Creative Corner!
CREATIVE CORNER: Because art is good for you Inspire and be inspired Creative Corner group is gone but that doesn't mean we should mute that creativity! Time to get inspired by each other. This thread is just for fun and expression, be it craft or drawing or photography, from a snap of your colouring-in to your take on a Degas painting, a wild exploration of your soul or just a stick figure you drew on the bus, you can share it here. Your work as well as your tips, tricks, tutorials, tasks, fun little DIY's, and anything that fuels your creative side are all welcome! Bookmark this thread (click the little star at the top right) to find it easily.
Acupuncture study at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
For ex-patients who have been treated for breast cancer at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney; they are recruiting people who completed the cancer treatment but still experience pain, fatigue , sleep disturbance and/or numbness / tingling to participate in an acupuncture study that will run for 6 weeks from mid August to September. Free of charge. At the Living Room (for info livingroom.research@lh.org.au)
Research Study - Western Sydney University (Free yoga)
Hello members, Our BCNA Policy and Advocacy team have provided the current study information that may be of interest to some of our members: Researchers at Western Sydney University are undertaking a 6-week clinical trial exploring the impact of either group yoga classes or individual yoga sessions for improving mental health in people diagnosed with cancer. Who can participate? You may be eligible to participate if you - Have been diagnosed with either breast cancer or gynaecological cancer (ovarian, uterine, cervical, etc) in the last 5 years - Are not currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy; however, you may be receiving stable hormone-blocking therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy - Have increased symptoms of depression and/or anxiety - Have adequate general health to be involved in a yoga program - Have reliable access to the internet and a device with a web camera - Are aged 18 or older What’s involved? To register your interest to participate in this clinical trial, you will complete and submit an anonymous online survey. The purpose of the survey is to assess your eligibility to participate in this clinical trial. Participants who meet the preliminary criteria to participate will be asked to submit their contact information, which will be used by a clinical trial officer to arrange a teleconferencing screening call. If you are eligible, you will be randomly allocated to either group yoga classes or individual yoga sessions. Group yoga classes if you are allocated to group yoga sessions you will be required to attend six (6) yoga classes with a qualified yoga teacher online via the Zoom platform over a 6-week period. You will also be asked to do additional yoga practice between classes, and record your practice weekly. Individual yoga sessions If you are allocated to this group you will be required to attend six (6) one-on-one yoga sessions with a qualified yoga teacher online over the Zoom platform over a 6-week period. You will also be asked to do additional yoga practice between sessions, and record your practice weekly. During the program, all participants will complete a short (10 min) weekly survey and 3 sets of questionnaire and assessment measures (approximately 30 min each) as well as having occasional 5–10 min phone calls with a research team member. Interested in participating in this study? To indicate your interest in participating in the study, please visit NICM HRI | Online yoga and mental health in cancer study or contact Maria Gonzalez NICM Health Research Institute, Study Chief Investigator - PhD Candidate, by emailing m.gonzalez2@westernsydney.edu.au Complementary therapies can improve your physical and emotional wellbeing. They can also help you to manage some of the side effects of breast cancer treatments, such as anxiety, pain and fatigue. Yoga is a form of complimentary therapy. While many complementary therapies can be very helpful, it is a good idea to talk to a member of your medical team before starting anything new. This will help you to prevent any possible effects that the therapy may have on your breast cancer treatments or general health. You can check out BCNA's website for more information regarding complimentary therapies https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/complementary-and-alternative-medicines-and-therapies/complementary-therapies/
Micropapillary
Hello everyone, I was diagnosed with invasive micropapillary breast cancer 2 weeks ago. I only had an 8 mm tumour but unfortunately 1.5mm micrometastisis was found in my sentinal node. I had a bilateral mastectomy and the offending node removed. In the UK 1.5 mm micrometastisis is regarded as a nil read and no further treatment necessary. I have been told here because it’s a rare cancer (micropapillary) I must have chemo and radiotherapy. I am in a dilemma as I feel as if I am being rail roaded in the medical machine. I know the doctors are good people. But I just think the treatment is so harsh. I am scared of the long term side effects of chemo and radiation as I am a natural health rep and in my industry have had many negative opinions of this and the big Pharma machine. That said I want to live and don’t trust naturopaths either as unsure if there is enough evidence to put my life in their hands. My head is about to explode! I’ve always led a healthy lifestyle and feel a loser if I talk the talk and don’t walk the walk. Has anyone out there had micropapillary and cured it naturally? Im dreading Chemo side effects
Herbs , vitamins and minerals
Was reading an article today which mentioned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre site so thought I’d put the web address up again as many of us like to try complementary therapies. Thankyou to the people who told me about this site as I have found it both interesting and useful on several occasions but that said always check with your medical team as well. Here it is www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/herbal-remedies-and-treatment It details how a complementary therapy works , what it’s benefits/side effects are and also what medicines they conflict with.Well worth a look.
Friday Update.
Hello and welcome to the Friday update! Community Highlights We have 16 new members. Please welcome Hammer, polar993, blondie59 and all our new members. This week we had 48 posts and 321 comments. There has been a variety of topics being shared & discussed this week. Here are some you may have missed - Hormone Therapy- Kate13 The hardest thing was lack of support - Perranporth Crochet: Craft as therapy - EarthWalkerLisha Air expanders - naomi.g BCNA News & Events The Online Network is getting a makeover. To find out more click here. To join the conversation click here. Sharing is caring - You are invited to participate in a research project entitled Sharing is caring: An exploration of factors impacting the quality of life in online network breast cancer participants. This project is being conducted by a student researcher Katerina Nemcova as part of a Psychology Honours study at Victoria University under the supervision of Dr. Anthony Love from the Discipline of Psychology, College of Arts, Victoria University. To participate click here. Qld Forums - Held in rural, regional and metropolitan locations around Australia, our Information Forums are free events for women and men diagnosed with breast cancer, and their partners, family and supporters. Our next forums will be held in Mackay, Brisbane (This forum will include separate sessions specifically for women living with secondary breast cancer) and Roma. To register for a forum click here. Pink lady luncheons - We are excited to announce that this year we will be taking our Pink Lady Luncheons to five locations around the country – Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Held in the prelude to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the luncheons are a special opportunity to enjoy an exquisite day out in support of all Australians affected by breast cancer. We hope you can join us! New inspired adventures - Our exciting new Inspired Adventure has just been launched and we are heading to the Great Aussie Outback! BCNA’s Great Aussie Outback Trek will see you discover the beauty of Central Australia and explore the mountains, valleys, rivers and desert landscapes of the Red Centre while raising vital funds for BCNA. What are you waiting for? Find out more and sign up here First Class Hampers - Are you looking for a gift for a special friend? Remember our partners First Class Hampers have designed a range of hampers specifically for BCNA. $5 from each hamper purchased from the range will be donated back to BCNA. Click here to take a look at the range. Entertainment Book - Hundreds of valuable deals are available within the hard-copy books and digital apps specifically designed for 16 different regions around Australia. Get your hands on offers from some of the best local restaurants, cafes, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel, theatre, sports and leisure activities and more. Share with your friends and purchase your membership today and BCNA will receive 20 per cent of every book sold! Click here to find out more. Have a lovely weekend, Ann-Marie xx
Complementary Therapies
I am not looking for a miracle cure but just wondering if anyone has had any success with complementary/natural/ alternative ideas while underdoing and/or recovering from chemo. No doubt everyone has had plenty of those around that mean well with all of the miracle cures - oxygen therapy, soursop tea, mushroom tea and the like. I like the idea of natural healing and anything that could assist with recovery without interfering with treatment interests me.
