Friday Update (On Thursday!) - 28th March 2024
Hi everyone, It's a Friday Update on a Thursday! I deliver you an early Friday update as the BCNA office will be closed over the Easter period (5:00pm tonight, and will re-open on Tuesday 2nd April at 9:00 am) . Remember the Online Network is always here to help and you can request the Helpline team to call you back when we reopen by filling out this Form For information and resources about breast cancer, you can access our website https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/ Wishing you a lovely Easter and however you mark the occasion, I hope it is with joy. Take care. Community Highlights March Activity March so far has seen 72 new discussions; 542 new comments and 15,913 visits to the community. Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions in the last few weeks, you can check them out via the links below: Struggling through Chemo New to This Anxiety Plus Slow Down Project Newly Diagnosed - Radiation Side Effects? Posts by 'Category Name' March 2024 Community News Election commitments fall sort to fix lack of access to public diagnostic mammography in Tasmania BCNA has been long been advocating for improvements in access to public diagnostic mammography in Tasmania Read Further Details Here STUDY: Fear of Cancer Recurrence among First Nations people with Breast Cancer Findings from the first study on fear of recurrence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Dr Kate Anderson from the University of Queensland, said many in the study worried about their cancer coming back or getting worse. “I think (better information) would have helped me a lot, because I felt like I was on my own and I was feeling this on my own” – from the study. You can read the full study via the link Fear of Cancer Recurrence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Volunteer for Pink Bun campaign Amazing opportunity to support your local Bakers Delight to raise funds in support of BCNA! Check out the volunteer opportunities in your state and if it sounds like something you would like to be part of, please apply Volunteer for Pink Bun campaign Check out the short video from last year's campaign: https://youtube.com/shorts/lR7cUGAu48Y?si=urg8l559M7S5p1Bk Research (Medical Xpress) Interesting research coming out of the UK. Scientists have discovered how breast cancer cells can "hibernate" to avoid treatment and "wake up" years later causing a relapse that is more difficult to treat. Research uncovers how to target 'sleeping' breast cancer cells and prevent relapse BCNA Forums/Webcasts BCNA is coming to Tasmania as part of our free national Information Forum series. We are bringing leading experts to events in Devonport on Tuesday 30 April and Hobart on Thursday 2 May to talk on a range of breast cancer topics. Our events are for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or who is living with or after a breast cancer diagnosis, as well as supporters. REGISTER FOR DEVONPORT HERE REGISTER FOR HOBART HERE Event details for Devonport and Hobart: Date: Devonport Tuesday 30 April; Hobart Thursday 2 May Time: 9.00am for 9.30am start – 3.00pm Refreshments will be served on arrival from 9.00am and a light lunch will be provided. Location: Paranaple Convention Centre, Market Square, 137 Rooke St, Devonport RACV Hobart Hotel, 154-156 Collins St, Hobart RSVP: Tuesday 23 April There will be two information sessions held each day – one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. Please register for the appropriate session for your diagnosis. If you can’t attend in person, you can join us online. 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. If you require any assistance, please contact events@bcna.org.au We look forward to seeing you in person or online! Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries As Lymphoedema Awareness Month comes to a close I thought I would share Pia Jorgensen's talk at BCNA's Bunbury Information forum: https://youtu.be/pKsMwDmF6gY?si=TLLixMx5EjmGdXPp Hope you have a lovely weekend and if you have any feedback please feel free to comment below or send a private message. The Mod Team - @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA @Daina-BCNA @Kate_BCNA @Denise_BCNA @Risha_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 (AEDT), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au "It doesn't cost me anything to be kind". - PaddingtonFriday Update (On Thursday!) - 25th January 2024
Hello everyone and welcome to the first 'Friday Update for 2024'. Happy New Year! However you spent your time over the New Year, we hope it was with people you love and doing the things you enjoy. The Online Network has welcomed 81 new members in January so far. As many of you have witnessed, the forum is such a supportive environment where you can ask any question and one of our members will respond. We again want to extend a huge thank you to all of our amazing long-time Online Network members who ensure that new members are made to feel welcome and comfortable to post their thoughts. Housekeeping A reminder about a couple of links that may be helpful in navigating the Online Network. These can be found under 'Community Info' along with other helpful posts: Community Guidelines September 2019 Navigating the online community Community Highlights January Activity January so far has seen 63 new discussions; 501 new comments and 15,725 visits to the community. Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions in the last few weeks, you can check them out via the links below: The “journey” begins. When is your birthday? Get it out now or wait and think? Here we (I) go Vaginal atrophy. Why didn't someone warn me? Posts by 'Category Name' January 2024 Community News Breast Density Screening - The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) has recently published a position statement on breast density. BCNA and the RANZCR believe telling people about breast density should be a routine part of breast screening across Australia to help people manage their risk. Currently it is only reported in some states and territories. About 40 per cent of women in Australia have increased breast density – this is the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue in a woman’s breasts compared with the amount of fatty tissue in the breast. Breast density can make it harder to identify breast cancer on a mammogram and is also its own risk factor for breast cancer. We will be working alongside partner organisations to advocate for improvements to Australia’s breast screening to make it more personalised based on individual risk, which can include breast density. If you are worried about breast density, or any other breast cancer risk factors, ensure you speak to your GP. See here for the RANZCR position statement and recent media. https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/krysty-s-mammogram-was-clear-but-that-didn-t-mean-she-was-cancer-free-20240102-p5eupi.html https://www.ranzcr.com/college/document-library/202312-ranzcr-breast-density-position-statement COVID-19 vaccinations Are you up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations? With COVID-19 on the rise it is important to keep yourself and those around you safe so that our healthcare systems can continue to deliver care where it is needed. The new year is a good time to speak to your GP about whether you are due for a booster vaccination. This is particularly important for those in active treatment for breast cancer, to help keep you safe. If you’re in an indoor public place, on public transport or in a crowded setting, a fitted facemask can help protect you. If you are having treatment for breast cancer and test positive for COVID-19, it's important to let your oncologist or treating team know as soon as possible. BCNA has continued to update a suite of content about COVID-19 and breast cancer on My Journey https://myjourney.org.au/article/3154 Australian women who find breast lumps tell of lengthy wait times for diagnostic mammograms In short: People who need mammograms are speaking out about the long wait times to access the service — and the ensuing anxiety and costs associated with the delay. One in seven women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer What's next? The Breast Cancer Network of Australia says governments need to ramp up funding for clinics and financial support for those who need to travel for diagnosis and treatment Read full article HERE and listen to BCNA's Vicki Durston (Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services) discuss this issue further on ABC TAS Radio (fast forward to 26m:36s) https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/hobart-mornings/mornings/103350206 Carman's Fun Run 2024 Join us for the Carman’s Fun Run 2024 on Sunday 18 February. Held at the picturesque Elsternwick Park, get ready to lace up, run your best and have fun doing it. For more details on how to register head to our website page Carman's Fun Run 2024 You may have seen our BCNA Raelene Boyle asking you to join! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2bsPijBrJH/ YWCA Encore Programs The Encore Program is an award-winning free 8-week exercise and wellness program delivering low-impact, prescriptive land and water-based exercises, and information sessions, in a safe and supportive environment. Group numbers are limited to a maximum of 14 participants. Encore supports women in their breast cancer journey by helping them restore strength, mobility and flexibility as well as developing confidence and general wellbeing. New to YWCA is the exercise and wellness program specifically for METS participants only 6 Mar 2024 to 24 Apr 2024 (Program runs every Wednesday from 10am-12pm at the Macquarie Uni aquatic centre at North Ryde). Check out more programs via the link https://www.ywcaencore.org.au/programs https://www.ywcaencore.org.au/programs BCNA Forums/Webcasts Webcast - Persistent pain after breast cancer – addressing quality of life Many people can experience acute pain or discomfort in the initial stages of treatment for early breast cancer. However, for some people, pain may continue for weeks, months or years after treatment has finished. Persistent pain can present in varying forms, including, pain from surgery scars, phantom pain after a mastectomy, neuropathic pain associated with surgery or joint pain related to hormone-blocking treatments. We will explore this topic with insights from experts and discuss the support that may be available to you in our webcast Persistent pain after breast cancer – addressing quality of life on Wednesday 7 February @7:00pm (AEDT) You will hear from Professor Paul Glare, Pain Medicine Specialist; Dr Charlotte Tottman, Clinical Psychologist and Naveena Nekkalapudi, BCNA Consumer Representative. This webcast will address types of persistent pain associated with early breast cancer treatments, strategies to manage pain including exercise, psychosocial support and cognitive behavioural therapy and further resources and support that may be available to you. You will have the opportunity to submit your questions before and during the event REGISTER HERE Recording - Ask the Expert: Menopause - It's more than a hot flush! This online event provided strategies to manage menopausal symptoms and discussed the support available to assist with sexual and emotional wellbeing. We heard from Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician and Naveena Nekkalapudi, BCNA Consumer Representative Watch the webcast video Upcoming Information Forum! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information regarding BCNA's Information forum to be held in Murray Bridge SA on the 6th of March 2024 Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries Given that genetic testing and life insurance discrimination has received significant coverage this week. Here is an example story shared by Meg Herrmann covered by ABC: Genetic testing saves lives but can lead to discrimination when it comes to life insurance If you have more questions about genetic testing and life insurance, please email helpline@bcna.org.au Take care everyone and if you have any feedback please feel free to comment below or send a private message. The Mod Team - @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA @Daina-BCNA @Kate_BCNA @Denise_BCNA @Risha_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 (AEDT), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au "For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice". - T.S. Eliot'Understanding and Managing Pain with Metastatic Breast Cancer' Interactive Digital Event
Have you registered for tomorrow night's 'Ask the Expert' online event? Living with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can mean needing to manage pain. This can have both a physical and emotional impact. Through discussion with your treating team, there may be ways pain can be managed to help maintain quality of life. BCNA is hosting a webcast: Ask the Expert: Understanding and managing pain with metastatic breast cancer on Thursday 13 July 2023. You will hear from Dr. Belinda Yeo, Medical Oncologist. Dr. Yeo is jointly appointed to the Austin Hospital as a medical oncologist and Olivia Newtown-John Cancer Research Institute as a clinician scientist, located in Melbourne. She is also co-lead of the VCCC Research and Education Stream for breast cancer. This webcast will aim to increase knowledge about different types of pain and tips to assist in explaining your type of pain to your treating team. It will also include information about current therapies, and strategies to help maintain quality of life when living with pain associated with metastatic breast cancer. REGISTER VIA LINK https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/bc22ce.html
