IMPORTANT: BCNA's Online Network is getting a security upgrade 13th September 2023
Hello members, We recently notified you that we are undertaking a security upgrade for the Online Network. In line with modern online security behaviour, we're asking you to change your Online Network password to help keep us all safe. Just like it's good practice to update your passwords in other areas of your online life – we are asking you to reset your Online Network password. We are asking everyone to reset their password tomorrow on 13 September 2023. What do I need to do? Tomorrow you will receive an email from Vanilla asking you to change your Online Network password, and how to do it. We want you to know that even though the email is coming from Vanilla and not BCNA – it is legitimate and not spam. Vanilla is the company helping us with the tech to make this change. For security reasons this password reset request is only valid for 24hrs. So, keep an eye out for an email from Vanilla asking you to change your BCNA Online Network password and if you don’t receive an email, check your junk folder. Choosing a strong password Did you know some people still use ‘password’ or ‘123456’ as their password? Cybercriminals use tools that can easily crack such passwords in seconds. The stronger you make it using a mix of lower case, uppercase, special characters and numbers, the much harder it is to crack. What if I can't re-set my password in that 24-hour window? Don't worry, you get another chance. You can request another re-set password email from Vanilla by going to your usual Online Network login. Under your Username and password, click on Forgot my Password. This will generate an email to you from Vanilla to re-set your password, with easy instructions. Of course, if you have any questions, please contact our Helpline on 1800 500 258.Incurable 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.BCNA statement about Elle Macpherson's treatment decisions
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) would like to address recent media coverage regarding Elle Macpherson's statements about her personal approach to breast cancer treatment. Elle Macpherson's choices highlight the deeply personal nature of treatment decisions following a breast cancer diagnosis. BCNA respects Elle Macpherson's right to share her experience and acknowledges that every breast cancer experience is unique. All individual breast cancer diagnoses and experiences are different. BCNA recognises Elle Macpherson's right to discuss her own breast cancer experience through her own lens and support her right to make the choices she feels are best for her circumstances. It’s important to recognise that everyone’s diagnosis and every treatment path is unique and shaped around their individual diagnosis. When public figures discuss their health experiences, it brings valuable attention to important issues. However, BCNA believes it's crucial that these discussions do not lead to doubt or fear among others facing similar diagnoses. Our priority is to ensure that people feel empowered and informed in the choices they make following a breast cancer diagnosis. BCNA advocates for the importance of accessing trusted, evidence-based information to guide treatment decisions. While a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being, plays a role in cancer care, we emphasise the importance of consulting healthcare professionals and relying on the expertise of your treatment team to make informed decisions for you. BCNA's role is to cut through the noise and help people navigate what is a very stressful time in their lives. We provide free information and resources to those with a breast cancer diagnosis at a time they need it most, along with support via our free Helpline. For more information or support, please visit our Information and Resources Hub or call our Helpline at 1800 268 002.Reminder - 'New Look' Online Network 15th December 2022
Hello Online Network members, Just a quick reminder that tomorrow morning when you login to the Online Network you will notice an updated look and feel. Please make your way around the forum and explore. Hopefully, while you will see visual changes you will also see the familiar functions you have come to know well. I have provided several screenshots below of the homepage where you will probably notice the most obvious changes: 1. The title banner - I have pointed this out as it has all the menus across the top that you require to navigate around the forum. If you start exploring around remember you can always click 'Home' to come back to this main page. There is now a far more superior 'search' function, so please give it a spin! 2. Categories - You now have all the categories front and centre on a carousel on the homepage. We have introduced icons and imaging for each category, making it much easier to find your areas of interest. 3. Discussions - The 'New Post' button sits above the discussion thread for easy access to create your own discussion post. You will notice that discussions have now been separated into 'Recent Discussions', 'Trending Discussions' and 'BCNA Announcements & Information'. (Edit Correction 15/12/22 - This means that while 'Announcements' will still appear in recent discussions initially, they will no longer be pinned to the top and will flow down naturally as users create new discussions/posts. You no longer have to scroll through all the past BCNA announcements to get to the most recent discussion. You will also notice a very clear 'BCNA Helpline' call to action above the discussions, as we often read member sharing the number when supporting others that may be new to the Online Network. 'Quicklinks'; 'Popular Tags'; 'Who's Online' all remain to the right-hand side ('Groups' list has been moved to the top banner menu as an easy access drop down with all the available groups), however still also remain in the quicklinks). 4. BCNA Podcasts - You now have access to the podcast library that is linked to the website and automatically updated as new episodes become available. There will be updates to the 'Navigating the online community' information in due course, however I hope the above provides some insight for the time being. We appreciate your patience during this transition, I am sure as with any change comes questions and perhaps areas that will need to be refined to ensure the user experience is optimal. If you have feedback or require support, please feel free to drop me a private message (click on my profile picture and 'message') or alternatively please call the Helpline 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm AEDT). Thankyou.BCNA welcomes pharmacy prescription changes for breast cancer medications
Six key breast cancer drugs are now more affordable thanks to 60-day prescribing. BCNA is pleased to confirm that six common types of hormone blocking therapies such as letrozole, anastrozole and tamoxifen, amongst others, are now able to be prescribed 60-days at a time, saving consumers time and money. “It is especially important that we work to reduce the cost of hormone blocking therapies for breast cancer as some are required for ten years or more after active treatment finishes,” said BCNA Director Policy, Advocacy & Support Services Vicki Durston. “Reducing the ongoing cost of these drugs will start to address financial toxicity and improve equity, especially for those in lower socioeconomic groups who already experience disparities in access to breast cancer care.” BCNA advocated strongly in support of 60-day prescribing last year, alongside other groups such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Read more via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/bcna-welcomes-pharmacy-prescription-changes-for-breast-cancer-medications/ and also refer to the Department of Health and Aged Care information sheet https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/savings-with-60-day-prescriptions_0.pdfThe Beacon - 1st June 2022 edition
Hi everyone, The latest issue #91 of The Beacon is available now and should arrive in your inbox today. Alternatively you can access it here via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/the-beacon-magazine/issue-91-june-2022/ Enjoy the new interactive format and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Supporting you through the current media coverage
Good morning all, As we’ve seen unfold in discussions over the past week in the online network, many of you have been impacted by the media surrounding a celebrity’s choices during their own cancer treatment. This is not the first time, nor the last, that a high-profile person will make statements that can affect those of us who have experienced breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some of the things you may be feeling at the moment include: - Feelings of doubt, fear, or shame in managing your own breast cancer experience. - A fear of recurrence or progression, which might lead you to question your evidence-based treatment plans. - Being at risk of ‘emotion-based’ decision making when it comes to treatment pathways or second-guessing any of your evidence-based treatment protocols. We are aware that some people may need support at the moment, and we wanted to take the opportunity to reach out. Our priority at BCNA will always be to ensure you feel empowered, informed, and secure in the choices you make with your own treating team following a breast cancer diagnosis. Clinical Psychologist, Dr Charlotte Tottman and BCNA CEO, Kirsten Pilatti filmed a member-focused discussion around recognising, managing and dealing with emotions or triggers that may have been raised by this recent coverage. It includes qualified advice and strategies on how to manage what you may be feeling. The intention is not to provoke unwanted emotions, but to provide information which may assist your wellbeing at this time. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics around breast cancer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb6hKrI1rhs Accessing quality, evidence-based information to guide treatment decisions is crucial when dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. At BCNA, we ensure that individuals diagnosed with breast cancer receive information that is grounded in the best available clinical evidence. In addition to the Online Network, BCNA can help you to cut through the noise by providing access to reliable information and resources at bcna.org.au, as well as support via our free Helpline on 1800 500 258.The Beacon - 1st September 2022 Edition
Greetings everyone, The latest issue #92 of The Beacon is available now and should arrive in your inbox today. Alternatively you can access it here via the link https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/the-beacon-magazine/issue-92-september-2022/ There is also a 'Download' option if you prefer to read it as a PDF. Enjoy!
Watch this space!
We’ve been listening to your feedback and we’re excited to announce that the Online Network will be moving to a new platform in early 2025! This has been designed to better serve your needs. This will mean you will only need one login, one password for the Online Network and all our resources. We are committed to improving your experience, and we can’t wait to share these new features with you in the New Year. Keep an eye out for regular updates in early 2025.
March content round-up
Hi members, My name is Amelia and I work in the Member Content and Engagement team at BCNA. At the end of each month, I will do a round-up of all the podcasts, events and resources we have launched so you all have them in the one place. If you have any feedback on the content or have any ideas of topics you’d like covered, please feel free to always send me an email acox@bcna.org.au. Enjoy! Thank you, Amelia Podcast: In conversation with Shannane and Kate: Under 40 and living with breast cancer Joining us for this In Conversation episode is Shananne and Kate. Kate was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer when she was 26 years old and 28 weeks pregnant. Shananne was diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancer in 2018 when she was 37 years old and pregnant with her third child. During this candid conversation between Shananne and Kate we’ll hear about their reaction on being told they had breast cancer, the treatment they received, the challenges they faced and continue to face, coping strategies they used and advice they have for other young women. Listen here. LGBTIQ+ experiences of cancer and cancer care: Joining us for this episode of Upfront is Jane Ussher and Natalie Halse. Jane is a Professor of Women’s Health Psychology in the Translations Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University and is the lead researcher in the recent ‘Out with Cancer’ Study. Natalie is a registered nurse and a BCNA consumer representative with lived breast cancer experience of a LGBTIQ+ person. We hear about some of the key findings of the ‘Out with Cancer’ study and its key learnings, discuss disclosure including how to do it safely, the positive benefits, and why some people are reluctant and discover what to do if you experience a negative reaction from a health care professional and the support available. Listen here. Through a rainbow lens – Navigating breast cancer as an LGBTIQ+ couple: Joining us for this episode is Mel Krollig and her partner Riki Owens-Bennett. Mel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 36 and has had fertility treatment, a single mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Riki works as a community worker for the LGBTIQ+ communities in South Australia and has been by Mel’s side during her breast cancer journey. Riki and Mel have been together for 19 years, and despite a few COVID-19 related delays, married in 2021 in a celebration surrounded by family and friends. We’ll hear about Mel’s experience of breast cancer, how Riki supported her, the challenges the couple faced together and how they navigated the system as a LGBTIQ+ couple. Listen here. Webcast: Just diagnosed in 2022, what’s next? In this webcast, we heard from specialist breast cancer surgeon Mr Sunil (Sunny) Jassal, breast care nurse Meg McDonald and BCNA Consumer Faye Louey. Sunny is a director and founding member of Melbourne Breast and Endocrine Surgeons and works with leading radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and plastic surgeons. Meg works at Melbourne Breast and Endocrine Surgeons where she is an integral part of the breast cancer care team. Faye was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2019 and discussed how she took control of her diagnosis after the initial shock. Watch here. New resources: BCNA is thrilled to have launched new content to support First Peoples women and people from LGBTIQ+ communities who are diagnosed with breast cancer. These two projects, undertaken with support from Cancer Australia, have enabled BCNA to expand our resources for people from these marginalised groups to help them feel empowered to make decisions about their treatment and care and to help them through their breast cancer journey. The information was developed with significant input from consumers through BCNA’s First Peoples Advisory Group and LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group. Read more about the new LGBTIQ+ and First Peoples resources via the BCNA website.
