March content round-up

Hi members,

My name is Amelia and I work in the Member Content and Engagement team at BCNA. At the end of each month, I will do a round-up of all the podcasts, events and resources we have launched so you all have them in the one place.

If you have any feedback on the content or have any ideas of topics you’d like covered, please feel free to always send me an email acox@bcna.org.au.

Enjoy!

Thank you,

Amelia

Podcast:

In conversation with Shannane and Kate: Under 40 and living with breast cancer

Joining us for this In Conversation episode is Shananne and Kate. Kate was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer when she was 26 years old and 28 weeks pregnant. Shananne was diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancer in 2018 when she was 37 years old and pregnant with her third child.

During this candid conversation between Shananne and Kate we’ll hear about their reaction on being told they had breast cancer, the treatment they received, the challenges they faced and continue to face, coping strategies they used and advice they have for other young women.

Listen here.

LGBTIQ+ experiences of cancer and cancer care:

Joining us for this episode of Upfront is Jane Ussher and Natalie Halse. Jane is a Professor of Women’s Health Psychology in the Translations Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University and is the lead researcher in the recent ‘Out with Cancer’ Study. Natalie is a registered nurse and a BCNA consumer representative with lived breast cancer experience of a LGBTIQ+ person.

We hear about some of the key findings of the ‘Out with Cancer’ study and its key learnings, discuss disclosure including how to do it safely, the positive benefits, and why some people are reluctant and discover what to do if you experience a negative reaction from a health care professional and the support available.

Listen here.

Through a rainbow lens – Navigating breast cancer as an LGBTIQ+ couple:

Joining us for this episode is Mel Krollig and her partner Riki Owens-Bennett. Mel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 36 and has had fertility treatment, a single mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Riki works as a community worker for the LGBTIQ+ communities in South Australia and has been by Mel’s side during her breast cancer journey. Riki and Mel have been together for 19 years, and despite a few COVID-19 related delays, married in 2021 in a celebration surrounded by family and friends.

We’ll hear about Mel’s experience of breast cancer, how Riki supported her, the challenges the couple faced together and how they navigated the system as a LGBTIQ+ couple.

Listen here.

Webcast:

Just diagnosed in 2022, what’s next?

In this webcast, we heard from specialist breast cancer surgeon Mr Sunil (Sunny) Jassal, breast care nurse Meg McDonald and BCNA Consumer Faye Louey. Sunny is a director and founding member of Melbourne Breast and Endocrine Surgeons and works with leading radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and plastic surgeons. Meg works at Melbourne Breast and Endocrine Surgeons where she is an integral part of the breast cancer care team. Faye was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2019 and discussed how she took control of her diagnosis after the initial shock. 

Watch here.

New resources:

BCNA is thrilled to have launched new content to support First Peoples women and people from LGBTIQ+ communities who are diagnosed with breast cancer. 

These two projects, undertaken with support from Cancer Australia, have enabled BCNA to expand our resources for people from these marginalised groups to help them feel empowered to make decisions about their treatment and care and to help them through their breast cancer journey.  

The information was developed with significant input from consumers through BCNA’s First Peoples Advisory Group and LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group. 

Read more about the new LGBTIQ+ and First Peoples resources via the BCNA website.