Newly diagnosed - October 2024
Hi everyone! Diagnosed just 3 and a half weeks ago. Everything happened so fast. Just had a lumpectomy on Tuesday. 2 lymph nodes removed. I'm 58, mum had breast cancer in the past - she's ok. My tumour was estrogen positive and progesterone positive. HER2 negative. 2cm lump, contained. Radiation in 6 weeks and then endocrine therapy - hormone tablets. Recovering well. Emotions up and down. Doing the exercises given by the nurses. Too much going on in my life right now - brother-in-law has terminal brain cancer and my kids' aunty now has terminal cancer. Not sure how to cope right now with the other family members and myself too. It's like a bad dream you can't wake up from. I have to concentrate on my own health, stay calm and accept what is. Life is challenging isn't it? Nice to be here to connect with other women.112Views0likes6CommentsBCNA welcomes pharmacy prescription changes for breast cancer medications
Six key breast cancer drugs are now more affordable thanks to 60-day prescribing. BCNA is pleased to confirm that six common types of hormone blocking therapies such as letrozole, anastrozole and tamoxifen, amongst others, are now able to be prescribed 60-days at a time, saving consumers time and money. “It is especially important that we work to reduce the cost of hormone blocking therapies for breast cancer as some are required for ten years or more after active treatment finishes,” said BCNA Director Policy, Advocacy & Support Services Vicki Durston. “Reducing the ongoing cost of these drugs will start to address financial toxicity and improve equity, especially for those in lower socioeconomic groups who already experience disparities in access to breast cancer care.” BCNA advocated strongly in support of 60-day prescribing last year, alongside other groups such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Read more via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/bcna-welcomes-pharmacy-prescription-changes-for-breast-cancer-medications/ and also refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care information sheet https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/savings-with-60-day-prescriptions_0.pdf361Views2likes11CommentsHelp 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!621Views0likes10CommentsCentral Coast Support Lunch
The Central Coast Support Lunch today was a lovely time of sharing experiences, offering encouragement and enjoying great food. Our guest speaker was Jane, who shared information about BCNA's latest projects and resources with us - thanks so much Jane. We all appreciate the wonderful work that BCNA does to support women during their breast cancer experience. Thank you all for your great company.41Views0likes3CommentsFriday 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 xx61Views0likes2Comments