š A powerful conversation on metastatic breast cancer & intimacy
We wanted to share a powerful podcast that explores something many people experience but donāt always feel able to talk about openly, intimacy while living with metastatic breast cancer. In this Mamamia Well episode, our 2026 Pink Bun Campaign Ambassador Emily shares her journey from being diagnosed at 26 to now living with metastatic breast cancer. She speaks with honesty and vulnerability about how cancer has impacted her body, her relationships, and her sense of identity. From early menopause and financial stress to intimacy, marriage and navigating other people's expectations, she speaks candidly about the challenges of living with a disease that has no cure. What makes this conversation so powerful is the way it creates space for real, human experiences š the shifts in intimacy and connection š the emotional and physical changes that can feel hard to explain š the importance of communication, understanding and compassion Itās a reminder that these challenges are not something you have to carry alone. š§ If this feels relevant to you, you can listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/well/metastatic-breast-cancer-emily-harrison-suhr-intimacy/ š¤ As always, there is no ārightā way to navigate this. Your experience is valid, and itās okay for things to look and feel different. š¬ If you feel comfortable, youāre very welcome to share your thoughts below. What has helped you navigate connection, closeness or communication during this time?š£ļøHelp keep metastatic breast cancer on the national agenda
As we continue to push for change to ensure that people living with metastatic breast cancer are counted in Australiaās cancer registries, weād love your input through a short survey. The survey asks you to share: - The top three challenges you face living with MBC - A time when youāve felt invisible Your experiences will help inform an upcoming advocacy campaign. The survey is open until 11.59pm Tuesday 28th October. Take the short survey (5-10 minutes) - complete the survey here This work is vital to making sure you are visible in the data that drives cancer policy, funding and services. Thank you for continuing to be part of this important work, together we can make sure that people living with metastatic breast cancer are seen, supported and counted. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]š£ļø Share your views: Finding My Way Advanced+
Finding My Way-Advanced was one of the first self-guided web-based programs designed to improve wellbeing for people with metastatic breast cancer. Flinders University are now seeking participants to take part in Finding My Way-Advanced+, which aims to test whether adding human support and/or guidance to Finding My Way-Advanced, improves how much people use, and benefit from, the program. The aim is to find out whether guidance improves engagement with the program and outcomes, such as quality of life and distress, and if this differs by whether people received guidance via email, phone-call, or video-call. Recruitment is open for 12 months, with the closing date expected to be mid-2026. You can particpate in this program if you are a person who has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. If you are interested, simply complete the following baseline survey and the researchers will be in contact with you shortly; https://redcap.link/findingmywayadvancedplus.
Online / Dating pools for people living with MBC - Howā¦whereā¦what?!
MBC Sisters I need your helpā¦please read ahead of this resonates! I am completely at a loss on how to navigate finding people Iād be interested in dating when I personally feel that the fact I am somebody living with metastatic breast cancer is something anyone I make the effort to go and meet, should already be aware of and be comfortable with, upfront. But, how does the attraction or interest ever have a chance when we are talking about the usual eligible bachelors in the mainstream dating pools? I have come to the conclusion that unless they too are going through something similar and therefore understand how different life is when living with a stage 4/or similar diagnosis. Instead of the usual opportunity of lasting love and growing old together, we are a different kettle of fish when it comes to the regular expectations in this category but thatās all we areā¦different, Personally, as long as my potential person is in a similar situation which will remove those feelings of guilt or uncertainty for me personally, I think it could be wonderful and not something to be missed out on. Traditional dating websites donāt feel appropriate to me anymore and with my metastatic breast cancer diagnosis a few years ago (after an eight year hiatus), to be honest I had decided this was no longer something I wanted to pursue as it seemed an impossible task so I was comfortable with such a liberating decision that Iāve made for myself at that time. Fast forward to the last 12 months, and I can personally report that life is rather empty without somebody you love/care for to share it all with (however that would look in my new normal reality these days). My metastatic breast cancer diagnosis has in so many ways been isolating and lonely so Iām now trying to change my own narrative if that is at all possible. What Iād love is to meet somebody thatās also in a similar situation where they still have a reasonably normal life aside from the fact that it may end sooner than what was expected. I feel this situation I now find myself in is something that is missing for people who are looking for another chance at love whilst also navigating these challenging set of circumstances within the dating world. So how does one meet somebody I would want to spend time with that just āgets itā. This kind of person here in Perth seems like itās simply out of reach and in the too hard basket which is just so sad. So, if any of you out there have been through it and / has any further insight into this topic Iād love to hear all about it. Thanks loves!
