Forum Discussion

Christina_BCNA's avatar
Christina_BCNA
Community Manager
22 days ago

We’re here for you❤️

We’re here for you this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and every month after. Our Helpline team is available on 1800 500 258 Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm to take your calls and provide information and support. 

BCAM can be an overwhelming time for those affected by breast cancer, but BCNA has resources to support you during this time: 
BCNA’s Online Network- Share stories, ask for advice and offer support in our online community https://www.bcna.org.au/online-network/  

My Journey- personalised information and tools to support you including our new notes feature to keep track of questions for your healthcare team, appointments and medications https://www.bcna.org.au/my-journey/   

Information and resources hub- articles, stories, videos and podcasts https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/ 

For more information visit our website https://www.bcna.org.au/ 

awareness
support

6 Replies

  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    18 days ago

    Thanks arpie. Sadly I was one of those early breast cancer patients who had clear margins and no lymph involvement. I was told I would get to old age but 3 yrs later Metastatic Breast Cancer.  We all need hope and many early breast cancer stories are very very successful but we need honesty about the facts with mets and how many get this disease. Agree arpie about the research too. It impacts at least 24000 of us living with mets and it impacts all our families and friends too.

  • kittykatster's avatar
    kittykatster
    Member
    19 days ago

    You are all amazing - only just had my DCIS diagnosis a week ago and the fact it's now Breast Cancer awareness month...well I have a fully new appreciation for it. Truly deeply moved by this network already and the amazing posts and shares. I will also be at the Sydney SCG Cricket test in January and the Pink test and Mcgrath Foundation will be even more special to me. 💗

  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    21 days ago

    Thanks. All the pink when you have mets can be difficult. For my fellow mets people, let's all take great care of ourselves during this month in particular.  

    There are things you can do like silence socials if you need to do that. 

    While the pink story is good and raises lots of money for charities that help all bc patients, mbc still accounts for about 1/3 of all bc.   Breast cancer month should reflect that story/mets reality and perhaps support more mbc during October. 

    • arpie's avatar
      arpie
      Member
      18 days ago

      Agree 100% Cath62​ ... take care buddy xx

      With up to 30% of us going on to develop Mets (and let's be honest here - they still don't know who will progress to Stage 4 - or why!) 

      Even those with early stage BC with no node involvement and good surgery results may still progress to Stage 4 ... sometimes within a few years of the original diagnosis & treatment and 'NED'.

      I'd like to know what percentage of funds raised during all the pink activities (buns, walks, cricket matches etc) specifically goes towards better outcomes for those diagnosed with Mets and what causes the progression?

      Better still - make sure that a specific portion of the funds is USED to FIND that unknown link!

      PLEASE .... can BCNA advocate strongly for this??

      I (and others) would dearly like to see that funds are directed towards those who've had early stage BC with good results from surgery and/or radiation & tablets who then GO ON to develop Mets (for no known reason.)
      Their first pathology slides should be pulled & studied against the new Mets slides - to try & work out WHAT TRIGGERED THE PROGRESSION!! 

      It should be AUTOMATIC that these early slides be pulled out for further investigation (in ANY Cancer that has progressed to Stage 4!)

      I am SURE there would be medical researchers out there, who would give their eye teeth to get in on the ground floor & help discover that unknown link that suddenly triggers NED to become Stage 4.

      As Sadly, a Mets diagnosis can happen to any one of us.  

    • iserbrown's avatar
      iserbrown
      Member
      21 days ago

      Hi Cath62 

      Agree the pink wash is overwhelming!  

      Mets is hard enough- awareness is needed!

      I have a young sister Mets, not BC, but Cancer regardless!  She is extremely sensitive to the discussions around Mets 

      Take care

      Sending you a virtual hug ⚘️