📣Have you experienced differences in surgical quotes? We’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking to connect with our members living in Victoria who have received one quoted fee for surgery, and then either secured or discovered a lower cost elsewhere. Your experience can help highlight why greater transparency in healthcare costs is so important. 🌿 These insights will support advocacy efforts around the need for a transparent costs register, a topic very important to us here at BCNA that we will be working towards later this year. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please comment below "learn more" to share your experience. Every story makes a difference in creating a fairer, more informed system for all. ✨🗣️ Invitation to share your voice: Understanding Cancer Related Stigma Through Lived Experience
BCNA’s Consumer Engagement team is inviting members of our Online Network to share their experiences of stigma and shame following a cancer diagnosis. Cancer related stigma is not only about visible changes. It can be social, cultural, emotional, and systemic. It can affect how people see themselves, how others respond to them, and how safe they feel seeking care or support. These experiences are often deeply personal, and they can vary widely across communities, cultures, and healthcare settings. 🌏 Why your perspective matters In June, a BCNA trained Consumer Representative will be presenting at the Multinational Association of Supportive Cancer Care Australia Conference. This presentation will bring consumer voices into an international conversation about whole person care, supportive care, and the importance of patient partnership in addressing stigma. To ensure this presentation truly reflects the diversity of experiences across Australia, we are gathering insights from our broader network of members. 📝 Take part in the survey By completing this short survey, you will help shape the content of the presentation and strengthen the messages shared with clinicians, program leaders, policy makers, and researchers. Your voice will help ensure lived experience remains central to conversations about stigma, care, and support. 👉 Take the survey here 🗓️ The survey closes on Friday 8 May 2026 📩 If you have any questions, please contact satt@bcna.org.au Thank you for considering sharing your experience and helping amplify the voices of people affected by cancer.🌸 Research opportunity: Healthy lifestyle support after breast cancer
Women across Australia are invited to take part in a research study exploring views on exercise and nutrition support after a breast cancer diagnosis 💗. This study aims to better understand what encourages or discourages participation in lifestyle programs, when support feels most helpful, and what information women need to make informed decisions. The findings will help shape the design of a future exercise and nutrition trial for women after breast cancer treatment. 👥 Who can take part Women aged 18 years and over who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage, are currently in treatment or have completed treatment, and live in Australia. 📝 What’s involved Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. There is also the option to take part in a short online or phone interview lasting around 30 to 40 minutes to share views in more depth. Participation is voluntary, and people can pause or withdraw at any time. 🔬 Researcher spotlight This study is led by Dr Cindy Tan, a senior clinical dietitian and cancer survivorship researcher with more than 20 years of experience supporting women after cancer. Dr Tan is passionate about developing practical, realistic lifestyle programs that support confidence, wellbeing, and long‑term health after breast cancer 🌱. 📩 Want to know more For study enquiries, contact Dr Cindy Tan at Cindy.tan@health.nsw.gov.au For BCNA related questions, contact livedexperience@bcna.org.au
