Online video information session now available on website
Hi everyone, Our inaugural online video information session for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer was a huge success on Wednesday night with over 100 people participating. The session provided practical tips to help you through this time and guidance on how to make the treatment decisions that are best for you. Speakers were: Caroline Baker, breast surgeon Kathryn Wallace, breast care nurse Renee Gani, breast cancer survivor To see the webcast, click on this link. You will need to register to view the webcast (if you haven’t already) and then login.
The Beacon - 1st September 2022 Edition
Greetings everyone, The latest issue #92 of The Beacon is available now and should arrive in your inbox today. Alternatively you can access it here via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/the-beacon-magazine/issue-92-september-2022/ There is also a 'Download' option if you prefer to read it as a PDF. Enjoy!Optimal care pathway for people with breast cancer
The BCNA Member Support team would like to share the link to the quick reference guide Optimal care pathway for people with breast cancer CC QRG Breast 2021.pdf (cancervic.org.au) The optimal care pathways describe a model of cancer care that puts the patient at the centre of care decisions. They describe a national standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians should expect. The aim of the model is to improve patient outcomes through promoting quality cancer care and ensuring that all people diagnosed with cancer receive the best care, irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment (Cancer Council VIC, 2021). The Cancer Council are in the process of refreshing the consumer version of the optimal care pathways. You can find more information in relation to the optimal care pathways on the Cancer Council website Optimal cancer care pathways | Cancer Council References Cancer Council VIC. (2021). Optimal care pathways for people with breast cancer. https://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/health-professionals/ocp/CC%20QRG%20Breast%202021.pdf
BCNA Information Forum - recordings available soon
Hi everyone, 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. The forum will also take place online, with sessions occurring in our main presentation room being shared live on Zoom. 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. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet others in the local Mission Beach community. You can register to attend either in-person or online by clicking here. The presentations will be made available to view on-demand following the Information Forum but we would love to see you on the day, whether that be in-person or via Zoom. Please feel free to share the registration link with friends and family. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post them below. Many thanks, @Carissa_BCNAFriday Update - 10th March 2023
Hello Online Network members, Hope you are enjoying a lovely Autumn day if you live in Melbourne; it truly is a beautiful season. Reflecting on some of the Online Network’s February activity, it was nice to see that the most activity has been visible in ‘Social Groups’ (private groups). If you have not checked out the variety of groups that may be relevant to your needs, please head to the link Groups Take care and enjoy. Community Highlights Revised Group The private PALB2 Gene Group has been changed to Hereditary Genetic Mutations and Breast Cancer to encompass individuals affected by any genetic mutation that may relate to an increased risk of brest cancer. February 2023 Activity In February the Online Network had 93 new discussions; 596 new comments and 15,032 visits to the community Popular Forum Discussions If you have missed some of the most active discussions in the past few weeks, you can check them out below: New Group Proposal - No Reconstruction post Breast Cancer Surgery What Care Givers do ...... Not doing so well Letrozole - Fracture in spine Mastectomy Posts by 'Category Name' February 2023 Community News BCNA News – 07 March 2023 More research is need into fear of breast cancer recurrence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, participants at a Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Think Tank heard last week BCNA part of first ever research into fear of breast cancer recurrence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women BCNA News – 02 March 2023 As Australia’s leading voice for people affected bu breast cancer, BCNA is proud its Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, has been elected president of the General Assembly of the ABC Alliance BCNA’s Director Policy, Advocacy and Support Services elected to international breast cancer body International Women's Day - 8th March 2023 Thankyou to those who supported or participated in the Carman's Fun Run last Sunday. BCNA are pleased to announced that with the work of fundraisers and event partners, we were able to raise over $255,000 to help support of Australians affected by breast cancer. World Lymphoedema Day – 6th March 2023 On World Lymphoedema Awareness Day BCNA is calling for improved equity of access to treatments for lymphoedema. Lymphoedema, which is swelling caused by damage to the lymph nodes, can affect many people following treatment for breast cancer. It is a lifelong condition that can require wearing expensive compression garments to manage the symptoms. The financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis is already significant without the ongoing costs to manage and treat lymphoedema. All states and territories run programs that subsidise lymphoedema compression garments, and BCNA is calling for further investment to make these programs even more accessible in the long term. BCNA celebrates advocates like Monique Bareham who says early diagnosis followed by evidence-based care is fundamental to living well with lymphoedema. ‘Compression is key to managing swelling and access to garments is essential.’ For more information on lymphoedema compression garment programs in your state/territory, see here: https://www.lymphoedema.org.au/.../compression-garment.../ Cancer Survivorship Conference The sixth national Cancer Survivorship Conference has been underway in Adelaide Convention Centre today and yesterday, Hosted by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia - COSA and Flinders University. There were some great speakers at the conference and BCNA held an exhibit there to engage with health professionals, researchers and consumers. A couple of my colleagues came across some practical information that Online Network members may find of interest. They met Rebecca who has gone through her own breast cancer experience and works for the organisation ‘Moo Goo’. Many of you know that the Moo Goo creams have been helpful for people during their radiation treatment and here is the link from our service finder if you would like to find out more MooGoo Prophylactic Measures and Skin Care During Treatment They also found sexual health physician Tonia Mezinni highly informative and engaging. You can check out further information about her via the link https://drtoniamezzini.com.au/ . We also have added another business to the BCNA service finder Olive & Bee This is a natural lubricant created by Claire Osterstock (Physiotherapist) in Adelaide who assist men and women with pelvic pain. The product was handed out after Tonia Mezinni’s session. BCNA presented three of its major projects on detailed posters: Surviving Breast Reconstruction: What Information Would Help Women; Making Metastatic Breast Cancer Count, and Out With Cancer: LGBTQI Cancer Survivorship and Care. Forums / Webcasts Warrnambool Information Forum 28th March 2023 BCNA have announced another face-to-face forum coming in March. You can see the latest discussion here through the Online Network: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/25352/upcoming-event-warrnambool-information-forum-28-march#latest Port Lincoln Information Forum 7th March 2023 – Recap to come soon The Port Lincoln forum was held this week and I look forward to sharing more details and recap of the event in the next update Books/ Movies / TV Series/ Documentaries Breast Cancer Now - The Chat – The UK’s first group messaging series is live Breast Cancer Now have created a new series called ‘The Chat’. Aimed at encouraging us to question how we speak about breast cancer, highlighting the importance of honesty and real talk in society that typically does not like to talk about. Inspired by real cancer stories – check it out Breast Cancer Now | The Chat That's all for this week and if you have any content you would like to see in the updates please feel free to share with me and I will try my best. @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 (AEDT), alternatively you can email helpline@bcna.org.au The mod team - Mez, Carissa, Jenny and Pat "She stood in the storm, & when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails." - Elizabeth EdwardsFriday Update - 22nd July 2022
Friday Update 22nd July 2022 Hi everyone, Welcome members old and new to the latest update. I hope you find the update and information provided useful. Please always feel free to provide feedback of information you would like to see, and I will always try my best to provide (Send me a private msg or comment in this discussion). We have had some lovely sunny, frosty days here in Melbourne. Here is a picture from my walk this morning. Take care. Community highlights Men living with breast cancer group We released a new podcast today (details in this update). Therefore it is a timely reminder about the online network private group Men living with breast cancer . This is a private group for men who have breast cancer, whether recently diagnosed, or living with the disease. Partners are welcome to join this group. There are no topics off limits, so feel free to ask questions, give advice, form friendships, or just know you are not alone in the world of pink. Popular forum discussions Members new and old may have missed some of the forum discussions that have been most active the past fortnight: 1. 5 years and all good - yabbadabbadoo!! 2. Eyebrows 3. Chemo side effects 4. Roller-coaster of a Ride - Sad, Scared and feeling paraysed Posts by ‘Category’ Name’ 9 Jul 22 – 22 Jul 22 Community News Did you miss the BCNA Launceston TAS forum? BCNA hosted its second Information Forum for 2022 in Launceston, Tasmania for people living with breast cancer. There were two concurrent information sessions throughout the day - one for people with early breast cancer and one for people with metastatic breast cancer. We heard from a number of guest speakers, including medical oncologist and supportive care physician Dr Ben Forster on the latest in treatment and care, and oncology senior social worker Dr Carrie Lethborg on managing the challenges of living with breast cancer. To watch the on-demand videos of each presentation, please click here. Breast Cancer Statistics 2022 The 2022 breast cancer statistics have just been released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. These statistics provide insight into how Australians are affected by breast cancer today. The number of women and men being diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing; however the mortality rate continues to decrease. The chance of surviving at least five years (five-year relative survival) has risen to 91.8 percent. This means that Australia has one of the best breast cancer survival rates in the world. You can read more on the BCNA website page Understanding breast cancer Counterpart Online Workshop – How to live well with metastatic cancer Date: Wednesday, 27/07/2022 Time: 11.00am–12.00pm Counterpart are running a session next week, facilitated by cancer support nurse and counsellor, Tracey Moroney. Tracey works at Ringwood Private Hospital coordinating the cancer support service which includes counselling and psychological support, cancer support groups and education forums. She will give a short presentation and then open up discussion and sharing for the women present. CLICK HERE for more info Cancer Australia – Strengthening the Australian Cancer Plan through collaboration Cancer Australia has been working with stakeholders and the Department of Health and Aged Care across the cancer system to develop the first Australian Cancer Plan (ACP). The aim of the ACP is to provide an overarching national approach to cancer control that meets the needs of all Australians now and in the future and will address unacceptable disparities in outcomes. To read more and sign up to receive regular updates go to the link Cancer Australia | Update July 2022 (australiancancerplan.gov.au) Webcasts - Register Now! In this webcast, we will hear from Medical Oncologist Professor Fran Boyle, Metastatic Breast Care Nurse Alice Gibson, BCNA Consumer Representative Ros Casperson and BCNA member Cybele Orton. Fran practices at the Mater Hospital in Sydney and is a professor at Sydney Medical School. Her research focuses on breast cancer treatment, supportive care and health professional communication. Alice has been a breast care nurse since 2018 and supports her patients and their families as they navigate the complexities that come with their diagnosis. Ros is a young mum who has lived with metastatic breast cancer for over five years and Cybele was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2010. Genetic testing showed Cybele had the BRCA2 gene mutation, prompting her to have a double mastectomy and hormone-blocking treatment. Then, in 2017 she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The webcast will address what is important to know in those first few weeks after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer including navigating the health system, treatment options, identifying key members of your treating team, and the support and care available to you Register now via the following link: https://bit.ly/metastatic-webcast-bcna Did you miss Ask the Expert digital event with Dr Michelle White on managing side effects of hormone blocking treatment? Dr Michelle White and BCNA Consumer Representative Kym Berchtenbreiter discuss the side effects of hormone blocking treatment and how to manage them. The video is now available to be viewed on-demand https://bit.ly/3nGDe1w Podcasts Episode 45: In Conversation with Harry and Pieter: Raising awareness for men with breast cance Let’s be Upfront about men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Joining us for this In Conversation episode are Harry and Pieter. Harry was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2005 and metastatic breast cancer in 2018. Pieter was diagnosed with triple-positive grade 3 breast cancer in 2021, five years after losing his wife to the same disease. During this candid conversation between Harry and Pieter, we’ll hear their stories, including their initial reaction to their diagnosis, the biggest challenges they faced, who they went to for support and why they want to help spread awareness of the disease for other men. Listen via this link or wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.bcna.org.au/.../episode-45-in-conversation.../ (Here are some pics of Harry & Pieter from the recent Pink Lady Match at the MCG) That is all for today. Hope you found the update informative and if you have feedback or any concerns while online, please contact one of the moderators: @Jenny_BCNA @Carissa_BCNA @Anna_BCNA @Pat_BCNA @Mez_BCNA If you need to speak with someone regarding your concern, please call 1800 500 258 alternatively, you can email contact@bcna.org.au Take care, The mod team – Mez, Carissa, Jenny, Anna & Pat “If you have the power to make someone happy today, do it. The world needs more of that” – Unknown Author
