Season 2: Podcast Series "What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman"
Charlotte is back with an 'unlimited' season! Season 2 of our popular Upfront About Breast Cancer podcast What You Don’t Know Until You Do with Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman is available now (You have direct access via the bottom of the Online Network homepage) With over 58,000 listens, Season 1 proved to be a valuable resource that shared the reality of what it’s like going through a breast cancer experience. We heard about Dr Charlotte Tottman who established her own private practice in psycho oncology, before being diagnosed with breast cancer herself. Charlotte shared her lived experience with breast cancer, exploring common psychological triggers and responses, while providing tips of what helped her. (Read the popular Online Network discussion for the Season 1 via link Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman) This new season is 'unlimited' to reflect a broader experience from a clinical perspective, stripping away the common limitations imposed by the discomfort associated with difficult topics, while providing practical strategies to help people at any stage of their breast cancer experience. Start your day with Charlotte and Kellie as they have meaningful conversations about many topics including anxiety, advocating for yourself, causal beliefs, metastatic breast cancer, re-starting life after treatment, behavioural changes, boundary setting, different perspectives, side effects and the inevitable; death and mortality. Listen to What You Don't Know Until You Do: Unlimited via BCNA or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-resources/podcasts/charlotte-tottman-podcast-series/ Note: We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. BCNA’s Helpline provides a free confidential telephone and email service for people diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends. Our experienced team can help with your questions and concerns and direct you to relevant resources and services. Call 1800 500 258 or email helpline@bcna.org.au674Views6likes4CommentsIncurable breast cancer numbers almost triple previous estimates. World first data
After 25 years of advocacy by BCNA, people with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have finally been counted — at least in New South Wales. In a data breakthrough that far surpasses previous estimates, the Cancer Institute NSW has identified there are 7900 (7850 women and 50 men) living with MBC in NSW alone. This world-first announcement means people living with MBC are now visible in NSW, ensuring their needs are no longer overlooked. Knowing how many people are living with MBC means we can plan a healthcare system, policy and services. This announcement will pave the way for all cancers to be counted and is a model that can be rolled out nationally and internationally. To help ensure everyone is counted contact your state Health Minister and ask them to fast track the work of NSW in your state or territory. For more information about the announcement, you can read our latest media release via the link Incurable breast cancer numbers almost triple estimates (bcna.org.au) If you need our help? We recognise the emotional weight of today's announcement on those affected by breast cancer. BCNA is here to provide support and resources to help you navigate through any fears or anxieties you may be experiencing. Please call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if you need support.381Views3likes16CommentsEnhertu for people living with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
We have some amazing news to share with our network today, following an announcement this morning from the Australian Government. People living with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer will, from 1 September 2024, have access to the life-prolonging drug Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This could transform treatment for around 1,700 people each year. The announcement also removes the financial burden of treatment as the cost – $10,000 to $15,000 every 3 weeks – will now be just $31.60 ($7.70 concession). We have advocated strongly for Enhertu to be subsidised and are extremely grateful for the input we have had from members with metastatic breast cancer. Thank you to everyone who has helped make today’s announcement possible. That includes BCNA member Sarah Lee, one of the many champions whose voice helped get Enhertu listed on the PBS. By sharing her story so publicly, she is demonstrating the importance of increased access to this life-extending treatment. You can read our announcement on the website and we hope to see some good media coverage in the days ahead. If you have questions about Enhertu, including if it is a treatment you may be eligible for, we encourage you to speak to your treating team.262Views4likes7CommentsBCNA Webcast - Breaking Barriers: Global Insights and Local Voices on Metastatic Breast Cancer
Join us for BCNA’s latest webcast Breaking Barriers: Global Insights and Local Voices on Metastatic Breast Cancer. The webcast will feature special guests Dr Hope Rugo, a renowned expert in breast cancer research, and BCNA Consumer Representative Laura Yannouni, who is living with metastatic breast cancer. Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, learn from leading experts, and be part of a conversation that aims to drive change and foster hope. Date: Tuesday, 13 August 2024 Time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm AEST Register here151Views4likes9CommentsLancet Breast Cancer Commission
A landmark report by The Lancet Breast Cancer Commission has highlighted gross inequities in breast cancer care in both low and high-income countries globally. “Many groups are being systemically left behind, ignored or forgotten” - Professor Charlotte Coles, Chair of the Lancet Commission. People living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) make up one of those groups in the report. People living with MBC tell us they feel left behind and invisible because they are not consistently counted on Australia's cancer registries. In step with the Commission’s priorities to tackle breast cancer inequities, BCNA is proud to be leading the advocacy to have Australians living with MBC consistently counted on our cancer registries in all state and territories. Watch the full Lancet video (below) and read BCNA’s Time to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Way Forward . https://youtu.be/flg60U-aL0c?si=UXTefBf7fpyXxx_t91Views2likes2CommentsTime to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Way Forward
We are proud to release Time to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer – A Way Forward – a report and roadmap on how Australia can collect and report cancer stage and recurrence data. We need this data to know how many people are living with treatable but not curable metastatic breast cancer. Without this visibility, we can’t plan to adequately meet health care needs. The report is the result of a national roundtable of leading data and cancer experts which BCNA held in Canberra in August 2023. BCNA now calls on the entire cancer sector, including federal and state/territory governments, to help us making the recommendations of the report a reality. Read more via the link Time to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Way Forward141Views3likes3CommentsMaking Metastatic Breast Cancer Count - Parliamentary Friends of Women's Health panel discussion
BCNA and the Parliamentary Friends of Women's Health are holding a panel discussion – Making Metastatic Breast Cancer Count – at Parliament House, Canberra, 8-9am Thursday 3 August. It’s part of our advocacy calling for people living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia to be consistently counted on our cancer registries. If you are not counted you are not seen, which means you are ‘invisible’ when health service providers and policymakers plan cancer services and support. The event to be co-hosted by MPs Peta Murphy and Bridget Archer, will also hear from BCNA Consumer Representative Lisa Tobin from Perth who has been living with breast cancer for 23 years and metastatic breast cancer for the past 11 years. This event will be livestreamed from 8-9am AEST on Thursday 3 August via this link: https://aph.webex.com/aph/j.php?MTID=m7904c34e381cececf621eb6987c0e4c4 Please note that the livestream is being hosted by the Australian Parliament House on Webex. Webex is free to use either in-browser or by downloading the client onto your computer. We are aware that this may be your first-time using Webex, we encourage you to join the meeting early to ensure everything is working. You can also find troubleshooting assistance here. When you join, please ensure that your microphone and cameras are turned off.261Views2likes11CommentsCoffs Harbour Information Forum livestream on 7 September
Hi everyone, We are holding an Information Forum in Coffs Harbour on 7 September, 9.30am - 3.00pm. During the event, you will hear from - Those with a lived experience of breast cancer Medical Oncologist, Dr Michelle White Oncology Social Worker, Dr Carrie Lethborg Australasian Lymphology Certified Nurse, Lee Millard-Newton Exercise Physiologist, Hugh Campbell Breast Care Nurse, Jane Kelly Social Worker, Rob Brangwin These presenters will cover new and emerging treatments for early breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer, managing the emotional impacts of living with breast cancer, lymphoedema, exercise, local services and support and financial impacts. This event is now only available to livestream. To register please click here. We would love to see you online! We will also make the presentations available on our website following the event and will share the link with you here. Please feel free to share the registration link with anyone else you think may be interested. Many thanks @Carissa_BCNA61Views1like1Comment'Understanding and Managing Pain with Metastatic Breast Cancer' Interactive Digital Event
Have you registered for tomorrow night's 'Ask the Expert' online event? Living with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can mean needing to manage pain. This can have both a physical and emotional impact. Through discussion with your treating team, there may be ways pain can be managed to help maintain quality of life. BCNA is hosting a webcast: Ask the Expert: Understanding and managing pain with metastatic breast cancer on Thursday 13 July 2023. You will hear from Dr. Belinda Yeo, Medical Oncologist. Dr. Yeo is jointly appointed to the Austin Hospital as a medical oncologist and Olivia Newtown-John Cancer Research Institute as a clinician scientist, located in Melbourne. She is also co-lead of the VCCC Research and Education Stream for breast cancer. This webcast will aim to increase knowledge about different types of pain and tips to assist in explaining your type of pain to your treating team. It will also include information about current therapies, and strategies to help maintain quality of life when living with pain associated with metastatic breast cancer. REGISTER VIA LINK https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/bc22ce.html101Views0likes7CommentsLived Experience Panel: Rockhampton Information Forum
Hi All, We recently created a video snippet of our lived experience panel from BCNA's Rockhampton forum for the Online Network. The video captures key discussion topics: 'Side Effects, 'Communication', 'Sexual health' and 'What I learnt'. Hope you enjoy hearing from BCNA members Michelle Peters and Tracey Barlett. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETf1voZymcc71Views1like0Comments