📢 Loneliness & Social Isolation Research Study for People Living with Long-Term Health Conditions
Researchers from Monash University are looking for people with lived experience of loneliness or social isolation to take part in an important study. The research aims to better understand what makes support programs most useful, accessible and appealing for people living with long-term health conditions, including breast cancer. You may be eligible if you: ✅ Are aged 18 years or older ✅ Have experienced loneliness or social isolation (currently or in the past) ✅ Have been living with a diagnosed health condition for 12 months or longer. Examples include breast cancer, other cancers, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, depression, arthritis, asthma and other long-term health conditions. 📝 What's involved? A confidential online survey taking approximately 25 minutes to complete. Participants can also choose to enter a prize draw to win one of ten $50 e-gift cards. Your feedback will help researchers design better support and social connection programs for people living with long-term health conditions. 🔗 Take the survey For research questions, contact: Sharon Clifford Monash University 📞 (03) 9902 4474 📧 [email protected] Thank you for considering this opportunity to share your experience and help shape future support services. 💗📢 Share Your Experience: Emotional Wellbeing After Breast Cancer Treatment
Researchers from Federation University Australia are seeking Australian women who have completed active breast cancer treatment to take part in a short anonymous survey exploring: 💗 Self-compassion (being kind to yourself) 💗 Fear of cancer recurrence 💗 Emotional wellbeing after treatment By sharing your experiences, you'll help researchers better understand the emotional and psychological impacts of breast cancer and contribute to improving future support for those affected. You may be eligible if you: ✅ Are an Australian woman aged 18 or older ✅ Have completed active breast cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy) ✅ Can complete a survey in English Please note: ongoing hormone therapy or medication after active treatment does not exclude you from participating. 📝 What's involved? • Anonymous online survey • Takes approximately 10-15 minutes • No identifying information is collected Complete the survey here Whether you finished treatment recently or many years ago, your experiences are valuable. Study Title: Self-compassion, Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Emotional Wellbeing in Breast Cancer After Active Treatment For more information, contact: Dr Bianca Denny 📧 [email protected] 📞 0411 221 847 Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape future breast cancer support and care. 💗📢 Research Opportunity: Share Your Views on Online Exercise Programs for People Affected by Cancer
Researchers from the University of Melbourne are inviting people living with cancer actively or post-treatment to take part in a study exploring how remotely delivered, group-based exercise programs can be made more engaging, supportive and accessible. 🤸♀️Exercise can play an important role in cancer care, helping to improve physical fitness, reduce treatment-related side effects such as fatigue, and support emotional wellbeing. While telehealth exercise programs can make it easier to access professional support, researchers are keen to better understand what helps people feel connected, motivated and supported when participating online. Who can take part? You may be eligible if you: ✅ Are aged 18 years or older ✅ Have been diagnosed with cancer at any time ✅ Are able to complete a survey online (or by telephone with research assistant support if needed) The survey is available in English, Mandarin and Vietnamese, with telephone support available in these languages. What's involved? Participants will be asked to complete a survey (approximately 25 minutes) that explores: Views on online group exercise programs Factors that would encourage participation Strategies that could improve support, engagement and personalisation Experiences with telehealth Information about cancer diagnosis, treatment and demographics Some questions may be personal, and you are welcome to skip any questions you do not wish to answer. How will your feedback help? The findings will help exercise professionals and health services design future telehealth exercise programs that better meet the needs of people affected by cancer. 🔗Participate in the survey here This study has been approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference No. 2026-36117-82542-4). As always, participation is entirely voluntary. If this research is of interest to you, we'd love for you to consider sharing your experience and perspective. 💕 Thank you for helping to improve support and care for people affected by cancer.📢Have You Taken Endocrine Therapy After Breast Cancer Surgery? We'd Love to Hear From You
Have you been diagnosed with Stage 2 to 3 HER2-negative, HR-positive breast cancer and received treatment after surgery? BCNA is partnering with Inherited Cancers Australia (ICA), So Brave, healthcare professionals, and independent healthcare research agency Elbow Insight and Strategy to better understand the experiences of people diagnosed with this type of breast cancer. The findings will help improve understanding of the challenges, needs, and experiences of people affected by breast cancer, and help inform future support for our community. 🌸 Who can participate? 👇 You may be eligible if you: ✅ Are aged 18 years or older ✅ Have been diagnosed with Stage 2 to 3 HER2-negative, HR-positive breast cancer ✅ Are currently taking, or have previously taken, treatment after breast cancer surgery, including hormone-blocking (endocrine) therapy What's involved? 📝 The study starts with a few short screening questions to confirm eligibility. If eligible, you'll be invited to: ✨ Complete a 25-minute online survey ✨ Optionally register your interest in a second phase involving a 7-day online diary (approximately 45 minutes in total) As a thank you for their time, participants will receive a payment for participating. 💕 👉 Interested in participating? Register for the Research Study Here Thank you for helping us better understand and support people affected by breast cancer. 💖📅Grand Round: Researching the link between pregnancy and long-term protection against breast cancer
There is an upcoming Breast Cancer Grand Round hosted by the VCCC Alliance, featuring Associate Professor Kara Britt, a respected researcher in the field of breast cancer. This session will explore current insights and developments in breast cancer research, offering a thoughtful and informative overview of the science, care approaches, and emerging directions in this area. 📅 10 June 2026 🕙 1:00pm – 2:00pm 📍 Online Women who have had multiple full-term pregnancies are in part protected against the development of breast cancer compared to women who have no history of pregnancy. Join A/Prof Kara Britt in this Grand Round to learn how pregnancy induced tissue-resident memory T cells can protect against breast cancer and what is recruiting them. 👉 Learn more or register here🩺LeaN On Program: reducing the risk of lymphoedema
LeaN On - a research initiative led by Professor Bogda Koczwara and developed by Flinders University in partnership with BCNA, was developed in response to a long‑standing gap in survivorship care. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition affecting the arm or hand that can develop weeks, months or even years after breast cancer treatment, yet many people report receiving little guidance about early warning signs, risk reduction or when to seek support. LeaN On is an evidence‑based digital platform designed to support people who are living with, or concerned about, lymphoedema after breast cancer. The platform guides users through a simple 12‑step online journey, with each step offering small, manageable and practical information to help people: understand what lymphoedema is recognise early signs and symptoms take actions now to reduce risk know when and how to seek professional support The platform is currently being trialed through a research study, evaluating how lymphoedema support can be delivered online, including both self‑directed and nurse‑supported options. Its online design allows people to access guidance regardless of where they live, including in regional and rural areas where access to specialist care can be limited. Consumer perspectives have been embedded throughout the project. Participants for co‑design activities were recruited through the Review and Survey Group, and BCNA supported the research by appointing a trained Consumer Representative to the project team. This ensured lived experience informed both the development of the platform and the research approach. Both the platform and the study underpinning its development have now been published, and people affected by breast cancer are invited to trial LeaN On by contacting [email protected] Learn more about the LeaN On project: BCNA overview article Flinders University article and trial information Published study💻Online event: VCCC Alliance Breast Cancer Grand Round
Breast Cancer Grand Rounds are designed primarily for healthcare professionals and focus on clinical research, case discussions, and advances in treatment. They provide an opportunity to hear directly from experts working at the forefront of breast cancer research, and to better understand how new knowledge is being translated into care. Breast Cancer Grand Round with Dr Julia Dixon-Douglas: Making sense of senescence: Impact of CDK4/6i on early-stage breast cancer biology. 📅 Date: 6 May 2026 🕐 Time: 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm AEST 📍 Format: Hybrid event, with options to attend online. 👉 Register for this event here🗣️ Invitation to share your voice: Understanding Cancer Related Stigma Through Lived Experience
BCNA’s Consumer Engagement team is inviting members of our Online Network to share their experiences of stigma and shame following a cancer diagnosis. Cancer related stigma is not only about visible changes. It can be social, cultural, emotional, and systemic. It can affect how people see themselves, how others respond to them, and how safe they feel seeking care or support. These experiences are often deeply personal, and they can vary widely across communities, cultures, and healthcare settings. 🌏 Why your perspective matters In June, a BCNA trained Consumer Representative will be presenting at the Multinational Association of Supportive Cancer Care Australia Conference. This presentation will bring consumer voices into an international conversation about whole person care, supportive care, and the importance of patient partnership in addressing stigma. To ensure this presentation truly reflects the diversity of experiences across Australia, we are gathering insights from our broader network of members. 📝 Take part in the survey By completing this short survey, you will help shape the content of the presentation and strengthen the messages shared with clinicians, program leaders, policy makers, and researchers. Your voice will help ensure lived experience remains central to conversations about stigma, care, and support. 👉 Take the survey here 🗓️ The survey closes on Friday 8 May 2026 📩 If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] Thank you for considering sharing your experience and helping amplify the voices of people affected by cancer.🔬 Upcoming Online Event: How pregnancy affects breast cancer risk
The VCCC Alliance is hosting an upcoming Monday Lunch Live exploring new research into the relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk. Emerging evidence shows that women who have had multiple full‑term pregnancies have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. This session will explore new findings on how pregnancy‑induced tissue‑resident memory T cells may play a protective role, helping to build our understanding of breast cancer prevention and immunology. 📅 Date: Monday 20 April 2026 ⏰ Time: 1.00–2.00pm (AEST) 💻 Format: Online 🎤 Speaker: Associate Professor Kara Britt, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre This session may be of interest to researchers, clinicians, health professionals and consumers with an interest in breast cancer prevention and emerging science. 👉Register and learn moreAI Breast Cancer Risk Tool Back in the Spotlight 🧠
A topic that's come up in our Online Network in recent times is making headlines again - the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to better predict breast cancer risk. ABC News has reported on the new Australian research showing that an AI tool called 'BRAIx' can identify women at high likelihood of developing breast cancer even when their mammograms show no signs of cancer. Read more via the link Artificial intelligence detects high breast cancer risk in women given all-clear According to the study, 1 in 10 women who fell in the top 2% of risk scores did go on to develop breast cancer, despite having been given the “all clear” at screening. The team behind the project says the tool could be ready for wider use within about five years, potentially opening the door to more personalised screening rather than the current one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
