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 GordonOne Man's Journey Through Breast Cancer
Hello Online Network community, This has recently been added to My Journey and we will be sharing the below in our next Friday Update, however a dedicated post may be helpful for you to share with any men in your life impacted by breast cancer. 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.au2023 Breast Cancer Statistics in Australia
Hello Online Network members. As we head into Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, statistics from the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Cancer data in Australia is now available on the BCNA website as an infographic: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/9216/bcna_stats_infographic_sept13_2023.pdf Please reach out to the Helpline Team 1800 500 258 if you have any feedback or questions
Men diagnosed with breast cancer
Hello everyone, BCNA are keen to connect with any men currently members of our online community who have been diagnosed with early or metastatic breast cancer. We would like to hear from you, as we plan to start some discussions regarding the current issues facing men with breast cancer and their families. If you have some time and are interested in being involved, and connecting with other men who have been diagnosed, please email Anna with your contact details. The meeting will be held at BCNA with the option of attending via zoom. We look forward to hearing from you. For further information and to reply please email – awilson@bcna.org.au Thanking you Regards GiovannaMale 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 Breast Cancer Awareness Day 20th Oct 2021
Hi all, Today BCNA is shining a light on men living with breast cancer in Australia to help raise awareness. It is often surprising for many to learn that men develop breast cancer and while it is rare (less than 1% of all cancers in men), there is still projected to be approximately 150 men who will be affected by breast cancer this year - CLICK HERE to read BCNA’s latest The Beacon article ‘Raising awareness of the experiences of men with breast cancer’. You can also head to the BCNA Facebook page to hear some of our members share their stories: https://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerNetworkAustralia/videos/249955440429182/ If you are a man diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been affected, please check out BCNA’s resources: Download BCNA's Men get breast cancer too booklet www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/ Here on the Online Network we have a private group where you can connect with other men who have breast cancer https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/20-men-living-with-breast-cancer. Thankyou to those members who have shared their story.Male Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday 20 October 2019
Hello everyone, This Sunday 20 October 2019 is Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day. BCNA have been working on a number of promotional activities for Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day this Sunday. The activities include posting Rob Fincher's video on our Facebook page and also posting a story about Craig Law who has metastatic breast cancer on our Instagram. With regards to media, BCNA will be distributing a media release to raise awareness about male breast cancer and we are currently liaising with Channel Ten about running a story about male breast cancer on Sunday night. Rob Fincher was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Over the next nine years, Rob worked with BCNA to help us raise awareness of male breast cancer. While men represent a tiny proportion of all breast cancer diagnoses – less than one per cent – the statistics are very significant to the 164 men who will be diagnosed in 2019. As you all know, Rob died in June this year but before he did, he asked us to help him compile a video of advice for men affected by breast cancer. On Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day we think it fitting to share his video and recognise the legacy that Rob made in destigmatising myths around breast cancer in men. For more information around male breast cancer visit BCNA’s My Journey online tool at www.myjourney.org.au or call BCNA’s Helpline on 1800 258 500.
