Friday Update - 23rd February 2024
Welcome to the latest Friday update! We are still thrilled about the roadmap to finally count the number of people diagnosed with incurable and life limiting metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a step closer thanks to the $1.5 million announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fund a cancer data alliance. In this update I will include the information related to this important development, in addition to support and information available to those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Community Highlights February Activity February 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: Struggling through Chemo Lumpectomy didn't work - now what? The “journey” begins. Today is @melclarity Birthday! New to the Journey Posts by 'Category Name' 01 - 20 Feb 2024 Community News Counting people with metastatic breast cancer: a step closer A roadmap to finally count the number of people diagnosed with incurable and life limiting metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a step closer thanks to the $1.5 million announced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fund a cancer data alliance on Saturday 3 February. Read full details via the link Counting people with metastatic breast cancer: a step closer The following My Journey articles can be helpful for someone newly diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer? Top 5 tips What is metastatic breast cancer? People on your treating and care team for metastatic breast cancer Metastatic breast cancer: the first few weeks You can also watch BCNA’s Webcast: Just diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer - what’s next? and listen to Dr. Charlotte Tottman speak at one of BCNA’s forums about the Emotional impacts of metastatic breast cancer BCNA welcomes new Peta Murphy Breast Imaging Suite at Frankston Hospital Thousands of people in Frankston and broader Mornington Peninsula communities will have access to comprehensive public diagnostic breast imaging at the new Peta Murphy Breast Imaging Suite at Frankston Hospital. Read further via the link BCNA welcomes new Peta Murphy Breast Imaging Suite at Frankston Hospital Living well with and beyond breast cancer ‘Living well with and beyond breast cancer’ is the theme of BCNA’s third year of our Policy and Advocacy Strategic Plan: Towards 2025. BCNA has a plethora of resources – including engaging podcasts and webcasts featuring cancer experts in health and wellbeing. As part of this strategy, we have updated many of our exercise and wellbeing resources, including: · BCNA’s Strengthen Your Recovery Pilates Program, a generalised program for people who need to maintain their physical wellbeing during their breast cancer treatment. · Physical Preparation and Recovery After Breast Reconstruction is a program developed with Breast Research Australia and the University of Wollongong. This program covers pre-and post-surgery videos, a podcast and a webcast with four health professionals · Exercise is Annoying (‘cos it works) podcast by clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman. · Food and Movement When Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer webcast with exercise physiologist Dr Eva Zopf, dietitian Erynn Sotirelis, BCNA member Laura Yammouni and BCNA Consumer Representative Lisa Tobin. Carman's Fun Run 2024 Thankyou to everyone who attended and supported Carman's Fun Run over the weekend. It was our biggest fun run yet and the power of pink was on full display! With your support, BCNA has raised over $285,000 through Carman's Fun Run this year, and the donations are still coming in! Canteen Connect We have plenty of you connected with young people in your life in one way or another. Canteen is an Australian not-for-profit that provides free and tailored support to young people aged 12-25 who are impacted by cancer. Whether they are dealing with their own diagnosis, a close family member’s cancer or the death of a loved one. A recent evaluation of Canteen's online community Canteen Connect showed improved psychological wellbeing, highlighting the platform's significance in addressing psychosocial impacts and fostering peer connections during the cancer journey. Watch the video to learn more Breast Cancer Trials Q&A - Breast Cancer and Fertility (Recording available) The recording is now available for Breast Cancer Trials latest Q&A session where experts discuss the latest in fertility preservation options for breast cancer patients, informed decision making and fertility decision aids. Watch via the link Q&A Event - Breast Cancer and Fertility (breastcancertrials.org.au) BCNA Forums/Webcasts Forum - Murray Bridge SA Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is heading to Murray Bridge, South Australia as part of our national Information Forum series. We are bringing leading experts to the local community to provide insights on a range of breast cancer topics. We extend an invitation to anyone located in or around Murray Bridge to join us on Wednesday 6 March for this fantastic day full of information and getting to connect with others in the area! REGISTER HERE (Note: When registering, you can choose to either attend in person or online. The online session will be delivered via Zoom, and you will receive the access link one day before the event) Books/Movies/TV Series/Documentaries This book has recently been added to My Journey: One Man's Journey Through Breast Cancer - Ron Gordon Following a diagnosis of breast cancer, Ron Gordon used photography to tell his experience of male breast cancer. He held an exhibition of his work in 2014 and followed with up with a publication of his photography in a book. Ron has very kindly donated an updated PDF version of his book, as a gift for men diagnosed with breast cancer. To receive access to the PDF, contact BCNA Helpline on 1800 500 258 or email helpline@bcna.org.au Hope you enjoyed the update 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 "Life is so fragile and time is so precious" - Ron Gordon
Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day - 20th October 2022
‘Despite facing a reduced lifespan, I like to invest my thoughts and energy into what is possible rather than what is probable. I plan to defy the odds by continuing to fight. I am really looking forward to spending lots of time with Shauna and my young family.’ Today is Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and we would like to highlight that breast cancer can affect anyone, with around 212 men diagnosed each year in Australia. Paul has a strong family history of breast cancer and carries the BRCA-2 gene mutation, but his initial diagnosed in 2018 still came as a shock. He was then diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2021. Like many other men in our network, Paul wants to raise awareness that breast cancer can affect anyone and that the experiences of living with breast cancer have similarities regardless of gender. You can read his full story via the following link: Paul's story (bcna.org.au) Our online network also has a private group Men living with breast cancer to enable men to connect and support each other through their breast cancer journey. Don't forget that BCNA are hosting an interactive webcast tonight for men diagnosed with breast cancer from 6:00pm to 8:00pm AEDT. To register or for more information about the event, click on the following link: https://www.bcna.org.au/webcasts-new/webcast-men-and-breast-cancer-treatment-managing-side-effects-and-finding-support/.Men's experience with breast cancer - BCNA interviews
Hi everyone, BCNA are looking for a male who has breast cancer to do a phone interview in the next couple of days for national media outlets. The interview and an accompanying photo will be distributed through the media next week. National male breast cancer awareness day is on Wednesday 20 October and we are very keen to showcase the issues males experience having breast cancer. If you would like to be involved please email Anna today at awilson@bcna.org.auMy husbands lumps
Posted on behalf of @Digger55 "My husband's lumps" My husband he has some fatty lumps in lots of various places Lipomas- just harmless little fatty lumps- nothing outrageous And when we found one in his breast… we did pull some faces But thought it's just another one of his Lipoma cases. Then surgery to fix his torn shoulder earlier this year And 10 days later he felt some pain- not in his rear It was pain in his ribs- “pneumonia” we hear But not only did he have pneumonia- we had something else to fear. Yes he had cracked his ribs, but the breast lump was a concern As well as other spots in his bones- the report was very stern Then with scans and blood tests we would unfortunately go on to learn That he has metastatic breast cancer- he nearly had a turn Our life together prior to this was something we would yearn. I know he is a special man and I am a very luck wife There’s nothing he can’t fix and build- he enjoyed this in his life But now 3 months from when we heard all this strife, He is limited in what he can do- To treatment, medications, blood tests and scans and trouble going to the loo Everything to do with breast cancer is pink Men do get breast cancer, only one percent I think we do hope his primary and mets will eventually shrink so onward with more treatment and tests and ribs that clunk and clink hopefully soon we will get good news and celebrate with a drink He tells me he loves me and that I am his rock This journey is not one we would chose- if only we could turn back the clock His breast cancer diagnosis certainly did come as a shock Tis early days with treatments and tests, and please don’t take this as a mock But he thinks he has a woman’s disease and that he needs to wear a frock.
