual community to Walk, Run
and Have Fun while raising money to support Australians impacted by breast
cancer.

From 6 to 12 December, take on your
own personal challenge to help BCNA. Whether it’s 5km, 10km, a half marathon or
even further that you tackle in a day or over the course of a week, set your
challenge, have fun and make a difference.

To find out more, sign
up here and
we’ll keep you updated with all you need to know about the event.  And if you needed any more incentive to take
part, our good friends over at Carman’s will be sending out hampers to a number
of lucky participants in recognition of your activity and fundraising!

I’m planning to set myself a challenge
and take part in this event and have posted details in our Walking Challenge
online group.   

Only 16 days to go till
the start of the challenge!

Visit
the group

 

Inspirational quote

 ‘It always
seems impossible until it’s done.’

-         
Nelson Mandela

 

Have a good
weekend everyone,

The mod
team,

Giovanna,
Laura, Riki, Michelle & Pat