Stop telling women they are too young to have breast cancer
Early-onset breast cancer now accounts for over one-fifth of all breast cancer cases in Victoria, with 1,067 diagnoses out of 5,197 breast cancer cases. The increase is indicative of a national trend. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling for greater awareness, more research, and tailored prevention efforts to address the steady increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women aged 25 to 49, as highlighted in Cancer Council Victoria’s Cancer in Victoria 2023 report. For more information, read BCNA's Stop telling women they are too young to have breast cancer media release.Australian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk
Approximately 10% of women have high breast density. At this point in time, thousands of Australian women are being denied important information about their breast health which could empower them to better understand and manage their risk of breast cancer. BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, says Australia’s approach to population-based screening is not keeping pace with growing evidence that supports routine reporting of breast density. This due to the absence of national reporting standards and a lack of software in publicly funded screening services that can effectively measure breast density. “Every woman has the right to know and understand her breast cancer risk through standardised breast density reporting,” she says. “For those identified as high-risk or with high breast density, it is essential that clear options and pathways are available to support early detection and proactive risk management.” Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is currently advocating for a unified national approach to reporting breast density through Australia's national population-based breast screening program – BreastScreen. Mammography images showing the difference between spotting cancer in a fatty breast (top) vs dense breast (bottom). It's like "spotting a snowman in a snow storm". You can read BCNA's media release via the link Australian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk Read ABC's feature piece on our advocacy efforts: Mandatory breast density reportingTogether for breast cancer - BCNA
With October being breast cancer awareness month, we wanted to share updates with you throughout! So simply scroll down this post to see updates within the comments! Breast Cancer Awareness Month starts today, and it’s the perfect time to get together with your community to support Australians affected by breast cancer. We love to see the Pink Sports Day clubs kicking off the month the right way with their #PLAY4BCNA activities. Here are a few fantastic photos from our Pink Sports Day hosts so far this year! Host your own Pink Sports Day with your club or school team this month by registering here https://www.bcna.org.au/host-a-fundraising-event/ Together we're helping all Australians affected by breast cancer.2023 Breast Cancer Statistics in Australia
Hello Online Network members. As we head into Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, statistics from the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Cancer data in Australia is now available on the BCNA website as an infographic: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/9216/bcna_stats_infographic_sept13_2023.pdf Please reach out to the Helpline Team 1800 500 258 if you have any feedback or questionsChest 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 pages’ banners are the worst misinformation propagator of ‘women-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 don’t switch to extreme stereotypes either, like typically the most wrinkly hand being held by an age-contrast hand, in copy-cat robots’ stock-photos marketing. While you’re 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; it’s 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 “Genderless breast cancer affects all”, in green? Avoid gender-colour. Members posting please use neutral communication instead of all these ‘lovely ladies’. 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 person’s life. No, it is not acceptable to shove males, children, and so-name-called CALD (we are all of us diverse multicultural so it’s not right for one group to name call the ‘others’ 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 don’t care. As if you’re not one of us. It is not fair to burden this task on the shoulders of the ‘not one of us’ 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 ‘male’, ‘men’, and topic ‘Inclusion’ 2019? on this site, to listen, to hear, to understand, to be kinder. Let’s mark today’s date 20-Mar-2026 awaiting action. We are counting, each day. More suffering. Any effective action. Please. With hope and thanks. [Edit: Tagging PeterB and traveltext to acknowledge and show appreciation.]Pink Bun is back!
Pink Bun is back! From today to 21 May 2025, at Bakers Delight bakeries across the country have turned pink to show their support for Australians affected by breast cancer Pink Bun 2025! Buy a Fun Bun, or even better, a 6 pack! 100% of sales go directly to BCNA and they're available at all Bakers Delight bakeries from 1 to 21 May. 🔗Find out how to get involved and find your nearest bakery via the link Support the Pink Bun Campaign 2025 You can also check out the broadcast on Channel 9's Today show earlier today Today Show Channel 9Finally counted: A milestone for Victorians living with metastatic breast cancer
For the first time, Victoria has counted everyone living with metastatic breast cancer in the state, marking a major step forward for visibility, recognition, and support. New data released by the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) estimates that 4,461 Victorians are living with metastatic breast cancer, making them visible in the health system and ensuring their needs can are not overlooked. This achievement is the result of decades of consumer-led advocacy by Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), collaboration with the Victorian Cancer Registry and Cancer Council Victoria, and the determination of women living with metastatic breast cancer who have long called for change. Read more via the link Finally counted: A milestone for Victorians living with metastatic breast cancerEvery story counts
3,863 Queenslanders living with metastatic breast cancer have been counted, ending years of invisibility for this community and making sure they are seen and recognised in the health system for the first time. When we recognise the real people behind the data, we can create positive change for all, and help shape better care, support and research for Australians affected by breast cancer. Now is the time for other state and territories to act, and make sure every Australian living with metastatic breast cancer is seen, heard, and counted. Read more via the link Landmark step for women with metastatic breast cancer in QueenslandWe’re here for you❤️
We’re here for you this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and every month after. Our Helpline team is available on 1800 500 258 Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm to take your calls and provide information and support. BCAM can be an overwhelming time for those affected by breast cancer, but BCNA has resources to support you during this time: BCNA’s Online Network- Share stories, ask for advice and offer support in our online community https://www.bcna.org.au/online-network/ My Journey- personalised information and tools to support you including our new notes feature to keep track of questions for your healthcare team, appointments and medications https://www.bcna.org.au/my-journey/ Information and resources hub- articles, stories, videos and podcasts https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/ For more information visit our website https://www.bcna.org.au/Friday Update 12th October 2023
Greetings everyone, Welcome to the Thursday 'Friday Update'. We are into the swing of Breast Cancer Awareness Month here at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and I will share several of the highlights we mention throughout the month of October. This month can bring different thoughts, feelings and reflections for many of you; please connect with the people in your life who support you (including the Online Network community). You can always reach out to the BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258. Check out our CEO Kirsten Pilatti's message about the significance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month https://youtube.com/shorts/TSg4si9iw-M?si=ARZqofcW2SFRXhKn Community Highlights September 2023 Activity During the month of September the Online Network had 68 new discussions; 430 comments and 17,832 visits to the community. Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions in September, you can check them out via the links below: IMPORTANT: BCNA's Online Network is getting a security upgrade 13th September 2023 Extensive DCIS Ice gloves - ideas needed please Treatment for post chemo soft nails Xeloda Posts by 'Category Name' September 2023 Featured Private Group 'Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Breast Cancer' Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Breast Cancer This private group was set up to connect people with Autism and a diagnosis of breast cancer. Feedback from members, is that often the additional challenges faced by someone with ASD while navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, are not always understood by all. This space will hopefully allow you to connect, support and share your experiences with others going through a similar journey. Community News Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides the opportunity for us to draw attention to the ongoing impact of breast cancer on those diagnosed and their supporters. In our 25th year, BCNA continues to connect you with the information, resources, and support you need whether you are someone diagnosed, a family member, support person, or a health professional providing care. 'Living well, your way' A diagnosis of breast cancer looks different for everyone, and there is no one way to ‘live well’ during or following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast cancer affects people long after active treatment has finished. For some people, including those living with metastatic breast cancer, treatment never finishes. There are often long-term impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. These impacts could be physical, psychosocial, or financial. It is likely that you will require different types of support at different times after your initial diagnosis of breast cancer. Living well, your way aligns to the third year of BCNA’s Policy and Advocacy Strategy, you can read more about how we use this strategy to advocate on behalf of our network here. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, keep an eye on our website or social media as we share resources and stories that can support you or someone you care for to live well. SWIISH WALK4BCNA - This Weekend! We invite you to this inaugural event proudly supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). The SWIISH WALK4BCNA will see registrants participate in a 4km or 8km walk around Metcalfe Park, Sydney followed by a family friendly festival. The festival will include food vendors, health and fitness retailers, SWIISH and BCNA merchandise, children’s activities, yoga, massage and other wellness activations including a chill out zone. BCNA’s signature Mini-Field of Women area will be a space where participants can pay tribute to those affected by breast cancer. We are excited to partner with SWIISH to bring you this fantastic event! Register now (Virtual walk option available) International Flat Closure Day - 7th October 2023 Staying flat and feeling stronger for it On Flat Closure Awareness Day read Grace’s story about her decision to not have a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Going flat is also called aesthetic flat closure (AFC). It involves chest wall reconstruction to create a smooth appearance with no extra skin left behind following a mastectomy for breast cancer. Aesthetic flat closure is an important option that should be discussed ahead of a mastectomy. It is important to have all the information you need to make an informed decision. “This decision needs to be about you – not anyone else. Remaining flat has had a positive effect on my mental health. I feel so much stronger, confident, and courageous”, says Grace. Read more of Grace’s story in the October edition of The Beacon: https://www.bcna.org.au/the-beacon/ Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day- 13th October 2023 In the lead up to Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 13 October, we recognise the work of Dr Sophie Lewis and her colleagues. Published in the journal Sociology of Health & Illness, Dr Lewis’ recent article explores some of the challenges those living with metastatic breast cancer may experience regarding social isolation. The article, which draws on interviews with 38 Australian women, highlights the importance of focusing policy and research attention on identifying new ways of supporting women with metastatic breast cancer, and those around them, to negotiate flexible social bonds, ensuring women feel secure and connected. Read the article, which supports our theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Living Well, Your Way - here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13704 Breast Cancer Trials Online Q&A: Triple Negative Breast Cancer - 24th October 2023 Breast Cancer Trials will be holding an online Q&A where you will hear from women with a history of triple negative breast cancer and from world-leading researchers on the latest in research and clinical trials to improve treatments and patient outcomes. Read more via the link Click here to visit the event website BCNA Forums/Webcasts Mission Beach Forum We are holding an Information Forum in Mission Beach on Tuesday 24 October, 9.00am - 3.00pm. This will be our last in-person Information Forum for 2023. During the event, you will hear from - Those with a lived experience of breast cancer Medical Oncologist, Dr Michelle White Clinical Psychologist, Chloe Oliver Sexual Health Physician, Dr Tonia Mezzini Exercise Physiologist, Jody Spicer Physiotherapist, Maebh Coleman Deirdre Maunsell, Breast Care Nurse We will cover current and emerging treatments, sexual health, strategies to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing and share local services and support with more speakers and topics to be announced shortly. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet others in your local community. You can register to attend in person or online. To register please click here. Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries Have you checked out our new website recently? https://www.bcna.org.au/ We would encourage you to check it out! Our new Information & Resources Hub allows you to easily search and filter the new website for the content you need. Hope you enjoyed the update. Please take care and if you have any questions or feedback please messaged of our Online Network moderators below: @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA , @Risha_BCNA, @Denise_BCNA, @Daina-BCNA , @Georgie_BCNA If you wish to speak with the Helpline team regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm (AEST), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au The mod team - Mez, Daina, Pat, Denise and Risha "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much" - Helen Keller
