Friday Update - 11th February 2022
Friday Update 11th February 2022
Hello members
February is upon us and BCNA have some great content coming up this
month, including an ‘Ask the Expert’ interactive Zoom session (More details are
in this update below). A quick reminder that
Carman’s Fun Run is happening on the 20th Feb https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/events/carmans-fun-run/
for those of you who are interested.
Community highlights
January
Online Network activity
January saw the Online Network receive a total number of 13,403
visitors to the community: 86 discussions and 829 comments. The
‘Choosing breast reconstruction’ private group had a lot of activity this month
with 10 new discussions (If you are looking to interact with other members of
this group head to https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction
to join).
Popular
forum discussions
Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that
have been most active the past fortnight:
2. Sentinel lymph nodes removed - Chemo & Radiation
treatment
3. What 'new hobby' did you take up after your
diagnosis/treatments?
4. Breast Cancer Trials Q&A with Annabel Crabb -
Metastatic Breast Cancer. Feb 7, 2022
Community News
BCNA COVID-19 News – 9th
February 2022
BCNA continues to bring together the latest information
about COVID-19 and breast cancer to guide you through the issues and help
answer any questions you might have.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself,
it can also reduce your risk of severe illness if you contract COVID-19 and can
reduce the likelihood of spreading it to others. We also recommend you follow
advice on social-distancing, mask wearing, and handwashing.
If you test positive for COVID-19 whilst receiving
treatment for breast cancer, it is important to know that decision making about
your care will be made with you. These decisions will be based on whether your
COVID-19 symptoms are mild or severe, what your vaccine status is, the type of
cancer treatment you are receiving, the stage and type of your cancer, and any
underlying health conditions you may have. It’s important you also keep
your treating team informed about any symptoms.
You can find information and further resources on
BCNA’s My Journey: https://bit.ly/3HBho7U; You can also
contact BCNA’s helpline on 1800 500 258.
BCNA Pink Sports Day 2022
Calling all sporting clubs,
schools and associations to register now to host a Pink Sports Day in 2022. All
sports can get involved and pink up to help support Australians affected by
breast cancer. It's fun, it's free and it's a great way to bring everyone back
together again this season, Register today: https://bit.ly/3LbBHuO
Cancer Mind Care
This
project is a collaboration between Western & Central Melbourne Integrated
Cancer Service (WCMICS), the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Gippsland
Regional Integrated Cancer Service (GRICS). The Cancer Mind Care
self-help online platform was developed and launched in 2021. It provides
Australia’s first ‘one-stop-shop’ for tailored mental health support for people
with cancer, their support persons, clinicians and First Nations peoples https://cancermindcare.org.au/
ABC Life Matters
with Hilary Harper, Michael Mackenzie
We hear a lot from our consumers about delays in breast
reconstruction and this podcast provides a glimpse into the wider context of
what’s happening in the health systems. The ongoing impact of
the pandemic has meant many Australians have faced lengthy wait times for
elective surgery, but with surgeries resuming in some capacity in NSW and
Victoria from February 7, what effect has the delay had on patients' health
outcomes? Check out the ABC Podcast The price of pausing elective surgery
Webcast / Interactive Digital Event
Ask the Expert: Triple Negative Early Breast
Cancer with Dr Nick Zdenkowski -REGISTER NOW!
Join BCNA on Thursday 17 February Time:
6.00 – 7.00 pm (AEDT) to explore what triple negative early breast
cancer is including the different subtypes, the current treatments available
and the key outcomes including risk of recurrence, genetic testing,
implications and how to access clinical research trials. Register
Here via the link and Please share your questions
prior to the event via the question box on the registration page, email events@bcna.org.au or during the evening via the discussion box on your
screen.
Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries
The Complete
Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control
Many members have recommended and discussed this book that BCNA
have listed in My Journey Library. I thought it would be a good one to mention
again for our newer members. Authors Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, an academic
GP, and Dr Liz O’Riordan, a Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon, are not only
outstanding doctors, but they have also experienced breast cancer first-hand. Packed
full of all the things the authors wished they’d known when they were
diagnosed, and tips on how to cope with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and
beyond, this is the only book you need to read to guide you through your breast
cancer diagnosis.
Hope you find the information in this week's
update useful and in the meantime, if
you have feedback or any concerns while online, please contact one of the
moderators -
@Jenny_BCNA @Carissa_BCNA @Anna_BCNA
@Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA
If you need to
speak with someone regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258
alternatively, you can email contact@bcna.org.au
Take care,
The mod team – Mez, Carissa,
Jenny, Anna & Pat
walk. We will enjoy our walk without thinking of arriving anywhere.” – Thich Nhat Hanh