✨ Wednesday Wellness - Education Edition
💡 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER This week’s check in is all about education – because learning is wellness for the mind. We’ve found some upcoming webinars that might spark your interest, inspire new ideas, or help you choose your next steps. Check them out and see what speaks to you! Breast Cancer Education Series Topic: Fertility and Early Menopause in Breast Cancer Patients 🗓️ Wednesday 17 September | 🕠 5:30–6:30pm (AEST) Globally, approximately 500,000 women under the age of 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Most of these women are premenopausal.Join Dr Wanda Cui and Dr Felicity Martin as they discuss fertility considerations in young patients with breast cancer. 👉 Register here Panel Q&A Session Topic: Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment & What Researchers Are Doing About It 🗓️ Wednesday 24 September | 🕔 5:00–6:30pm (AEST) Join this free online Q&A event hosted by Breast Cancer Trials - Moderated by Author and Journalist, Annabel Crabb. A panel of leading researchers, clinicians and patient advocates will discuss the latest in clinical trials and emerging treatments that aim not only to improve survival, but also enhance quality of life during and after treatment. 👉 Register here Breast Cancer Grand Round Topic: Making Sense of Emerging Data in First-Line HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer 🗓️ Monday 6 October | 🕐 1:00–2:00pm (AEST) Dr Otto Metzger, Medical Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and principal investigator for the PATINA trial, will explore the latest clinical evidence shaping the treatment landscape for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and how to apply this to real-world clinical practice to optimise patient outcomes. 👉 Register here 🏃 CARMEN'S FUN RUN THIS WEEKEND - SYDNEY EDITION! After giving your mind a workout, why not give those legs a go too? In collaboration with Sole Motive and Carman’s Kitchen, we invite you to join us this weekend for the first Carmen's Fun Run in Sydney - Sunday 21 September 2025. Walk, jog or run 5km, 10km or 21.1km and make it count by raising funds to help Australians affected by breast cancer. Secure your spot now for an unforgettable, pink-filled day at Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont. Read more and register via the link Carman’s Fun Run 2025 - Sydney 💜💚💛 Let’s take a moment to pause and remember that wellness comes in many forms — like connection, compassion, and community. Whether you're navigating your own journey or supporting someone who is, know that you’re never alone. Together we continue to build a network of strength, hope, and resilience. Warmly, BCNA ModsR U OK? ❤️
Today is R U OK? Day – a reminder to pause, check in, and connect with those around us. It’s a simple message with a big impact. One of our favourite's is Smiling Mind – a free, evidence-based mindfulness app we love to use for meditation and relaxation . It’s great for: Daily mental check-ins Stress reduction Building emotional resilience Supporting conversations around mental health It’s backed by credible experts like Associate Professor Craig Hassed, a leading advocate for mindfulness and wellbeing, is the Coordinator of Mindfulness Programs at Monash University and has contributed to BCNA’s webcasts Managing stress and improving wellbeing with mindfulness and meditation - is an ambassador for Smiling Mind. 💛 One of the best things you can today is to tap into resources that support your mental health so you can show up at your best, whatever that means for you. Let’s make time for meaningful conversations – not just on R U OK? Day, but every day. Because asking “Are you OK?” might be small, but it can be life-changing. Visit R U OK?for helpful resources to support meaningful conversations.✨ Wednesday Wellness Check-In
It's time for a Wednesday Wellness check in... 👋 HI EVERYONE We’re halfway through the week, and with spring settling in, it’s a good time to pause and take stock. Whether you’re juggling appointments, managing fatigue, or just trying to get through the day, today’s check-in is all about honouring where you are. 💗 WELLBEING DAYS - VIC Counterpart is hosting two Wellbeing Days for women with cancer, in Traralgon on Oct 8 and Footscray on Oct 28. Any woman who has had a cancer diagnosis (recently or in the past) and their support person, friend or family member is invited to join this supportive space to engage in wellbeing activities and connect with others who share a similar journey. More information available here: https://counterpart.org.au/events/ 🧑🤝🧑 COMMUNITY = CONNECTION Have you checked out the community groups lately? Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating treatment, or supporting a loved one, your voice matters. Share a win, ask a question, or simply say hello. Let’s lift each other up and keep the conversation kind and open. 💬 QUICK SHARE Wellness doesn’t always look like green smoothies and morning jogs. What’s one thing that helped you feel great this week? A podcast, a walk, a chat with a friend? Drop it below—someone else might need that idea today. If you’re just joining us, we encourage you to explore the forums Get started here introduce yourself, or simply read along. And if you’ve been with us for a while, thank you for continuing to support others. Warmly, BCNA Mods✨Wednesday Wellness Check-In
It's time for a Wednesday Wellness check in... 🌸 WELCOME TO SPRING! It’s been a chilly winter, hasn’t it? The kind that makes you want to stay wrapped in a blanket with a warm cuppa. But with spring just around the corner, we’re starting to feel those little hints of warmth and light — and it’s giving us something to look forward to 🌸 Today, we’re checking in on wellness — whatever that looks like for you right now. Maybe it’s a moment of peace, a good laugh, a walk in the sun, or just getting through the day. Big or small, it all counts. 🏃 CARMEN'S FUN RUN Are you in Sydney and looking for some fun in the sun? Following its overwhelming success in Melbourne, Carman’s Fun Run is launching its inaugural Sydney event on Sunday 21 September 2025. In collaboration with Sole Motive and Carman’s Kitchen, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable, pink-filled day at Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont. Walk, jog or run 5km, 10km or 21.1km and make it count by raising funds to help Australians affected by breast cancer. Secure your spot now and help us turn the Harbour City PINK! Read more and register via the link Carman’s Fun Run 2025 - Sydney 💻 NETWORK ACCESS UPDATE We know there have been some glitches lately on this Online Network, and we just wanted to say a big thank you for hanging in there with us. We really appreciate your patience while we work through these technical issues — we know how important this space is for connection and support. Our team is on it and doing everything we can to get things back to normal as soon as possible. We’ll keep you posted with any updates, and in the meantime, if you’re having trouble or need a hand, please reach out — we’re here to help 💗 Thanks again for your understanding and kindness — it means so much to us and to this amazing community. If you’re just joining us, we encourage you to explore the forums Get started here introduce yourself, or simply read along. And if you’ve been with us for a while, thank you for continuing to support others. Warmly, BCNA ModsMy Journey - (new) article 'Managing Stress & Mindfulness'
Hi members, My Journey has a new article you may be interested to read and share (I admit I have a very keen interest and passion in the management of stress, particularly to empower people to develop their own toolkit of strategies). BCNA are looking at diving into this topic further next year so watch this space. https://myjourney.org.au/article/3518
Otis Foundation holiday
Something positive. This is a pic of the resort in Port Macquarie, where I was on holiday last week with my daughter and partner. It was for 7 nights, provided by the Otis Foundation. It was absolutely fantastic and exactly what we needed. Prob the best holiday I’ve had in 11 (sadly) years. Very relaxing, beautiful, with lots of activities to do when we wanted to. I found out about the Otis Foundation through this site, so I’m hoping others will also follow suit and sign themselves up for this well-deserved free treat 😊. I signed myself up in early May, and was told I’d have to wait a while due to Covid, but got dates in early November, which was perfect timing after a couple months post radio. So check it out ladies, and hope to see your own holiday pics soon 😁👌🏻♥️ Otis Foundation
Online support for Regional WA.
Hi all, just wanted to share this link for a free online wellbeing and exercise course which starts tomorrow afternoon . It’s run by the Cancer Council for Regional WA. I’ve signed up. Might see you there xxx https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/living-well-with-exercise-and-mindfulness-registration-110067827836
Beautiful songs/singing to lighten your day
I've just found this amazing Father & Daughter Duo who are doing the most gorgeous DUets of popular songs The Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqFCbtRz1Z0 Their other songs together: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR_SOhBL-5BSaIuqhj1U18g Feel free to add your own songs/videos
Concerned
Hi ladies I have a general question for you, I have been told that even though I am almost 2 years past diagnosis, that I am still compromised... I am on Arimadex, and also my 2 year check up and has been bought forward as I have found another lump in my unaffected breast.. does anyone know if this is correct Thanks.
Breathing Techniques for Anxiety
Hi everyone In addition to the popular "take a deep breath" advice, thought I'd add some specific breathing techniques that can help you try and manage anxiety in the really stressful situations. I am not a doctor and if any of these exercises make you feel light-headed, stop immediately. For practising purposes, try them sitting upright. But they can be used in any position when anxiety starts to take over. Box Breathing Inhale for a count of 4 Hold for a count of 4 Exhale for a count of 4 Hold for a count of 4 Repeat Easy to remember because of the 4 x 4 x 4. 4 - 2 - 6 Inhale for a count of 4 Hold for a count of 2 Exhale for a count of 6 Repeat I found this one so useful when they were putting in the guide wire before surgery There is a longer version of this called 4 - 7- 8. But I struggle to hold my breath for 7 counts and exhale for such a long time. Nasal control Hold your finger against one nostril. Breathe in deeply. Switch your finger and hold against the other nostril. Breathe out fully. Repeat. When you get the idea of this, you don't have to physically hold a nostril. You can just visualise it. General info Something I have learned is that when people start to hyperventilate and say they can't breathe, they can't get air, they are actually over-breathing and taking in too much air. They end up taking short sharp breaths in and don't exhale. So if you can, remember to BREATHE OUT! If you can force yourself to expel as much air as possible from your body, your instincts kick in and you will have to take a deep breath in to compensate. If you can repeat the deep breathing a few times, you will find physiologically your body will start to stabilise - although you will still feel the panic in your mind. Concentrating on your breath and counting are about the only things that we can do in the present moment. Everything else in your mind is generally rehashing something that's happened in the past or worrying about something that might happen in the future. Breathing is right here, right now so focusing on how it feels to breathe, the sensation of air going in and out of your nose, lungs, mouth keeps you grounded and helps temporarily blocking out other distractions. Happy breathing!
