Field of Women - Sunday 20th August 2023
We have a date!!! The Field of Women is back, and we want you to join us On Sunday 20 August, before the Round 23 AFL Pink Lady match between Melbourne and Hawthorn, over 10,000 people will walk onto the hallowed turf of the MCG to form the Pink Lady. It’s been five years since the last Field of Women and we can’t wait to stand together once again, united in support of everyone affected by breast cancer and remember those we have sadly lost. Pre-sale tickets are available for a limited time at 10 per cent off the standard ticket prices. Buy tickets at https://www.fieldofwomen.org.au Use promo code BCNA10 and click 'Apply Code'.Friday Update - 1st September 2023
Welcome to spring everyone! It feels like Field of Women has flown by us, however I would love to provide a recap on the wonderful day that it was. We also have Policy & Advocacy news in relation to a new drug recommended on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); Additionally, we have information on the 60-day prescriptions of the PBS medicines. Please share your own Field of Women photos! We would love to see them (If you are happy to share). Online Network Housekeeping: Several members have advised that sometimes emails from the Online Network (eg. notification emails) cannot be found in their Inbox. These messages will end up in your 'Junk' or 'Spam' folder, therefore it is a good idea to check those folders occasionally. Typically if you right click on the email and mark it as 'not junk' it will give you an option to 'Always trust this email' Community Highlights Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions last month, you can check them out via the links below: Totally confused after seeking second opinion need to connect chemo question please? Joining the shitty titty club... Extreme weakness! Posts by 'Category Name' 12 August - 31 August 2023 Featured Private Group - 'Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)' Created only last month, the new Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) private group aims to connect together individuals who are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Around 15 per cent of people with early breast cancer will have a sub-type called triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is a type of breast cancer that does not have any of the three receptors commonly found on breast cancer cells – the oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. This means they don't respond to treatments that block these receptors. TNBC generally respond well to chemotherapy. Read more via the My Journey article Triple negative breast cancer Community News BCNA News 22 August 2023 – BCNA celebrates recent PBAC decisions Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has welcomed a decision to recommend a crucial drug to treat early-stage triple negative breast cancer for a government subsidy CLICK HERE to read more BCNA News 01 September 2023 – 60-day dispensing prescriptions of PBS medicines Today BCNA welcomes the first day of 60-day dispensing for certain medications. This will make medicines cheaper for people living with chronic disease, including those with breast cancer. Although not in the first tranche, we look forward to hormone-blocking therapies used to treat some types of breast cancer being included in future rollouts of the program. Read our media release here. This morning, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler talks to ABC RN Breakfast about the changes. You can listen to the interview titled: 'Scare campaigns complete rubbish': 60-day pharmacy scripts introduced' here BCNA Social Post - Asking for a second opinion This is such a common topic and question we hear on the Helpline, therefore I thought I would share the social post here in the Friday update as well: We are often asked if it’s OK to get a second opinion from another health professional – whether that’s an oncologist, surgeon, GP or other health professional. Some people tell us they don’t want to offend their health professional or may not know how to go about requesting a second opinion. While you may initially be referred to a particular health professional, you do not need to stay with them. If you are unhappy about who you have been referred to, or just want to speak to someone else, it’s a good idea to seek a second opinion. When telling your health professional that you'd like a second opinion, be upfront and direct. Most will welcome a second opinion – they may even suggest it themselves. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. For more information on getting a second opinion: https://www.bcna.org.au/understandi.../your-medical-team/. Daily Mail – Major change coming to telehealth appointments from today Telehealth appointments are an important part of Australia's healthcare system with millions accessing the service every year. But there is one major change coming to telehealth appointments that patients need to know about CLICK HERE to read more Field of Women Reflecting on my first Field of Women, it was truly a wonderful day. I was humbled by the many lovely people who crossed my path and stood beside me on the MCG. The strength and sense of community I'll never forget. There were smiles, tears and moments of personal reflection I could see on people's faces; arms around each other in support and bright colours to shine a light on breast cancer. Thankyou to everyone who shared their story and I hope you enjoyed the day. You can now view photos and videos from the day via the links below: View photos here View live stream recording here BCNA Staff survey - Field of Women 2023 Here is my own little memory that I love from the day: BCNA Forums/Webcasts Coffs Harbour Information Forum BCNA is hosting an Information Forum in Coffs Harbour on the 7th of September 2023 for everyone affected by breast cancer, including their supporters, covering a range of vital topics CLICK HERE to register (Note: If you are unable to attend in person, you can still join us virtually. When registering, select ‘Information Forum – Attending Virtually’. The virtual session will be delivered via Zoom, and you will receive the access link one day before the event). Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries Great to see information about the upcoming Coffs Harbour Forum in the local news this week Coffs Coast News Of The Area 1 September 2023 - News Of The Area Thankyou for taking the time to read 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 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, Jenny, Pat, Denise and Risha "I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become". - Carl JungFriday Update - 2nd June 2023
Hello Online Network members, Winter has officially clicked over on the calendar and the crispy June air was certainly evident in Melbourne this morning. Check out the Cancer Council QLD article Ward off the winter blues: five tips to stay on top of your health this winter Here is a picture from my morning wander: Keep warm and enjoy the update! Community Highlights May activity In May the Online Network had 61 new discussions; 317 new comments and 14,707 visits to the community. Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions in the past month, you can check them out via the links below: Happy birthday wishes to @arpie Weight gain 10 Years Today Shoulder bursitis n tendons inflamation Choosing to stop treatment Posts by 'Category Name' May 2023 Community News BCNA Pink Bun Campaign BCNA’s ‘Pink Bun’ campaign ended on Wednesday and we hope you were able to visit your local Baker’s Delight during the month of May. Stores were transformed in support of BCNA and Australians affected by breast cancer (The final amount raised will be announced soon). You can watch our Bakers Delight franchisees Donna and Kim’s stories below: (Holly’s story was also shared in previous Friday Update Friday Update 19th May 2023) https://youtu.be/hrx9ah1IncM https://youtu.be/7ozgLAHzJ0U Field of Women 2023 We have a date!!! The Field of Women is back, and we want you to join us. On Sunday 20 August, before the Round 23 AFL Pink Lady match between Melbourne and Hawthorn, over 10,000 people will walk onto the hallowed turf of the MCG to form the Pink Lady. It’s been five years since the last Field of Women and we can’t wait to stand together once again, united in support of everyone affected by breast cancer and remember those we have sadly lost. Pre-sale tickets are available for a limited time at 10 per cent off the standard ticket prices. Buy tickets at https://www.fieldofwomen.org.au Use promo code BCNA10 and click 'Apply Code'. Providing psychological interventions and support to patients and their families who have a cancer diagnosis (BCNA Health Professionals News) Patients with a cancer diagnosis have significant needs that extend beyond just physical – it’s hugely emotional, psychologist Chloe Oliver told a special BCNA Information Forum - Living Well with Breast Cancer – held in Darwin in May. Chloe has spent the last seven years working in the field of psycho-oncology and palliative care and is based at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre (AWCCC) at Royal Darwin Hospital CLICK HERE to read further. New nurse joins McGrath Foundation’s mission (For our Geelong members!) - Geelong Times People with breast cancer in Geelong and surrounds can now benefit from the expert care and advice of the latest McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the region, Jess Morgan CLICK HERE to read further The University of Melbourne – Audio Recording Health care Appointments People who reside in Victoria may find this information helpful when considering audio recording during health consultations. This fact sheet sets out how the law in Victoria, Australia, applies to healthcare consultation audio recording. This advice is relevant for patients and their families https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/4560501/Audio-Recording-for-Patients-PLS-A4-2022.pdf Webcasts Do you live in Western Australia? Because we’re bringing our Living Well with Breast Cancer information forum to Karratha (20th June) and Bunbury (22nd June). At the information forums you will: - Hear from experts on various topics including wellbeing and treatments - Connect with others going through a similar experience - Find out about local support - Discover BCNA resources and services. To register or for more information about either event, click on the following links: Karratha Information Forum: https://bcna.live/KarrathaInfoForum Bunbury Information Forum: https://bcna.live/BunburyForum Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries As the Field of Women on the 20th of August 2023 approaches, I thought it would be nice to share this heartwarming video from 2014: https://youtu.be/gtnzIUvfp68 Take care everyone and if you have any feedback please feel free to comment below or send a private message. @Jenny_BCNA @Carissa_BCNA @Pat_BCNA @Mez_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, Carissa, Jenny and Pat "Individually we are one drop but together, we are an ocean" - Ryunosuke Akutagawa
