Help test a new online database that shows interactions between cancer medicines, herbs & vitamins
Hi all, Researchers at Satori Medicine, an independent consulting group, in collaboration with an Expert Committee comprising of consumer representatives, including consumer representatives from Breast Cancer Network Australia, health professionals and other researchers are conducting a study to test, evaluate and report on the usefulness of IMgateway, which is an evidence-based database that has already been utilised by doctors and pharmacists for 18 years. The database provides information about interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and complementary medicines. The researchers are working to adapt the database so that it is directly available to consumers including Australians diagnosed with cancer. They are inviting you to test the suitability of this adapted database for consumer use and provide feedback about its usefulness. The researchers will collate and analyse the results from the information you provide and prepare a published report. About the IMgateway database The adapted database will allow people affected by cancer to enter the name of a pharmaceutical drug or a complementary medicine (e.g. a herb, vitamin, mineral or food) and receive information about potential interactions that may interfere with the effectiveness of the drug. For example, if you are taking an aromatase inhibitor and considering whether or not to take vitamin D, by using the database you can find information about whether or not vitamin D may interfere with the effectiveness of the aromatase inhibitor. Who can participate? You can participate in this study if you: have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or are a carer are comfortable reading and writing in English. What does the study involve? The survey will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and your responses will be confidential. You will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey includes several general questions, such as: Whether or not you use (or have used) a complementary medicine. Where you would go for information about complementary medicines (e.g. your doctor, friends, online, family). Whether you are concerned about possible interactions between cancer medicines and complementary medicines. You will then be presented with a short, fictional scenario of a patient who is taking two pharmaceutical drugs and is considering taking two specified complementary medicines. You will be asked to use the online IMgateway database to see whether there are any interactions between the drugs and the complementary medicines. You will also be asked to provide feedback about the database and how easy it was to complete the task. How do I take part? If you are interested in taking part in the survey, please click the following link which provides a Participant Information Form providing details about the study: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/7146/participant-information-form_10-feb-2019-final.pdf. Once you have read the Participant Information Form and you consent to take part in the survey, then click the Survey link below. Please take the survey by 27 February 2019 on a computer and not on a phone or tablet. Survey Link By clicking this link you are indicating that you have read the Participant Information Form and consent to take part in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6D3SDKT. Privacy Your name and any other identifying information is not asked for in the questionnaire. The data collected will be reported as aggregated data. Any quotes used from answers given to any of the questions will not be able to identify any individual. By taking this survey you are providing your consent (agreement) for the researchers to collect and store your answers on Survey Monkey’s overseas server (large computer). For further information on BCNA’s Privacy Statement please click here. For a copy of SurveyMonkey’s Privacy Statement please click here. Thanks so much for considering this opportunity!621Views0likes10Comments
Eating well and moving more
You may have recently read about BCNA’s Active and Well After Breast Cancer initiative, which kicks off with an information day on Thursday 4 September at Flemington Racecourse. As this is a pilot initiative, the information day is specifically for women from the north-western suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne, however, you will be able to access all the information, tips, tricks and monthly Active and Well e-newsletter right here! The aim of Active and Well After Breast Cancer is to support and encourage women to eat well and move more. We will provide you with information, services and support through the online network to help you start making small changes that can have a positive impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing. If you are from the north-western suburbs of Melbourne, have been diagnosed with breast cancer between six months and three years ago, and would like to come along to the information day, call BCNA on 1800 500 258. Registrations close this Friday 29 August. We will be in touch soon with more about this initiative. ~ Steph1View0likes1Comment
Body+Soul seeking photos for breast cancer tribute
Body+Soul, Australia's leading health & wellbeing supplement which runs nationally through News Limited papers every Sunday, is seeking photos of women diagnosed with breast cancer to feature as part of a commemorative cover during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. They are seeking high-res photos of women who have completed treatment, those currently going through treatment or women who have passed away. They are looking for headshots which will be used to make up a tribute cover image in the shape of a pink ribbon. If you would like to be involved please email your photo (preferably high-res 300dpi and 15cm high), along with your name and location to barry.goodwin@news.com.au and make sure the subject line/heading of the email is "Body+Soul headshot" Cheers, Laura1View0likes0CommentsMedia opportunity: Did you choose not to have radiotherapy due to travel/distance?
Hello, I am looking for women in regional or rural NSW and Victoria who opted NOT to have radiotherapy to avoid spending long amounts of time away from home and their family. I have been appoached by Daily Telegraph newspaper in NSW who is working on a campaign around rural health. They would like to focus on poor access to radiotherapy in rural and remote areas. The journalist I am working with is keen to speak to women in NSW or Victoria who opted to undergo a mastectomy (or double mastectomy) to avoid radiotherapy and having to spend weeks away from home. Ideally they would like to speak to someone this week. If this sounds like you and your comfortable sharing your story, please email media@bcna.org.au Alternatively if you know of someone who meets the criteria, please encourage them to get in touch. It's an important issue and one that we are keen to help raise awareness of. Cheers, Laura - BCNA Media Manager1View0likes2Comments
Pink Pilates
The Northern Cancer Support Centre of Launceston recently offered a 6 week free course of Pilates. Twice a week, for 50 mins, when I first began the class it took me a day and a half to recover. I loved Pilates, and not only did it enable us to exercise in safety under supervision, it also became my stress coping mechanism. The deep breathing, and calming music was the best form of meditation Ive ever experienced. I always left feeling on a high, happy and relaxed. After all, isnt that one of the things we crave most throughout the Cancer Experience! One of the ladies in the class is blind, has been all her life, and still enjoyed the new friendships and healthy benefits of Pilates with us. We fell inlove with her guide dog, and made new friends. Yesterday, we all stayed back with our instructor Georgie Ball Smith and thanked her, with morning tea and a farewell. The classes are normally $19 at the Fitness business she comes from. 2 of those a week = my petrol. I am truly grateful to the Cancer Council for providing one of the most important parts of my Rehabilitation Program for FREE, I think it should be availble all year round, not just for 6 weeks. I loved it! Bel McKenna1View0likes1Comment