Friday update 22 October 2021

Mez_BCNA

Friday update 22 October 2021

Hello members,

It is a nice welcome today for Victorians as the lockdown restrictions lift today - Enjoy your greater freedoms!

BCNA continue their October breast cancer awareness campaign, highlighting issues that impact those diagnosed and advocate to drive change. Thankyou to all of our members who have shared their stories, resources and support.

Community highlights

Reminder Private Groups

Given that in October we have had ‘Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day’ and ‘Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day’, I wanted to remind members of the Online Network’s private groups if you are seeking greater peer-to-peer support:

Living with metastatic breast cancer

men living with breast cancer

 

Popular forum discussions

Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have received the most comments:

1. Friday Funnies These funny posts are welcome any day really – bringing something light hearted to the forum

 credit @ChezaH

2. COVID booster shots

3. Night Howlers - Jump on to chat if you are awake

4. Has anyone taken 'Before' and 'After' pics?

 

Community News

BCNA NEWS 13 Oct 2021 -  When an Employee Needs Leave for Cancer Treatment

‘Don’t come back’ were the words Liz Tapping heard when she asked if she could take leave from her job to receive treatment for breast cancer. Her employer of 5 years sacked her on the spot. A recent ruling in the Federal Circuit Court found this action contravened the Fair Work Act.

CLICK HERE to read full details of Liz’s story and also access BCNA resources to educate and support employees.

Cancer Australia  - The Impact of COVID-19 on cancer-related medical services and procedures in Australia in 2020

Cancer Australia today released a new report, The impact of COVID-19 on cancer-related medical services and procedures in Australia in 2020: Examination of MBS claims data for 2020, nationally and by jurisdiction, which shows an overall sustained reduction in cancer services in 2020. BCNA has also been working with Cancer Australia, providing consumer insight and feedback into the development of communications about the COVID-19 vaccine roll out and the impact on those with a diagnosis of breast cancer. You can find frequently asked questions in BCNA’s My Journey  and on the Cancer Australia website. If you have any information that you’d like to share about how COVID-19 has been impacting your patients, please email the Policy Team on [email protected].  

 

“Don’t Delay and just hope it’ll go away.” – Male Breast Cancer Awareness

Perth Channel 7 news featured Pieter and highlighted Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day in a fantastic segment.

Pieter's full story is available to watch on our IGTV on Instagram.

Head over to https://www.instagram.com/bcnapinklady/ to view his story and more.

 

“There is also a lot of misunderstanding about metastatic breast cancer and what this means in terms of your treatment and survival.” – Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness

Mother-of-three Andrea Smith knows she will lose her life to an incurable form of breast cancer. But she is determined to help other sufferers while she can. Read Andrea’s story CLICK HERE

 

The Pink Bra Project Continues

This breast cancer awareness month show your support for those affected by breast cancer and the people around them. $10 from every Pink Bra sale from Berlei's Pink Bra collection will go to BCNA. Hear BCNA member’s stories and ambassadors Stuart Diver, Aunty Pam, Raeleen Boyle and Sophie Conway https://www.berlei.com.au/pink-bra-project

 

Webcasts and conferences you may have missed

Breast Reconstruction Options and Expectations The virtual conference recording is now available to view on demand. Frequently asked/mentioned topics of the three-hour event were:

·        Access to resources

·        Should you have radiation before or after an implant

·        The impact of COVID-19 on wait times

·        Breast implant illness

·        Breast cancer recurrence after a reconstruction

·        Discussions around the option of not having a reconstruction

Metastatic Breast Cancer -Thriving together- Living Longer, Living Stronger The virtual conference recording is now available to view on demand. Frequently asked/mentioned topics of the three-hour event were:

·        How to manage resistance treatment with hormone blocking therapies

·        Immunotherapies and triple negative breast cancer

·        How to reduce the risk of fractures from bone metastasises

·        New drugs that enhance the action of chemotherapy in the cell

·        Uncertainty and fear of what might happen in the future

·        Support groups are a really important way to connect with others and reduce feelings isolation 

 

Upfront About Breast Cancer Podcast
Have you checked out our new 10-part podcast series, Upfront About Breast Cancer - What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman?

Each episode explores Charlotte’s lived experience, provides explanations of psychological triggers and responses and practical strategies that may help you or someone you know on their breast cancer journey. All episodes are available to stream now across all podcast platforms.
To listen visit https://bit.ly/3oD0S0C

 

BCNA Member Support Team & Online Network Moderators - Introductions

This week I am pleased to introduce you to Anna Wilson from our Member Support Team:

Anna joined BCNA In 2012, after a friend told her there was a position available on the helpline. Originally a primary teacher and with three young kids, she decided to take a leap and move into this space. While Anna knew little about BCNA’s role, from the moment she started her role she loved it!  Anna felt like she could really make a difference being part of the organisation and found many ways to contribute both on the helpline and then in the fundraising and the sponsorship team.

Anna loves to hear the stories of the people who call the helpline and see how BCNA can really make a difference. She loves her colleagues at BCNA and enjoys collaborating with them each day “They are all so professional, knowledgeable and they care deeply for all those women, men and their families who are experiencing breast cancer”.

Outside of work, Anna loves gardening and especially loves spring. Her two helpers Maggie and Billy are never far away!

Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries

Have you seen the My Journey article about ‘The Library’? 

https://myjourney.org.au/article/3497

The Library provides names of some books you might find helpful or interesting to read.

Books in the 'about breast cancer and DCIS' and 'live well' sections have been reviewed by BCNA staff and are recommended as reliable information. Personal stories have not always been reviewed by BCNA, but may have been recommended to us by others diagnosed with breast cancer or sent to us by the author (often a BCNA member).

If there is a book you would like to suggest for this list, please email us at [email protected] or post here in the discussion and I will pass on.

Hope you enjoy this update and I always welcome feedback. 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 [email protected] (We will be back on deck Monday).

Take care,

The mod team – Mez, Carissa, Jenny, Anna, Pat & Michelle

"Awareness is all about restoring your freedom to choose what you want instead of what your past imposes on you" - Deepak Chopra

Afraser

@Mez_BCNA
The link to Liz Tapping’s story may not be working as I can’t open it. Many thanks 

Mez_BCNA

Oh thanks @Afraser I May need to hire you as my proofreader. Hopefully fixed now

Afraser

Many thanks, all good - the link I mean, not the story. It’s appalling. I ended up taking practically no time off, but not because I had to face that sort of behaviour. My boss at the time could not have been more supportive. 

arpie

Here you go .... another 'look at it' from a different news source too (from before the judgement) .... pretty shocking in this day & age!! So sorry to read she now has Mets too   

https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/diamond-retailer-allegedly-sacks-sales-representative-for-being-diagnosed-with-cancer/news-story/cda7a4212f3793c815a069379399a647

Mez_BCNA

Unfortunately we have heard similar stories through the member support helpline calls @Afraser @arpie. The Policy & Advocacy team hope that Liz's story and others like hers will encourage employers to access the right information to support their employees with breast cancer.  If you are interested, you can also listen to Liz on the ABC radio https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/mornings/liz-tapping-cancer-employer-settlement/13583312

Afraser

I spent some time a few years ago providing information to a woman who was being bullied into resigning from her job (public service, but not in my area). She had metastatic breast cancer, had two medical certificates that she was definitely able to work, at her job, desperately wanted to work (for financial and self esteem reasons) and was being pushed around by a younger, male manager who ‘just didn’t like the idea’. I sent her a lot of BCNA material and finally she got some support from her Union, but it was pretty horrible. 

Kristen

Lymphoedema Support Group of NSW information days have been invaluable information for me since I went to my first one in 2015 (I think that was my first,I been to a few ) After being diagnosed with secondary arm lymphoedema since 2010 due to breast cancer /masectomy/lymph node dissection in 2007.
Learning about what it is and why its important to keep the swelling down helps motivate me to stay on top of it,but it has taken many years to learn tips, tricks, methods, products etc fill my 'toolbox' of knowledge to be able keep the swelling down.Its a daily challenge and different things work for different people,so it's not simple to treat and manage. Could not do that without lots of information.

It really 'gets my goat' when I meet people with large limbs who weren't diagnosed early,and who often are then told nothing about how and why to look after this chronic condition.Even many mainstream specialists and GPs and physio are not always aware of the new methods of treatments.I have meet people who been told nothing they can do about it ! SO WRONG!!!!!
It breaks my heart to meet and see people become physically impaired,mobility challenged,depressed,getting dangerous infections and financial challenged due to excessive lymphoedema swelling from poor information and support.
Fellow lymphies spread the word.We have to encourage each other to keep being proactive in learning how to monitor and manage our swelling.No matter what the cause of the lymphoedmea,or the part of our body that is effected.

This conference will be great for anyone who has lymphoedema and now it's virtual this year, anyone can attend from the comfort of home.

FYI. It is a live virtual event,and a recording will not be made available for viewing after the event.

Sat 6th Nov 2021 9.45-2pm
Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
Short breaks ,including a 30 min lunch break have been scheduled.
Program may be subject to change without notice.

See the Lymphoedema Support Group of NSW webpage,their Facebook page and the Eventbrite page for more information and to book tickets.

www.lymphoedemasupport.com

#lymphoedema

#BCRL