AI Breast Cancer Risk Tool Back in the Spotlight đź§
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.👣 CanSTEP Study – Share Your Views! (Sydney/Brisbane/Adelaide Residents)
Are you a cancer survivor living with tingling, numbness, or burning pain after chemotherapy? Researchers want to know: Can fun stepping games help reduce these symptoms and improve your quality of life? Join the CanSTEP study – a 6-month research project by Prince of Wales Hospital and Neuroscience Research Australia. What’s involved? ✔ Home-based step training using a wireless mat (just 80–120 mins/week for 16 weeks) ✔ Questionnaires & assessments on symptoms, balance, and cognition ✔ Random allocation to training or usual care (with option for training later) Who can join? ✅ 18+ years old ✅ Living in Sydney, Brisbane, or Adelaide ✅ Finished chemo at least 6 months ago ✅ Experiencing neuropathy symptoms affecting walking ✅ Able to walk 10m without an aid ✅ Have internet access 📞 Call 02 9399 1734 📧 Email canstep@neura.edu.au Approved by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. 👉 Interested? Comment below or reach out today!📢 Help Us Advocate for Better Access to Day Chemo & Day Procedures 🌟
We’re looking to connect with patients who are currently stuck on public waiting lists, especially those waiting for day procedures or who are travelling long distances just to receive day chemotherapy. If this sounds like you (or someone you know), we’d love to hear from you. 💡 Why we’re gathering volunteers We’re working on an initiative to highlight how shifting more elective procedures (including all day chemotherapy) into day hospitals could make a meaningful difference. Day hospitals can perform these treatments at around half the cost of overnight hospitals. If more care moved into this setting, it could help reduce pressure on private health insurance premiums and create a more efficient system overall. At the same time, we believe public patients shouldn’t be left waiting months when many of these procedures could be done safely and promptly in day hospitals. Your stories can help demonstrate why this matters. 🤝 How you can help We’re seeking volunteers willing to share their experience (big or small) to support this advocacy work. Your voice could help drive change toward a system that is fairer, faster, and more affordable. If you’re interested in being involved or would like more information, please get in touch with Jannette at 0419 204 059 or admin@executivecounsel.com.au Together, we can push for solutions that truly put patients first. 💙🔬 Current Research Exploring the Role of AI in Breast Cancer
There’s been a bit of buzz lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it might play a role in breast cancer screening and risk prediction. For many of us, AI can feel a bit mysterious or even intimidating - so let’s explore it! 👀AI Might Help Spot Breast Cancer Breastcancer.org explains that AI programs are being trained to look at mammograms (sometimes millions of them) to learn what typical breast tissue looks like and what might be a sign of cancer. The idea is that AI may pick up tiny changes or patterns that are easy for the human eye to miss. Researchers hope this could help radiologists detect cancer earlier or decide which images need to be reviewed first. AI is also being tested on other scans like ultrasounds and MRIs. It’s already being used in some parts of Europe, though it’s not standard everywhere yet. At this stage, it’s not about replacing radiologists but supporting the - almost like having an extra pair of very detail‑focused eye. Read more here 🧬Using AI to Understand Personal Risk Another interesting development is happening here in Australia. The VCCC Alliance is sharing early work from the BRAIx project, which uses AI to help predict a person’s risk of developing breast cancer. The system looks at mammogram images from more than 95,000 women and uses advanced computer models to estimate who might be at higher risk in the future. The hope is that AI could help create more personalised screening, meaning people who need extra monitoring might be identified earlier, while others might avoid unnecessary tests. The project is also exploring how AI might help reduce false alarms and missed cancers, two challenges in current screening processes. Read more here ✨Why This Is Interesting (and Why We’re Still Watching Closely) All of this raises some very natural questions: Could AI one day help detect cancers earlier? Might it offer more tailored screening for individuals? How do we make sure it’s safe, fair, and reliable? Researchers are excited about the possibilities, but they also emphasise caution. AI needs ongoing testing and real‑world evaluation before it becomes part of everyday care. For now, it’s simply an area worth watching with curiosity. It may one day become another useful tool in breast cancer screening and risk prediction but like all medical advances, it will take time, evidence, and thoughtful conversation. 💬Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments!📝Survey: Were you Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Between Screens?
Breast Cancer Network Australia is inviting women in our network to share their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer soon after receiving a BreastScreen Australia “all clear” result , often called an interval cancer. ✨ In March, a BCNA‑trained Consumer Representative will be presenting at the BreastScreen Australia Conference, bringing real women's voices directly into discussions about screening, communication, and care. To ensure the presentation truly reflects these experiences from across Australia, we’re gathering insights from our Online Network community who have received an interval cancer diagnosis. 📝By completing this short survey, you’ll help shape the presentation and strengthen the messages delivered to clinicians, program leaders, policymakers, and researchers. Your voice matters – help shape a national conversation 💬 👉 Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DXXGBZW 🗓 Closes: Friday, 06 February 2026 Thank you for sharing your experience and helping to shape the future of breast cancer healthcare🙏📝Survey: Were you Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Between Screens?
Breast Cancer Network Australia is inviting women in our network to share their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer soon after receiving a BreastScreen Australia “all clear” result , often called an interval cancer. ✨ In March, a BCNA‑trained Consumer Representative will be presenting at the BreastScreen Australia Conference, bringing real women's voices directly into discussions about screening, communication, and care. To ensure the presentation truly reflects these experiences from across Australia, we’re gathering insights from our Online Network community who have received an interval cancer diagnosis. 📝By completing this short survey, you’ll help shape the presentation and strengthen the messages delivered to clinicians, program leaders, policymakers, and researchers. Your voice matters – help shape a national conversation 💬 👉 Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DXXGBZW 🗓 Closes: Friday, 06 February 2026 Thank you for sharing your experience and helping to shape the future of breast cancer healthcare🙏👣 CanSTEP Study – Share Your Views! (Sydney/Brisbane/Adelaide Residents)
Are you a cancer survivor living with tingling, numbness, or burning pain after chemotherapy? Researchers want to know: Can fun stepping games help reduce these symptoms and improve your quality of life? Join the CanSTEP study – a 6-month research project by Prince of Wales Hospital and Neuroscience Research Australia. What’s involved? ✔ Home-based step training using a wireless mat (just 80–120 mins/week for 16 weeks) ✔ Questionnaires & assessments on symptoms, balance, and cognition ✔ Random allocation to training or usual care (with option for training later) Who can join? ✅ 18+ years old ✅ Living in Sydney, Brisbane, or Adelaide ✅ Finished chemo at least 6 months ago ✅ Experiencing neuropathy symptoms affecting walking ✅ Able to walk 10m without an aid ✅ Have internet access 📞 Call 02 9399 1734 📧 Email canstep@neura.edu.au Approved by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. 👉 Interested? Comment below or reach out today!🔬Have you seen the latest research on paxalisib for treatment of breast cancer?
Sydney based Kazia Therapeutics (oncology company) has announced promising new findings that could change the future of cancer treatment. These early results suggest that innovative approaches are showing real potential to improve patient outcomes and offer more targeted, effective therapies. ✨ Kazia said the patient with stage-four (metastatic) breast cancer has achieved an "immune-complete response", meaning there was no indication she still had cancer ✨ While it’s still in the research phase, this breakthrough highlights the incredible progress being made in oncology. Every step forward brings us closer to treatments that are not only more effective but also kinder to patients’ quality of life. This is a reminder of why continued investment in research matters, and why hope is very much alive in our wonderful community 🩷 👉 Read the full story here: Oncology company reports promising cancer find🔬Have you seen the latest research on paxalisib for treatment of breast cancer?
Sydney based Kazia Therapeutics (oncology company) has announced promising new findings that could change the future of cancer treatment. These early results suggest that innovative approaches are showing real potential to improve patient outcomes and offer more targeted, effective therapies. ✨ Kazia said the patient with stage-four (metastatic) breast cancer has achieved an "immune-complete response", meaning there was no indication she still had cancer ✨ While it’s still in the research phase, this breakthrough highlights the incredible progress being made in oncology. Every step forward brings us closer to treatments that are not only more effective but also kinder to patients’ quality of life. This is a reminder of why continued investment in research matters, and why hope is very much alive in our wonderful community 🩷 👉 Read the full story here: Oncology company reports promising cancer find🗣️ Share your views: A survey of Australian cancer patients regarding current patient education practices
You can participate in this study if you have received treatment for a cancer diagnosis in the past 24 months. Researchers from Monash University are conducting a survey that aims to identify the current practice of oncology nursing education in Australia. It intends to identify if a consistent and holistic approach to education is being provided and what factors may prevent this from occurring. The survey will explore your experience in relation to the education you received by oncology nurses prior to commencing your initial treatment for your cancer diagnosis. At the conclusion of the survey, you will be taken to a second survey to register your interest to participant in a focus group to discuss your experiences. If you decide to leave your contact details, the researchers will follow up with you and provide further information on what is involved in the focus group. You would then need to provide written consent to participate. For more information and to participate in the study please click the link below: Click here to participate
