💪Be your best advocate with your treating team
We've compiled the following lists of questions to help support you in preparing for those appointments where you might feel a little confused or overwhelmed. These questions are designed to help you on the path to having your voice heard during appointments with your treating team as you navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. If there are additional questions not there that you feel helped you, please comment it below so we can continue to grow our impact in empowering patient conversations ❤️ Communication Support Communication with your treating team: 🔎 Questions to Ask: DCIS Newly diagnosed (DCIS) Early Breast Cancer Newly diagnosed (early breast cancer) Treatment (early breast cancer) Finishing active treatment (early breast cancer) Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction – questions to ask a surgeon Metastatic Breast Cancer Metastatic breast cancer diagnosis Metastatic treatment and care team Stopping metastatic breast cancer treatment Community Support Young women diagnosed with breast cancer Men diagnosed with breast cancer Questions to get support for First Peoples Questions to get support in remote and rural areas🌱Wednesday Wellness - 3Mar26-The power of advocating for yourself🌱
This Wednesday, we’re focusing on a part of wellness that is so important but sometimes overlooked while navigating the whirlwind of a breast cancer diagnosis: the power of advocating for yourself. Advocating for yourself doesn’t mean having all the answers, being endlessly confident, or navigating everything on your own. It simply means honouring your needs, your values, and your voice - even on the days when speaking up feels hard. It’s about trusting that you are the expert in your own body and your own lived experience. 💗 Why self‑advocacy matters When you advocate for yourself, you help shape a care experience that reflects who you are and what matters to you. This can mean: asking for clearer explanations seeking a second opinion saying when something doesn’t feel right requesting extra emotional, cultural, or practical support taking time to make decisions voicing what you need to feel safe and informed These conversations can deepen trust with your treating team and empower you to make choices with greater confidence and clarity. 🌱 Small ways to strengthen your advocacy You don’t need to be loud or forceful - advocacy can be gentle and supported: Bring a support person to appointments Write down questions beforehand Ask for information in the format you prefer (written, verbal, print, digital) Let your team know how you make decisions best Take space when you need to — it’s okay to say “I need time to think about this” 🔎 Questions to Ask Your Treating Team We've compiled the following lists of questions designed to help you on the path to having your voice heard during appointments with your treating team as you navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. Click the link below: 💪Be your best advocate with your treating team 💬 A gentle reminder Your voice should e an essential part of your health care plan. Give our Helpline team a call on 1800 500 258 if you're feeling stuck and are wanting to explore how you can best advocate for yourself during your breast cancer journey.📣March 3rd - TNBC Awareness Day
Today is Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a day dedicated to honouring everyone affected by TNBC, and recognising the unique challenges that come with this diagnosis. TNBC can feel overwhelming. It’s often fast‑growing, it has fewer targeted treatment options, and it can bring a heavy emotional load. But today is also about something bigger: awareness, understanding, and strength. A heartfelt thank you to our very own Online Community member Kim, for sharing your story to help share awareness and connection for those living with, and caring for anyone affected by TNBC. ✨ Read Kim's story below ✨ I'm still me but I'm a different version of me. I'm working through what that version is.’ Kim was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in 2024. 15 months on, she’s sharing what she wishes others knew about living with TNBC, along with her broader message for others diagnosed. ‘Sometimes I look in the mirror and think, “Wow, how the heck did you get through all that?” and other times I'm like, “Who are you?”’ Are you someone living with TNBC or wanting to learn more? Join our private, welcoming community group here with others who understand the impact of living with TNBC.
Policy & Advocacy Update - Vicki Durston - Feb26
As we continue to move through 2026, there’s a real sense of progress building across breast cancer outcomes - both here at home and internationally. I want to share two important moments that highlight how evidence, leadership, and advocacy are shaping a better future for those affected by breast cancer. ✨ Why AI in mammography can’t wait Eric Topol’s recent article, “Why All Mammograms Should Incorporate AI,” brings together powerful evidence showing that AI in breast screening is no longer a future idea - it’s part of modern, effective care today. One of the strongest examples is the large MASAI trial from Sweden, involving more than 105,000 women. When radiologists used AI as support, the outcomes were remarkable: 👉 29% more cancers detected 👉 24% more invasive cancers found 👉 No increase in false positives or recalls 👉 44% reduction in radiologist workload Two-year follow-up findings were equally compelling: fewer interval cancers, fewer invasive cancers, and fewer aggressive types such as triple negative and HER2-positive cancers. What international evidence now shows International evidence is telling a very consistent story. Large trials and real-world evaluations show that AI-supported mammography can safely increase cancer detection while reducing radiologist workload, without increasing false positives or unnecessary recalls. This matters in a system already under pressure. AI is also changing how we think about risk. New image-based risk models can analyse a mammogram that appears “normal” to the human eye and still identify women at higher risk of developing breast cancer in the next few years. This opens the door to more personalised, risk-stratified screening, rather than the one-size-fits-all model we rely on today. Here in Australia, BreastScreen is a highly respected program, but it was designed more than 30 years ago. While Victoria and NSW are now piloting AI within their services, we still lack a coordinated national approach for integrating AI into breast screening that reflects today’s evidence. What BCNA is calling for We are now at a decision point. The question Eric Topol poses - “If not now, then when?”- is the same challenge facing Australia. For BCNA, this is not about chasing technology for its own sake. We are calling for AI to be treated as a core part of the evolution of breast screening, not an optional add-on. That means: Embedding AI research, evaluation and implementation within BreastScreen Ongoing, in-program national investment in screening research and quality improvement Ensuring that the benefits of new technology are delivered equitably, so no woman is left behind because of where she lives or her background If we get this right, AI won’t replace the program Australians trust - it will strengthen it, helping detect cancers earlier, supporting an overstretched workforce, and moving us closer to truly personalised, risk-stratified screening.🌸 Friday Update – 20 Feb 26
Hello everyone and welcome to Friday! I'm filling in for the Online Network content today, so I thought we’d wind things back to one of my classic Friday Updates - a gentle wrap‑up of what’s been happening across our BCNA community. 🏃♀️ Carman’s Fun Run – What a Day! Last Sunday’s Carman’s Fun Run was an incredible celebration of strength, spirit and community. Despite the rain, more than 8,000 participants came together in a wave of pink and helped raise over $315,000 for Australians affected by breast cancer. A huge congratulations to all participants, and a massive thank you to our amazing volunteers, fundraisers and partners who made it all possible 🙌 🏔️ Cheering on Kristal Kinsela – Trek4BCNA We also want to highlight Kristal Kinsela, one of BCNA’s ambassadors, who is currently undertaking Trek4BCNA: Kilimanjaro 2026challenge. Kristal’s commitment to raising awareness and funds for BCNA continues to inspire many across our community. 🌿 What’s new around BCNA and here in the Online Network Recent posts in our News and events section continue to provide support, connection and valuable information - including: Wednesday Wellness - 18Feb26 - Mindfulness Consumer voice strengthens health education Current Research Exploring the Role of AI in Breast Cancer | BCNA Online Network Lymphoedema Information & Events | BCNA Online Network BCNA's Breast self check | Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. content remains active, helping to promote early detection and greater awareness across our social channels 💗 Signing‑off It’s been great to connect with you all, and I hope you continue to find the support and conversations here helpful. A quick reminder that the BCNA Helpline team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm (AEDT) if you need information, support or guidance toward appropriate services.
🗣️ Consumer voice strengthens health education
Recently, BCNA Consumer Representative Kate Keogh Murray took part in two interactive workshops at Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, where she spoke with medical, radiology and social work students about her breast cancer experience. By bringing lived experience into the classroom, these sessions help future health professionals better understand the impact of empathy, communication and collaboration on patient-centered care. The response from students highlighted just how powerful consumer experience and insight can be in shaping more respectful, compassionate healthcare for the future. Workshop coordinator Associate Professor Caroline Wright says: “Co-delivering this workshop with people who have lived experience gives health professional students authentic insight into how communication and teamwork directly influences a patient's understanding, confidence and overall care experience. This memorable experience, highlights the need for students to reflect on the importance of respect, empathy, collaboration, and humility which all contribute to the delivering of true patient centered care" If like Kate, you want to use your experience to make a difference, 👉 click here to find out how you can get involved📣 BreastScreen progress has flatlined. BCNA’s response to AIHW data.
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling on the Federal Government to immediately action recommended reforms to the national BreastScreen program. The newly released BreastScreen Australia Monitoring Report 2025 reveals a disappointing 2% increase in participation between 2021–22 and 2023–24. “Yes, more women are being screened — but that’s because there are more women, not because the program is performing better.” Says Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director or Policy, Advocacy and Support Services BCNA is calling for urgent reform: ✅ Risk-based screening ✅ Breast density reporting ✅ AI & innovation investment ✅ National consistency ✅ Equity for Indigenous women BCNA says women and families cannot wait any longer for an effective, modern breast screening program and is calling for urgent action. Read BCNA’s full response at https://www.bcna.org.au/media-releases/breastscreen-progress-has-flatlined-bcna-responds-to-aihw-data/📅 Save the Date - New Global Breast Cancer Care Framework
If you've got an interest into the healthcare system side of the breast cancer experience, you might like to join the VCCC Alliance for an upcoming online event introducing the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index (BCCQI) - a new, globally informed framework designed to help identify gaps in breast cancer care and support action aligned with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative. 🗓 Monday 2 March 2026 🕐 1.00–2.00pm AEDT (Melb/Syd time) 📍 Online Hear from three international leaders involved in the development of this innovative measurement framework, including: Dr Benjamin Anderson (WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative) Dr Maira Caleffi (Union for International Cancer Control) Dr Ana Rita Gonzalez (Policy Wisdom) This session will explore the global breast cancer cost, the need for consistent care, and how the BCCQI can support countries to translate global targets into meaningful local action within healthcare systems. 🔔 Save the date! 👉 Event information: VCCC Alliance event page📅 Save the Date - New Global Breast Cancer Care Framework
If you've got an interest into the healthcare system side of the breast cancer experience, you might like to join the VCCC Alliance for an upcoming online event introducing the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index (BCCQI) - a new, globally informed framework designed to help identify gaps in breast cancer care and support action aligned with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative. 🗓 Monday 2 March 2026 🕐 1.00–2.00pm AEDT (Melb/Syd time) 📍 Online Hear from three international leaders involved in the development of this innovative measurement framework, including: Dr Benjamin Anderson (WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative) Dr Maira Caleffi (Union for International Cancer Control) Dr Ana Rita Gonzalez (Policy Wisdom) This session will explore the global breast cancer cost, the need for consistent care, and how the BCCQI can support countries to translate global targets into meaningful local action within healthcare systems. 🔔 Save the date! 👉 Event information: VCCC Alliance event page🌍 Global Advocacy Win: Breast Cancer Named in UN Political Declaration 🎉
We’re excited to share a major milestone in BCNA's advocacy. Last week, the United Nations formally adopted the Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health - and through the advocacy work of BCNA, breast cancer is explicitly named in the final text 🎉 ✨ Why this matters: Although it might seem confusing for BCNA to focus our advocacy efforts overseas as well as in Australia, the UN declaration helps place critical attention on our own government's ongoing priorities for policy and investment issues that impact people affected by breast cancer. It also enshrines international accountability for supporting people living with breast cancer. 💪 How BCNA made this happen: In July, when breast cancer was missing from the draft UN Declaration, BCNA met with the Australian Ambassador to the UN and the Mission team in New York. We did this because something we know, after 27 years of advocating for people affected by breast cancer, is what is named gets attention, and what is not named is often overlooked. Within 24 hours, we partnered with the Institute of Cancer Policy at King’s College London to produce evidence-based recommendations, informed by lived experience and global data. This paper helped shape Australia’s position, verified by Cancer Australia, DFAT, DoHA, and ministerial offices. In the final negotiations, Australia called for breast cancer to be named. No other country did. But once Australia spoke up, others followed. The result: breast cancer is now in the Declaration and people living with breast cancer in Australia are more empowered to keep speaking up and working towards strengthening our healthcare rights. Thank you to all BCNA staff, partners, and the Australian Government for trusting us to lead this work. Your efforts made this global outcome possible. 📄 If you’re interested on what this all means from an impact perspective, you can read more: 👉UN Political Declaration: https://lnkd.in/gm8fV2MY 👉BCNA & Institute of Cancer Policy paper: https://lnkd.in/gQJcTTSf 👉BCNA takes your voice to the UN General Assembly: https://www.bcna.org.au/bcna-takes-your-voice-to-the-un-general-assembly
