đ¸ Behind the screen with BreastScreen Victoriađ¸
BreastScreen Victoria has recently shared several updates highlighting current awareness work across the breast cancer screening sector including: ⨠Launching Behind the Screen, a sixâpart podcast offering a closer look at breast screening and the people behind the program. â¨A new permanent clinic also opened in Caroline Springs, improving local access to screening. ⨠They are also continuing the AI imageâreading trial, now active across one clinic in each of the stateâs eight regions. Over 7,500 clients have taken part so far, with a statewide rollout planned by June 2026. BreastScreen Victoria will also appear at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show from 25â29 March, offering attendees the chance to learn more about breast health and book screening appointments. Thank you to BreastScreen for helping increase impact of awareness for breast cancer â¤ď¸Chest Cancer Breast Cancer
Hello readers (all members, carers, staff, the public), Having read various requests, pleas, posts that communicate the need to INCLUDE males, in fact all people of any gender and age, and still see vastly inadequate awareness and action, please understand why this call for action might reflect how urgent, emphatic and furious it can become. How many requests, how many years, how many lives suffering shame/embarrassment/stigma/isolation, how many deaths, how much ignorance, even among today's GPs, how little support, how many undiagnosed cancer cases??? For anyone who cannot feel empathy, like it-does-not-affect-me or they-are-JUST-minority, then think⌠if it is your: son, brother, father, partner, husband, grandfather, grandmother, child, other loved ones, or someone you respect. Actions please, especially by BCNA, and other organisations, in the position of power to do something about it -right now. Strongly recommend: Marketing Team, able and influential. BCNA pagesâ banners are the worst misinformation propagator of âwomen-only, pink pink bathing-big-busts-the-goal-in-life; no children, no males, no matter cancer undiagnosed untreated they are nobody. Requests of years ago still ignored. Please right now stop plastering pink pink bright pink all over, highlighting bulging breasts in pink bathing suits as if for a women-only swim club, exclusively pink bright pink skirts, and just women maniacally laughing. Over-the-top incongruous. Please donât switch to extreme stereotypes either, like typically the most wrinkly hand being held by an age-contrast hand, in copy-cat robotsâ stock-photos marketing. While youâre adjusting, please very ably and kindly reduce all the auto flipping/sliding panels, hyperactive donate-button, and fast drop-drown whenever we just hover or just breathe; itâs turning us into a nervous twitchy moving-image-nauseous wreck. Some have x months to live, can marketing spend 3 hours to make a beta, 3 days to go live, for them to see in time? Merchandise. Please adjust the pink pink pink ribbons. How about a more INFORMATIVE, educating, creative, inclusive pink+green+brown for example, avoiding gender-again gender blue. Something neutral and universal? A flower+leaf+stem, sun moon star, or a simple band? A sticky post please, kind can-do staff, to educate and change habit. Something like âGenderless breast cancer affects allâ, in green? Avoid gender-colour. Members posting please use neutral communication instead of all these âlovely ladiesâ. We are supposed to know better, and the public can read these posts to learn from us. No, it is not enough to have ONE day of the year for half the population -cancer affects everyone in the personâs life. No, it is not acceptable to shove males, children, and so-name-called CALD (we are all of us diverse multicultural so itâs not right for one group to name call the âothersâ as diverse) to go talk among yourselves in that corner or in a locked group. As if get out of my sight. As if we donât care. As if youâre not one of us. It is not fair to burden this task on the shoulders of the ânot one of usâ to educate the mass. The task is on us. Please get updates of info to reach and make sure GPs and all other medical professionals are up-to-date and aware. Still a problem, in 2026. Please action, everyone. Kind members please do, if not already. Please search âmaleâ, âmenâ, and topic âInclusionâ 2019? on this site, to listen, to hear, to understand, to be kinder. Letâs mark todayâs date 20-Mar-2026 awaiting action. We are counting, each day. More suffering. Any effective action. Please. With hope and thanks. [Edit: Tagging PeterBâ and traveltextâ to acknowledge and show appreciation.]March 6th was Lymphoedema Awareness Day â¤ď¸
Living with lymphoedema after breast cancer can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Itâs okay to feel upset or overwhelmed by the experience of a chronic condition. Whether itâs impacting your body image or your relationships, your feelings are valid. The good news? As you learn to manage the physical symptoms, the emotional weight often lifts too. Steps to support living with lymphoedema: ⨠Talk to your team: Reach out to your breast care nurse, GP, or therapist. ⨠Access help: Ask your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan and/or a Chronic Condition Management Plan for Medicare-subsidised support. â¨Connect: Sharing experiences with others who "get it" can make all the difference. Our incredible Online Network is here for you, please reach out whenever you need to chat. For more information and support call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 between Monday â Friday 9am â 5pm.đŁMarch 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. Itâs often fastâgrowing, 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.â Kim was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in 2024. 15 months on, sheâs sharing what she wishes others knew about living with TNBC, along with her broader message for others diagnosed. âSometimes I look in the mirror and think, âWow, how the heck did you get through all that?â and other times I'm like, âWho are you?ââ 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.Breast cancer has seen a rise in the diagnosis of young women - awareness is key! đ
Growing numbers of women are being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40. While experts are not able to say for sure what is driving this, the impact is still notably huge on both the healthcare system and the real lives of real people. Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of effective treatment. Being breast aware at any age means knowing whatâs normal for your body, so changes can be noticed sooner. Consider this your friendly reminder to #Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. , and that awareness and early detection are key. Don't be afraid to share the love and gently 'nudge' your close friends & family to be more breast aware â¤ď¸ đ Learn how to perform a breast self-check at https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/how-to-check-your-breasts đWatch the 9 news coverage of the issue here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/929813956177041Breast cancer has seen a rise in the diagnosis of young women - awareness is key! đ
Growing numbers of women are being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40. While experts are not able to say for sure what is driving this, the impact is still notably huge on both the healthcare system and the real lives of real people. Finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of effective treatment. Being breast aware at any age means knowing whatâs normal for your body, so changes can be noticed sooner. Consider this your friendly reminder to #Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. , and that awareness and early detection are key. Don't be afraid to share the love and gently 'nudge' your close friends & family to be more breast aware â¤ď¸ đ Learn how to perform a breast self-check at https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/how-to-check-your-breasts đWatch the 9 news coverage of the issue here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/929813956177041đąWednesday Wellness - 4FEB26 - World Cancer Dayđ
Today is World Cancer Day, a global moment to raise awareness, honour those affected by cancer, whether personally or as a carer, and remind one another that support, hope, and the strength of our community can make the biggest impact on the life of another. This yearâs theme continues the call to âClose the Care Gapâ - a reminder that everyone deserves access to timely screening, quality treatment, and compassionate support. While cancer impacts millions of lives, a powerful part of today is recognising the strength of individuals, families, carers, health professionals, and communities who walk this journey together. đą So here is your wellness check-in for today: Be informed: Knowing the signs, symptoms, and screening recommendations for your age group can save lives. Be kind to your body: Gentle movement, rest, nourishing foods, and stressâreducing moments all contribute to wellbeing. Be connected: If someone you know is affected by cancer, even a small checkâin message can mean the world. Be compassionate to yourself and others: Everyoneâs experience is different, and support looks different for everyone too. Always remember that finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of effective treatment. Being breast aware at any age means knowing whatâs normal for your body, so changes can be noticed sooner. If you're looking for some guidance on how to do this, watch our educational video or send it to someone you know that would benefit who is coming up time for a self-check! Learn how to perform a breast self-check here So this World Cancer Day, letâs take a moment today to honour resilience, hold space for those navigating cancer, and reaffirm our commitment to a healthier, more equitable future for all. đBCNA responds to GP breast density guidelines.
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) welcomes todayâs release of national clinical guidance to support GPs in managing and advising women with high breast density. 𩺠This new GP guidance accompanies the national move toward breast density notification, and BCNA strongly supports all BreastScreen programs informing women of their breast density as a minimum standard. Women have a right to this information, and todayâs guidance provides GPs with clear, evidence-based pathways to support decision-making, risk assessment and referral to appropriate imaging where clinically indicated. ⨠Breast density is one element of breast cancer risk and must be considered alongside family history, genetics, previous breast conditions, lifestyle factors, and overall personal risk. This comprehensive guideline gives GPs the tools they need to confidently assess risk and discuss supplemental screening options with women who may require further imaging. 𫶠BCNA also welcomes the collaborative approach taken by BreastScreen Australia and acknowledges the inclusion of lived experience in shaping these guidelines. Ensuring consumer voices were part of the development process strengthens the guidance and ensures it reflects the real needs and concerns of women. đŁ We now call for strong promotion, education and dissemination of this guidance â particularly in rural and regional communities â to ensure equity of access to information and screening options for all women, regardless of where they live. BCNA will continue to advocate for clear communication, consistent national practice, and equitable access to screening and follow-up imaging for every Australian affected by breast cancer đ¨ď¸ Quote from Vicki Durston, Director, Policy, Advocacy & Support Services, BCNA: âWe welcome these guidelines which give GPs clear direction on managing breast density and associated risk. We commend BreastScreen Australia for this comprehensive work and for embedding consumer perspectives. We now need strong national promotion so GPs can easily access this guidance, and we urge states that have not prioritised breast density notification to act to prevent widening inequities.â đ¨ď¸ Quote from BCNA Consumer Representative, Krysty Sullivan: âMy cancer was hidden by dense breast tissue, and I know how dangerous that can be. Mammograms are essential for all women over 40, but women with dense breasts may need additional screening. These new GP guidelines are a significant step to help women understand their risks and access extra screening that could save their lives. Iâm proud to have been one of the BCNA Consumer Representatives working alongside experts to help shape them, but cost and access will still hold too many women back. Early detection shouldnât depend on where you live or what you can afford. My cancer was found late; these guidelines can help ensure other women find theirs sooner. We urgently need the states and territories that are not yet reporting breast density to start.âđ Have you seen our latest awareness campaign bringing a bright splash of colour to the streets of Melbourne?
Together, weâve launched two specially wrapped SkyBuses to help raise awareness about breast cancer self checking across Melbourne and beyond. The wrap features Jess Pearce, a nurse and mum who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, and encourages all Australians to get to know their bodies and take action if they notice any changes. Thank you to Jess for her meaningful role in helping us to spread awareness. Our CEO Kirsten Pilatti joined Kinetic CEO Michael Sewards to unveil the first bus, which will you may have already seen roaming the streets of Melbourne! đˇ If you spot a bright pink bus among your travels, snap a pic and post in the social zone here! đ Weâre grateful to Kinetic for helping us share this message far and wide. đ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gjZpUMD9đą Wednesday Wellness - 05Nov25 đą
With all the busy-ness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the launch of the incredible Know yourself, feel yourself awareness campaign in Bondi, it's been a little while since we did a Wednesday Wellness check in! đŹ How are you all feeling today - physically, mentally, emotionally? Check out the following awesome ideas for creative ways you can offer yourself a moments (or a few!) of wellness in these coming weeks: đź Yoga4Cancer Series - Counterpart Gentle, supportive yoga designed for women with cancer. Build strength, reduce stress, and connect with others in a safe space. Click here to book the Yoga4Cancer series đź Virtual Workshops â Look Good Feel Better This month, explore a range of free, live and interactive workshops designed to support people undergoing cancer treatment. From skincare and makeup tips to emotional wellbeing and gentle movement, these sessions offer practical tools and a sense of connectionâall from the comfort of home. Upcoming topics include: Skin Care & Makeup, Wigs & Headwear, and Feel Better Fridays - Join sessions like Chair Yoga, Meditation, Healthy Cooking, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to support your physical and emotional wellbeing. Click here to register for November virtual workshops đź TREK4BCNA - Take on the adventure of a lifetime! Youâre invited to join BCNA community ambassador Kristal in the TREK4BCNA to Mount Kilimanjaro this February. Whether itâs a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally, a way to show support for others, or to do a life changing trek in memory of someone you love, a group of like-minded people will walk by your side. Click here to learn more about TREK4BCNA đ We hope these ideas and opportunities help support your wellbeing this week- whether you're taking a moment to breathe, joining a workshop, or have something big coming up soon đ If you need further support and information, please reach out to our helpline on 1800 500 258, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
