🌏Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially when English isn't your first language. TIS National is a government-funded interpreting service that helps people who are not confident speaking English communicate with healthcare providers, government services, and other organisations. Interpreters are available in hundreds of languages, helping people access information and services more confidently and independently. When attending medical appointments, understanding treatment options and asking questions is incredibly important. If language is a barrier, you have the right to ask whether an interpreter can be arranged. Professional interpreters can help ensure you receive clear and accurate information about your care. 📞 TIS National: 13 14 50 🔗 Learn more: https://www.tisnational.gov.au/ 💬 We'd love to hear from you: Have you used an interpreter during your cancer experience? What helped you feel more informed, supported, and confident when communicating with your healthcare team? As always, please only share what you're comfortable sharing, Together, we are stronger. 💗🌏 Resource Spotlight: Chinese Cancer and Chronic Illness Society of Victoria (CCCIS)
We'd like to share a resource that may be helpful for Chinese members of our CALD community. The Chinese Cancer and Chronic Illness Society of Victoria (CCCIS) provides culturally and linguistically appropriate support for Chinese Australians affected by cancer and other chronic illnesses, along with their families and carers. Services include support groups, family support, community education, wellbeing activities, and practical assistance. For many people, being able to access support in their preferred language and connect with others who understand their cultural background can make a significant difference during a cancer journey. 🔗 Learn more: https://cccis.org.au/ 💬 We'd love to hear from you: Have you found a culturally specific service, support group, or resource that helped you during your breast cancer experience? As always, please only share what you're comfortable sharing. 💕🌏 Together, we are stronger. 💗
We want to hear from you to improve our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is on a journey to better understand and serve everyone affected by breast cancer in this country – and we know we have more work to do. We heard through our Member Experience Survey that we were not doing enough to reach some populations and communities – and when we did, the experience of these people in accessing our information and support didn’t always feel culturally relevant and inclusive. Right now, we are developing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy. This strategy will shape how we design our services, how we communicate, who we reach, and how we show up for our members. We know that this strategy must be designed with the voices of diverse lived experience. That is why we are inviting you to take part in a consumer consultation session. These sessions are being facilitated by MindTribes, a specialist diversity and inclusion consultancy with deep experience working with culturally diverse, First Nations, LGBTIQ+, and other communities navigating complex health systems. We recognise that many people hold multiple identities and experiences. You are welcome to express your interest in participating in more than one consultation group when registering, however you will only be selected for one session. What the session involves: The session will run for approximately 60 minutes online. You will join a small group of up to 20 people with shared backgrounds or experiences. The facilitator will guide the conversation in two parts: Lived experience sharing – if you would like to, you can reflect on your own experiences of accessing BCNA services, breast cancer support more broadly, or navigating the health system as someone from your community. You are always in control of what and how much you share. Guided consultation – the facilitator will also ask questions about what would make services like BCNA’s more accessible, more respectful, and more responsive to your community’s needs. Discussions may include experiences of diagnosis, treatment, living with metastatic disease, survivorship, caring responsibilities, accessing support, and navigating the health system. People living with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, people previously diagnosed with breast cancer, carers, family members and supporters are all welcome to participate. Representatives from community organisations relevant to each priority population group may also attend for part of the session to provide input on sector activities and actions that are currently underway and to help improve the depth of consultation. How your safety is protected: We understand that sharing personal experiences – particularly around health, identity, or cultural background – requires trust. These sessions have been carefully designed to be safe, respectful, and culturally responsive: Sessions are facilitated by experienced external consultants from MindTribes, who are trained in culturally safe, trauma–informed and inclusive practice. No names, identifying details, or personal health information will be recorded. Everything shared in the session is confidential. Insights are collected as de–identified themes only. You can withdraw at any time, for any reason. There are no right or wrong answers. Your experiences and perspectives are valid exactly as they are. For some communities, talking about cancer, health, or personal experience in a group setting may feel unfamiliar. MindTribes’ process involves encouraging each voice and contribution with care and safety by creating boundaries, good pacing and redirection techniques that are trauma–informed. We know that in many communities, talking openly about cancer – or about personal health and vulnerability – is not always easy or familiar. To give you confidence, our facilitators are from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities have 10–20 years of listening and consultation experience with racially and ethnically diverse communities. How to join: Sessions run between the end of July and early August. To register, please complete this form by July 21st, 2026: BCNA DEI Consutation Form Can't attend or would prefer to contribute another way? We understand that group discussions may not feel comfortable or accessible for everyone. Some people may prefer to share their experiences privately, have concerns about confidentiality, or be unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions. If you would still like to contribute to BCNA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy, we invite you to share your feedback through a separate online form. Responses will be reviewed alongside consultation insights to help inform the strategy. Out of session consultation Whether you participate in a consultation session, provide written feedback, or both, we welcome and value your perspective. If you have questions before registering, or if you’d prefer to speak with someone first, please reach out to us at: [email protected] We are genuinely grateful for your time, and we are committed to making sure your voice shapes what BCNA does next.💡🌏 Upcoming Webinar: Bridging the Cancer Care Gap - 27 July
Cancer patients and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds can face significant challenges when accessing symptom support services. This insightful VCCC Alliance Monday Lunch Live webinar will explore how we can work towards more equitable and accessible cancer care. You'll learn: ✅ Findings from the ACCESS program, led by Dr Alesha Thai ✅ Barriers and enablers to accessing symptom support services ✅ Co-designed solutions developed with patients and healthcare professionals ✅ Lessons learned from pilot programs across Victorian hospitals ✅ Real-life perspectives from a patient with lived experience and a Clinical Nurse Consultant working with diverse communities This session brings together research, clinical expertise, and lived experience to share practical strategies for improving access to cancer care and support services for all patients. 📅 Date: 27 July 2026 🕐 Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM 💻 Location: Online 🔗 Register here: https://vcccalliance.org.au/news-and-events/events/mll-bridging-the-cancer-care-gap 🌟 Please share with your networks, colleagues, carers, and anyone passionate about creating more inclusive and equitable cancer care. Together, we can help bridge the gap.Help shape inclusion at BCNA 🗣️
Your voice can enhance our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy At BCNA, we know that a breast cancer diagnosis is shaped by culture, identity, language, geography, and the systems we all navigate. We heard through our Member Experience Survey that we were not doing enough to reach some populations and communities, and when we did, the experience of these people in accessing out information and support didn’t always feel culturally relevant and inclusive That is why we are developing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy – a commitment to making BCNA more equitable, more accessible, and more representative of those we serve. We are developing this strategy to help ensure that everyone affected by breast cancer can access the support, information and care they need. This work will help BCNA improve how we include and support people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We know that people’s experiences of breast cancer are not the same. Often, factors like culture, language, gender, location, disability and finances overlap and create additional challenges. This is what we mean by “intersectionality”. To make sure the strategy reflects real experiences, we are listening directly to people through consultations. Your insights will help identify what is working, what is not, and what needs to change to make BCNA’s services more inclusive and accessible for everyone. BCNA is working with MindTribes – a specialist diversity, equity and inclusion consultancy – to run a series of confidential consultation sessions with our staff, consumers/members, advisory groups, and community representatives. These sessions will help us understand where we are doing well, where there are gaps, and what needs to change. The insights from these sessions will directly shape the strategy we develop and the actions that follow. We are committed to making these sessions safe spaces – led by experienced external facilitators, confidential, and designed to respect every person’s experience and identity. You are always in control of what and how much you share. Further information about how to participate will be shared with you shortly. In the meantime, we encourage you to sit with this question: what needs to change at BCNA for the organisation to be more representative and inclusive? We are looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. We will treat them with respect and confidentiality.🧠FREE ACCESS to Mental Health Care ❤️
A Medicare card is not needed to access this service. If you or someone in your community is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, worried, or unsure where to get help, support is available for you. You do not need a Medicare card. You do not need to pay to get started. And you do not need to navigate it alone. Medicare Mental Health Centres connect people with trained mental health professionals who can support you with: Managing health concerns Stress, anxiety, or low mood Family or relationship pressures Settlement challenges Trauma or past difficult experiences Feeling isolated or lonely These services are welcoming, safe, confidential, and culturally respectful. 📞 Call them on 1800 595 212 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm) to get free mental health care help that fits your individual needs and budget. They can help you make a plan, find services near you, and arrange interpreters if needed. Everyone deserves support - please call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if you're not sure where to get started - we are here to help ❤️Let’s Get to Know Each Other – What Languages Do We Speak? 🌍💬
Our CALD community is incredibly diverse, and we want to make sure the content and information we share genuinely support everyone here. One way we can do that is by understanding the different languages and cultural backgrounds represented in our group. So, we’d love to hear from you: What languages do you speak or understand? This could be your first language, a language you learned later in life, or even one you don’t use as often anymore. I’ll go first: I speak Latvian, and I know a little bit of German (although I’m slowly losing my touch!). Sharing your languages helps us tailor information, resources, and support so they’re as helpful and accessible as possible. 💗🌏 There’s absolutely no pressure — only share what you're comfortable with.🌍 Research Findings: Experiences of CALD People with Cancer
For those interested in understanding more about the unique experiences and needs of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds affected by cancer, Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) has released important consultation findings. These insights explore the challenges CALD communities face when navigating cancer care and highlight opportunities to create more inclusive, accessible, and culturally safe support across the system. You can read the full research findings and project details here: 👉 https://vics.org.au/projects/cald-consultation-2025-26-vics-optimal-care-summits If you’d like to discuss the report, share your reflections, or talk about what culturally responsive care means to you, feel free to start a conversation below. Your perspectives are always valued. 💛Welcome to the Group – Multilingual Breast Cancer Resources Available
We’re glad you found our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) group! If you or someone you care for prefers information in a language other than English, Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) offers a range of Multilingual resources designed to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. What’s available? BCNA provides translated information in multiple languages, including resources about: Understanding breast cancer Treatment options and side effects Living well during and after treatment Support services and navigating the health system These resources are designed to help everyone feel informed, supported, and included. We’re here for you🤝 If you have questions or need help finding resources in your preferred language, please reach out to BCNA's Helpline 1800 500 258 or call The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50 ask to call Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Group Content
A welcoming space for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and support one another. This group celebrates different languages, traditions, and stories while building strong, respectful connections. Join us to learn from one another, celebrate diversity, and contribute to a community where every voice matters.
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