Kirsten_BCNA
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CEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti - Mar26
Hi everyone, Every year, International Women’s Day gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to creating a more equitable world. This year’s UN Women Australia theme “Balance the Scales” resonates deeply with the work we do at BCNA and with the lived experiences of the hundreds of thousands of women we serve. Recently, I had the privilege of spending time with our long-time partner Sussan to explore what this year’s theme truly means for women navigating Australia’s healthcare system. Their guiding motto “By Women, For Women” pairs powerfully with “Balance the Scales”, highlighting both the strength of women supporting women and the urgency of creating systems that work with them, not against them. In our conversation, I reflected on how often women must fight to be heard, believed, and supported within a healthcare landscape that was never designed with them in mind. At BCNA, our Purpose is to stand for all Australians affected by breast cancer. We want to ensure that everyone can access the care, dignity, and understanding they deserve. 👉 Watch the video here ✨ Our 2025–2030 Strategy: Putting lived experience at the centre For more than 25 years, BCNA has fought to ensure that women's lived experience isn’t an afterthought, it’s the blueprint for action. Our new five-year strategy strengthens this commitment. It sets a bold direction to ensure our: support is stronger advocacy is louder reach is wider impact is deeper ❤️ I believe that the people we serve are the heartbeat of our organisation. This strategy represents their voices, their stories, and their needs. 👉 Explore the 2025–2030 Strategy ✨ Looking back to look forward One of the stories that continues to inspire me is that of our founder, Lyn Swinburne. In the year 2000, Lyn – mum, teacher, and fierce advocate – sat inside the Élysée Palace in Paris. Pen in hand, she paused for a moment, smiling nervously, before signing an international Charter in the presence of French President Jacques Chirac. That moment was more than ceremonial. It marked the beginning of BCNA’s enduring commitment to global advocacy, to women’s rights in healthcare, and to building a future where equity isn’t aspirational, it’s expected. 👉Read more hereCEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti
Hi everyone, As we settle into 2026, I hope you’ve had a moment to pause, reset, and look after yourself. A new year doesn’t always need to come with big resolutions or sweeping changes. Sometimes it’s simply about finding your rhythm again, setting small intentions and making space for what really matters to you. ✨This month, I’m delighted to share some fantastic news. The UK Government has announced important progress in the reporting of metastatic breast cancer data. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, especially following the work we did last year alongside Breast Cancer Now and Rethink Breast Cancer Canada. Our policy team played a significant role in advocating on behalf of our community, and that event helped create key connections, including introducing Breast Cancer Now to a UK politician living with metastatic breast cancer who has since become a powerful advocate for change. For those who are newer to BCNA, our three organisations made a pledge during that meeting - an important document that outlines what real, global progress should look like for metastatic breast cancer. It’s well worth a read if you’re passionate about this area. You can also take a look at Breast Cancer Now’s recent blog about the UK Government’s cancer plan here. Meaningful change always needs champions, and Minister Ashley Dalton is certainly one of them. But champions are inspired by the people around them and there’s no doubt that our very own Vicki Durston, along with Lisa Rankin and our incredible community members living with metastatic breast cancer, our BCNA Consumer Representatives, and so many others helped drive this momentum in the UK. ❤️ Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support and involvement in our recent activities, including Carman’s Fun Run in Melbourne and the 13th Beach Pink Players Day. There are so many ways to get involved - participating, fundraising, volunteering, or simply cheering from the sidelines. Every contribution plays a part in strengthening and supporting our community. As we continue through the year, please know how grateful we are to walk alongside you. BCNA will always be here to offer information, connection, and support whenever you need it. Whether you’re joining events, sharing your story, or navigating things at your own pace. 💬 I’d love to know: how can we best support you this year? What would you like to see more of from BCNA in 2026? Comment below!CEO Update - December 2025
Hi everyone, 🎄Can you believe there are only a few more days until Christmas?! Make sure you've seen my personal message to the Online Network as we prepare for the festive season. Watch my message here As we enter into the final weeks of the year, I wanted to check in and share some of my reflections from 2025. I am very conscious of the way we are all feeling after the horrendous events of Bondi last weekend. This will impact us all very differently and I do hope that you have reached out for support if you need it. It is hard for many of our team to understand given we were only at Bondi in October connecting with the local community there. 💡 We are finishing this year with a milestone that epitomises how we advocate for people living with metastatic breast cancer. For 27 years, we’ve fought for visibility for this community, and now we know there are 20,950 Australians living with metastatic disease, people who have too often been invisible in the health system. This is significantly more than previously estimated. And behind this figure are real people. It is also clear that we now have more work to do to ensure our services and information are reaching all those living with metastatic breast cancer. Knowing the number is a key milestone, now we need to make it count. Read more about our pledge below. ❤️ We also know that moments like this can land differently for everyone. BCNA is here to provide support and resources to help you. Remember that our Helpline is here 1800 500 258 between Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm AEDT, or request a time for us to call you. We’ll keep pushing for better care, better treatment, and better outcomes, while being a trusted place to turn to for anyone affected by breast cancer. 💪 Access to the best treatment is fundamental to our work and that is why I am also proud that we drove submissions to ensure two new treatments for metastatic breast cancer and high-risk early breast cancer added to the PBS. This means more affordable access to life-changing options. 🫶 2025 also saw the power of community in every corner of Australia through our fundraising events including at the MCG’s Pink Lady Match. There is nothing more powerful that watching people connect – it brings a sense of belonging that is hard to describe but one I know you all feel on this Online Network. One common thing we do continue to hear in the community is that breast cancer is done – we all know that this is simply not true. So our messages to the general public have been about how far we have to go in early detection, treatment and care. We used Breast Cancer Awareness month to shift the community discussion to improving early detection through our Know Your Yourself. Feel Yourself. campaign, including a step-by-step video that encourages women to know their normal so they can identify changes early. I was shocked to hear so many young women tell us that they had never known how to check their breasts or that they had never really looked at their breasts before. We as a community have perhaps underestimated the knowledge of our young women – so if you can please help us to promote the educational video I would love you to. Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. A massive thank you to our hundreds of incredible volunteers and our dedicated Consumer Representatives who have supported us this year at our events, offices, and campaigns. We couldn’t do what we do without you! We know this can be a difficult time of the year for many of you so I am so pleased the Online Network will be here for you and for the many people who may be coming to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis for the first time. The magic of this Online Network is that you truly understand, you offer emotional support during difficult times, and creating spaces where you can share practical advice, find hope, and at times humour when we need it most! So never underestimate how your posts or questions can make a difference. From me and the whole team at BCNA thank you for being a valued member of our community and I hope you have a summer full of joy. 💬 What was your memorable moment this year and what are your fun plans for this summer? I cant wait to get my feet in the sand and salt water in my hair! Regards, Kirsten Pilatti, CEO, BCNACEO Update - Kirsten Pilatti - Nov25
Dear Online Network community, As we approach the summer and holiday season, I want to take a moment to check in with you all and highlight some of the important campaigns and support services BCNA offers. 👀 October was a month of pride and purpose as we launched our new Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. breast awareness campaign. It was important that we could harness the passion and experiences of our network to help rebuild confidence among young women. While awareness of breast cancer may be high, we now need the Australian community to move from awareness to action. I loved being at Bondi Beach, where hundreds of women stepped into our mirrored booths to learn how to check their breasts with confidence. The energy, connection, and courage on display were truly inspiring. If you haven’t already watched our new educational video, I encourage you to do so - and please share it with your friends, family, and networks. You are our best champions for helping spread this life-saving message. 🏃 Looking ahead, we’re all limbering up for one of BCNA’s biggest events of the year—Carman’s Fun Run in Melbourne. Join me and thousands of runners, walkers, and joggers as we take on 5km, 10km, or the half marathon! It’s a great way to kick off the new year, do something positive for yourself, and raise vital funds to support people affected by breast cancer. You can register here. 👉 Don't forget that we are here for you - we know that many medical services close during this time, which can be particularly challenging for those undergoing treatment. We want to ensure that anyone affected by breast cancer knows support is available including My Journey and My Care Kit. You are all familiar with our incredible Online Network community. When we completed our member experience survey last year, we heard that many people know we are here for when you are first diagnosed but didn’t realise the resources and support we have when people are through those difficult first few months – so I would love you to tell me..... 💬 What is your favourite BCNA information page, video, podcast that has helped and why? As always, please reach out to our helpline if you need anything at all - 1800 500 258 9am-5pm AEDT - we are here and together we are stronger ❤️ Cheers KP Kirsten Pilatti, CEO, BCNARe: 4 Corners - Generation Cancer
Hi JacJac - thanks for sharing your story - you have highlighted so many of the issues we advocate for (just for context I am the CEO of BCNA). That feels weird to write! Patrice was wonderful on the program and really delivered the lived experience in such a powerful way - the reality of it all was there for the whole country to see. You are so right about all the assumptions that exist (still today in breast cancer) it drives me mad! We are also up against many people believing that breast cancer is done and that we need to focus on others - well that is not going to happen on my watch! We are always wanting to connect with people who are happy to share their experience to help us advocate strongly for change. Here are our Policy Priorities would encourage everyone to read them. If you are keen to talk more and help us advocate then https://www.bcna.org.au/get-in-touch/ is the best way and the right person will be able to connect with you. Sadly your experience is not the only one. We wont stop until everyone has the best treatment, CARE and SUPPORT. Really hope we can connect KPRe: 4 Corners - Generation Cancer
Hi everyone and thank you Suki for highlighting the story. I know there was quite a reaction to many of the topics that were explored. We know that any media on cancer with lived experiencing may impact our Network so I hope anyone who found it difficult to watch reaches out to us today for support. For me watching last night, I saw so many of the reasons why we developed the Podcast What you don't know until you do with Dr Charlotte Tottman. The emotions that are so difficult to understand for yourself until you connect with others - who just know! Series 1: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/podcasts/what-you-dont-know-until-you-do/ Series 2: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/podcasts/what-you-dont-know-until-you-do-unlimited/ Last night also highlighted that we have so many unanswered questions in cancer and why research is so very important. When we have unanswered questions - we know it can bring about uncertainty - and I don't know about anyone else but uncertainty can make me a bit wobbly! I also found some of the questions that were asked angered me - but this is not the first time and it sure wont be the last that a media story raises my temperature! I have found chatting with our Network to help process some of my thoughts, feelings and reactions to last night - so if you need us we are here. KPElection called
Hi everyone - it has been a while since I have posted myself but as always I love the many messages you share with each other that I have a chance to read. Last week Vicki (our Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services) and I were in Canberra meeting with both the Minister for Health and Shadow Minister to take them through our policy priorities. I hope you have had a chance to read them: https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/bcna-policy-priorities-2025/ These are driven by your experiences and where our Network wants the Australian Government to invest. Keep any eye out on our social media and through the Online Network on updates on commitments the parties may make. Love your work KPRe: Disappointing
HI everyone - I wanted to provide an update to you on the issues you have raised through this thread. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and I do not endorse individual politicians or political parties. We have been fortunate to be able to work with politicians from all political parties and our focus is to ensure we can be part of policy decisions, no matter who is in government. I want to assure you that I take our political relationships seriously and am clear on the legal requirements of BCNA. We are disappointed that BCNA has been caught up in the current debate. The interview with Sky was wide ranging including highlighting some of our election manifesto asks. As can be the case with media only showed a small proportion of my interview. Cheers KPNew podcast on fatigue
Hi everyone Last night I listened to our latest podcast from Upfront about breast cancer series. I wanted to post in here in case you had missed our promotions. This edition focuses on fatigue and includes Rina, who is living with metastatic breast cancer. I think Rina and the other guests provide some really helpful and practical information. It may even be very helpful for your support team. A link to the podcast is here: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/resources/podcasts/episode-34-managing-fatigue/ I hope you are all looking after yourselves Cheers Kirsten
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.CR Connect
This is a dedicated space for BCNA Seat at the Table (SATT) trained Consumer Representatives (CRs) to connect, collaborate, share ideas, experiences and resources.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.
