Carissa_BCNA
Member
Joined 10 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
Contributions
Attend our next event - In person (Shepparton, Vic) or online! Wednesday 26 June
We're heading to Shepparton, Victoria on Wednesday 26 June for our next Information Forum - bringing leading experts to the local community to provide insights on a range of breast cancer topics. Plus there's an online option, so you can join in no matter where you are! Just click 'attending virtually' when registering. This Information Forum is for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, who may be living with or after a breast cancer diagnosis and supporters. There will be two simultaneous information sessions throughout the day – one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. Please register for the session you would like to attend. Joining us on the day will be: Dr Michelle White, Medical Oncologist Dr Carrie Lethborg, Oncology Social Worker Professor Neil Piller, Lymphologist Michelle Parish and Melissa Gilmour, McGrath Breast Care Nurses Local BCNA members sharing their experience Event details: Date: Wednesday 26 June Time: 9.00am for 9.30am start – 3.00pm Refreshments will be served on arrival from 9.00am and a light lunch will be provided. Location: Quality Hotel Parklake, Shepparton Registration: Please register via Eventbrite We would love to see you in person or online. If you have any questions, please comment below or email events@bcna.org.auJoin us next week in person or online! Free Information Forums in Devonport and Hobart
Next week we will be in Tasmania as part of our free national Information Forum series. We are bringing leading experts to events in Devonport on Tuesday 30 April and Hobart on Thursday 2 May to talk on a range of breast cancer topics. Our events are for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or who is living with or after a breast cancer diagnosis, as well as supporters. REGISTER FOR DEVONPORT HERE REGISTER FOR HOBART HERE Event details for Devonport and Hobart: Date: Devonport Tuesday 30 April; Hobart Thursday 2 May Time: 9.00am for 9.30am start – 3.00pm Refreshments will be served on arrival from 9.00am and a light lunch will be provided. Location: Paranaple Convention Centre, Market Square, 137 Rooke St, Devonport RACV Hobart Hotel, 154-156 Collins St, Hobart RSVP: Tuesday 23 April There will be two information sessions held each day – one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. Please register for the appropriate session for your diagnosis. If you can’t attend in person, you can join us online. When registering, select ‘Information Forum – Attending Virtually’. The virtual session will be delivered via Zoom, and you will receive the access link one day before the event. If you require any assistance, please contact events@bcna.org.au or comment below. We look forward to seeing you!Re: Are you experiencing pain following treatment?
This event is coming up soon on Wednesday 7 February at 7pm AEDT. You can register right up to the event or if you can't make it, you can still register and we will email the recording directly to you once it's available. To register, follow this link https://www.bcna.org.au/event-directory/webcasts/persistent-pain-after-breast-cancer/ Hope to see you there.Re: Free BCNA Information Forum in Murray Bridge, SA
Dr Charlotte Tottman who will be appearing at our Information Forum also has a 2-season podcast with BCNA called What You Don’t Know Until You Do. This podcast delves into a range of topics focusing on breast cancer and mental health. Dr Tottman shares not only her clinical knowledge but her own breast cancer story and personal experience. Check it out here.Free BCNA Information Forum in Murray Bridge, SA
We are heading to Murray Bridge, South Australia as part of our national Information Forum series. We are bringing leading experts to the local community to provide insights on a range of breast cancer topics. We extend an invitation to anyone located in or around Murray Bridge to join us on Wednesday 6 March for this fantastic day full of information and getting to connect with others in the area! This event will be both in-person and online. The Information Forum is for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, who may be living with or after a breast cancer diagnosis and supporters. Register here! We are excited to announce a leading cancer psychologist from South Australia will be joining us. With more presenters to be announced soon! Dr Charlotte Tottman, Clinical Psychologist Dr Tottman specialises in the treatment of cancer-related distress. Charlotte consults privately treating cancer patients and their family members and carers. Charlotte has her own cancer story. Several years after establishing her private practice in psycho oncology, she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. If you are unable to attend in person, you can still join us online! When registering, select ‘Information Forum – Attending Virtually’. The online session will be delivered via Zoom, and you will receive the access link one day before the event. There will be two simultaneous information sessions throughout the day – one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. Please register for the session you would like to attend. Event details: Date: Wednesday 6 March Time: 9.00am for 9.30am start – 3.00pm Refreshments will be served on arrival from 9.00am and a light lunch will be provided. Location: Bridgeport Hotel, 2 Bridge St, Murray Bridge Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bcna-murray-bridge-information-forum-2024-registration-779739320297 RSVP: Please RSVP by Wednesday February 28 If you have any questions, please email events@bcna.org.au or comment below.Are you experiencing pain following treatment?
Register for the Persistent pain, addressing quality of life webcast on Wednesday 7 February, 7pm - 8.15pm AEDT. Register now (and if you miss it, we will email you the recording) This webcast will address types of persistent pain associated with early breast cancer treatments, strategies to manage pain and further resources and support that may be available to you. We will be joined by three experts on the night, Professor Paul Glare, Pain Medicine Specialist, Dr Charlotte Tottman, Clinical Psychologist and Naveena Nekkalapudi, BCNA Consumer Representative. Naveena will be sharing her experiences of persistent body pain and why quality of life is paramount to her. You will have the opportunity to put forward your questions when you register or during the event. For more information about the webcast and speakers, and to register, please visit https://www.bcna.org.au/event-directory/webcasts/persistent-pain-after-breast-cancer/ Please feel free to pop any questions below in the comments or get in touch with the events team via events@bcna.org.au. We look forward to seeing you there!Re: Menopause - It's more than a hot flush! Recording available now
Great article, thanks for sharing @arpie If anyone is interested to do a little more reading before this webcast next Wednesday 6 December, you can check out our menopausal symptoms article here https://myjourney.org.au/article/1423 You can register all the way up to the event and if you can't make it on the night, feel free to register anyway and we'll share the recording straight to your inbox https://loghic.eventsair.com/bcna/061223/Site/RegisterMenopause - It's more than a hot flush! Recording available now
The recording of Menopause - It's more than a hot flush! webcast is now available here. We hope you find it both informative and enjoyable. Please feel free to share feedback, questions or thoughts below in the discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ask the Expert: Menopause – It’s more than a hot flush! on Wednesday 6 December 2023. Many people experience changes to their sexual wellbeing associated with breast cancer treatment that can be caused by menopause or menopause-like symptoms. These can include vaginal dryness or discomfort, loss of libido (sex drive), changes to self-esteem and fatigue. Topics like these can often be difficult to discuss with your partner or health professional and it can be reassuring to know you are not alone. During this webcast, you will hear from Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician based in Adelaide. Dr Mezzini is a leader in this area, with her level of expertise, she provides best practice and compassionate medical care. She presents in an open, informative and engaging way about sexual health and wellbeing. The webcast will be facilitated by BCNA Consumer Representative, Naveena Nekkalapudi. Following her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer and the subsequent treatment, Naveena decided to re-evaluate her life and focus on matters that are important to her. She describes it as changing from being career ambitious to being life ambitious. Naveena is a consumer representative of BCNA, Cancer Council Victoria, Breast Cancer Trials, VCCC, and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to name a few. This webcast will help to provide you with strategies to manage menopausal symptoms and discuss the support available to assist you with your sexual and emotional wellbeing.Re: BCNA Information Forum - recordings available soon
Hi everyone Our Mission Beach Information Forum was held earlier this week where we heard about many different topics and it was a fantastic opportunity to connect. If you attended or were with us online, it would be great to hear from you. We recorded each presentation from Mission Beach and these will be available in the coming weeks. We apologise about our Coffs Harbour recordings, which are also coming soon. If you would like to view our past Information Forum presentations, many of them can be viewed on BCNA's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BCNetworkAustralia/playlists
Groups
Choosing breast reconstruction
PRIVATE GROUP. Choosing breast reconstruction after single or double mastectomy can feel overwhelming, and deeply personal. This group is here to connect you through others' stories and images. Please respect everyone’s privacy—do not copy or share content outside this space. Information is based on personal experience and is not medical advice; always consult your healthcare team for guidance. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING⚠️ Members may share photos of breast surgeries. These images or discussions may be distressing or triggering for some. If you need support, please contact the BCNA Helpline - we are here for you.First Peoples yarning circle
This group is a culturally safe and respectful space for First Peoples affected by breast cancer. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating life after breast cancer, you're welcome to share your story, connect with others, and find strength in community. Think of this space as a virtual yarning circle - where you can speak freely, listen deeply, and feel supported by others who truly understand your journey.Let's talk: vaginas, menopause & me
PRIVATE GROUP. This group is a safe, supportive space to talk about sexual health and emotional wellbeing during and after breast cancer. We discuss topics like menopause, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, UTIs, and changes in libido, and share ideas and products that may help. Whether you're navigating intimacy with a partner or reconnecting with yourself, you're not alone here. This is a place for open, respectful conversations and shared understanding.Living with metastatic breast cancer
This is group for people living with metastatic breast cancer (also called stage 4, secondary or advanced breast cancer). This is a safe, understanding space to connect with others who truly get what it’s like to hear the words that you are living with metastatic breast cancer. Together, we offer each other strength, compassion, hope encouragement and a place to talk openly—whatever you're facing.LGBTIQ+ & breast cancer
We recognise that the breast cancer experience can be uniquely complex for LGBTIQ+ individuals. From navigating healthcare systems that may not always feel inclusive, to dealing with assumptions about gender, bodies, relationships, and identity—this group exists to honour and support those experiences in a safe, affirming environment.
