Friday Update - 13th May 2022
Friday Update 13th May 2022
Hello members
As mentioned in the last update, BCNA are getting back to face-to-face
forums. Join us in Ballarat Thursday 26th May as we host a
breakfast for people living with metastatic breast cancer and an information
forum for people with early breast cancer (I will share the link and other
forums to look out for in this update).
My colleague Amelia who does the monthly round-ups for you, has
also given me some insight into the topics and stories to expect the June
edition of The Beacon.
Hope you enjoy the update.
Community highlights
Popular
forum discussions
Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that
have been most active the past fortnight:
1. Waiting
game
2. Everything
seems to be wrong
3. Post surgery
Private ‘Groups’
in the Online Network
For our new members to the online network, are you aware of the private
groups available to join? https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/groups/
There are various groups that may be
applicable to your situation and where you may like to reach out to others going
through similar journeys. Simply click on the ‘join’ button and one of the
moderators will review your request (Please note: you have to be a registered
member of the online network to join groups)
Posts by ‘Category Name’ 29 April – 13 May 2022
Community News
BCNA My Journey article updates
There
have been some updates on My Journey articles 'Exercise: why, what and how?'
and ‘Tips to get started with exercise and stay motivated’ that incorporates
the information from the ‘booklet’ on our website.
BCNA News & Events – REMINDER Ballarat
Information Forum and Breakfast in two weeks!
Metastatic breast cancer breakfast
Date: Thursday 26 May 2022
Time: 7.15am for 7.30am start - 9.00am
Location: Mercure Ballarat, 613 Main Road,
Golden Point
Hear from medical oncologist Belinda Yeo on the
latest in treatment and care, and clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman on
managing the emotional challenges of living with metastatic breast
cancer.
Register yourself and a guest for the breakfast by
Wednesday 18 May via Eventbrite.
Living well with early breast cancer Information
forum
Date: Thursday 26 May
Time: 9.00am for 9.30am start - 3.45pm
Location: Mercure Ballarat, 613 Main Road, Golden Point
Hear from medical oncologist Belinda Yeo, clinical psychologist Dr
Charlotte Tottman, breast care nurses Leanne Storer and Joylene Fletcher and
more.
The forum will explore topics including the latest treatments for
early breast cancer, managing common side effects of treatment, living well
during and after treatment, and coping with the emotional impact of breast
cancer.
Register yourself and a guest for the Ballarat Information Forum by
Wednesday 18 May via Eventbrite.
Upcoming BCNA Forums
More details to come regarding final dates/venues for the below forums,
however you may like to bookmark them in your calendar:
·
Launceston
TAS – Late June 2022
·
Port
Lincoln SA – Late July 2022
BCNA News - Calling for change ahead of the 2022 federal
election
The 2022 federal election
presents an opportunity for BCNA to advocate for improvements to Australia’s healthcare
system and health policies in the interests of people diagnosed with breast
cancer. Read BCNA’s six election recommendations via link Election
Manifesto
Pink Bun Campaign Continues
Still available
until 18 May, Bakers
Delight will be donating 100 per cent from ALL Fun Bun sales to
BCNA so we can continue to support Australians affected by breast cancer. You
can read more about the campaign and the stories of Megan, Samantha and
Nicholas HERE
The Beacon - June edition
As the June
edition of The Beacon is due to be finalised soon, I have the inside
word on several topic/stories that will be included:
·
Partner
Support
Member/Expert:
we speak to two women, Cindy and Ros and their supporters to find out what they
found helped and what didn’t. Professor Jane Turner shares her tips of some of
the best ways supports can help a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer.
·
Mindfulness
Ask
the Expert Story: Professor Craig Hassed answers questions including what
mindfulness is, how people can practice mindfulness, how it enhances wellbeing,
how mindfulness could help someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer,
how to encourage people to get into mindfulness and effective techniques.
Member
Story: Iris Bar shares her own experience
with mindfulness practice after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer six
years ago.
·
Reducing the financial
and emotional burden of breast cancer
Member
story: Lisa shares her story and how she
was thousands of dollars out of pocket and didn’t feel like she had the right
information.
·
Sex
and intimacy after breast cancer
Expert
Story: Janine Porter answers
questions regarding common side effects of breast cancer treatments that may
affect sexual health, how the side effects may affect wellbeing, tips to
improve intimate relations and who you can speak to if you have concerns.
·
Busting
nutrition myths
Expert
Story: Lauren Atkins her insights on the impact of nutrition before and after a
breast cancer diagnosis and where you can seek nutritional advice, and bust
some myths surrounding sugar, low carb diets, organic food and dairy
Webcasts
Next week! – Webcast: Managing the long-term
side effects of breast cancer treatment
Tuesday 17
May 7:00pm-8:30pm (AEST),
we will hear from medical oncologist Professor Bogda Kokzwara and BCNA Consumer
Representative Naveena Nekkalapudi. Bodga is a senior staff specialist at
the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer where she developed a Survivorship
Program and is the Cancer Council SA’s Clinical Investigator for chronic
disease management after cancer. Naveena was diagnosed with early breast
cancer in 2014 and will discuss the long-term side effects she experiences, her
strategies to manage them, and her advice for others. Register for the webcast now
Ask the Expert: Managing cognitive changes
related to breast cancer treatments with Jo Lewis
Tuesday 24
May 7:00pm-8:15pm (AEST),
We we will hear
from occupational therapist Jo Lewis and BCNA member Kate Keogh Murray. Jo
has over 20 years’ clinical experience as an occupational therapist
and her clinical work specialises in workplace rehabilitation and work
health and safety. She is currently completing her PhD, investigating
how cognitive changes experienced by women with breast cancer impact on return
to work. Kate was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2017 and is currently
experiencing cognitive changes due to her breast cancer treatment and
prescription medication. Register
for the event here
Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries
The June edition of The Beacon introduces
Professor Craig Hassed, an internationally recognised mindfulness expert and 2019
Order of Australia recipient for services to medicine. He has published 14
books and also featured in documentaries such as ‘The Connection’. If you haven’t
watched ‘The Connection’ you may like to check it out https://www.theconnection.tv/
Take care and 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
Angelou