Community News
Pink Lady Match - More than a Game
The power of connection was on full display last Saturday night at the MCG with almost 30,000 fans attending to support Melbourne Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club in the 2024 Pink Lady Match, thanks to our major partner Red Energy.Our Mini-Field of Women tribute outside the ground and light up display from partners Opal ANZ and Red Energy, welcomed fans to the ground before filling the Pink Lady Bays with a sea of pink beanies, scarves and ponchos.
BCNA is thrilled to announce that over $165,000 was raised from PLAY4BCNA beanie sales and Virtual Pink Lady donations which will ensure BCNA can continue to provide vital support for the more than 20,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Check out the short video captured of the day https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/wYbO3ZsXF7
Did you know that BCNA advocates to reduce the cost of new breast cancer drugs?
In the last three years we have supported over 15 submissions to campaign for these expensive breast cancer drugs to be put on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) so that they are more affordable
In April we welcomed a decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to recommend the life prolonging breast cancer drug Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for government subsidy on the PBS for HER2-low metastatic breast cancer.
Lynparza (olaparib) has recently been listed on the PBS for HER-2 negative early breast cancer with a confirmed BRCA mutation. Last year, BCNA advocated strongly for Lynparza’s subsidy as an important treatment option to help reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back after treatment for people who are at especially high risk of recurrence.
BCNA remains committed to advocating for Lynparza’s subsidy for metastatic breast cancer patients.
If you need support navigating your breast cancer treatment, call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.
BCNA Podcast: What you Don't Know Until You Do UNLIMITED - "No" is a sentence (Boundary setting) EP8
After a cancer diagnosis and treatment, you often discover you are not able to operate at the same level as you did pre-cancer - physically, cognitively, or emotionally.
In episode 8 of Upfront – What You Don’t Know Until You Do: Unlimited, Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman explains the importance of boundary setting in self-care, particularly in relation to the challenges in continuing to care for loved ones while navigating a cancer experience, and the role of guilt in this.
We learn about how to identify your limits and act on them, communicate to others and ourselves, and how to identify alternative helpful activities and prioritise them Listen Here
Providing the consumer voice in breast cancer research
BCNA again celebrates the important role trained Consumer Representatives (CRs) play in ensuring the consumer voice is included in breast cancer research.CR Kathy Bell contributed to the study: Pioneering lower-dose combination treatments for breast cancer, one of 19 breast cancer research projects to receive a National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) research grant.
The study led by Associate Professor Lan Nguyen at Monash University will use an innovative approach to address the challenges posed by breast cancers resistant to PI3K targeting drugs.
If you have a lived experience of breast cancer and would like to take part in studies and projects that aim to improve outcomes for others diagnosed, we invite you to join Review and Survey Group via the form below.
You can find out more about the study and join the Review and Survey Group via the link Join the Review & Survey Group
BCNA information for First Peoples
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in First Nations’ women.
We have a private group right here through the Online Network First Peoples
You can also visit Cancer Australia’s Our Mob and Cancer for information and resources for First Peoples diagnosed with cancer.
BCNA Forums/Webcasts
Where can you watch BCNA Forums?
This year BCNA have held forums in South Australia (Murray Bridge), Tasmania (Devonport/Hobart) and Victoria (Shepparton). If you would like to find out more about the content presented in our forums, you can head to our YouTube Playlist to watch various location recordings:https://www.youtube.com/@BCNetworkAustralia/playlists
Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries
Women from First Peoples communities across Australia talk about why it’s important to look to your community, including friends and family, for strength and connection and how speaking to others who have had similar experiences can help you.
We recommend you take care when watching this video as some people may find the content upsetting. The people featured in this video are sharing their own unscripted personal stories. This is not intended to replace medical or professional advice.
This video was made with support from Cancer Australia through the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed With Breast Cancer program. Published in 2022.
https://youtu.be/1d5ShdMSS8EEnjoy and if you have any feedback please feel free to comment below or send a private message. The Mod Team - @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA @Daina-BCNA @Kate_BCNA @Denise_BCNA @Risha_BCNA
If you wish to speak with the Helpline team regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm (AEST), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au
"We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home." - Australian Aboriginal Proverb