Share your views: Artistic tattooing of breast-cancer mastectomy scars
Hi everyone! Following up on my previous post, I’d like to invite you to participate in a PhD research study being conducted by Tina-Maree Newlan of Charles Sturt University on artistic tattooing of breast-cancer mastectomy scars. The study aims to investigate the experiences of women who have had breast cancer mastectomy surgery and their experiences with making choices and decisions to decoratively tattoo mastectomy scars and what do those experiences mean for them. This request has been reviewed and approved by BCNA, and the project has been approved by Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol number H24311). You are eligible to participate in this research study if you: are a women aged 18 or over have had an early breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer mastectomy surgery and completed, or are in the process of completing, professional decorative artistic tattooing of mastectomy scarring Would like to participate in an interview and are English speaking sufficient to participate in an interview What does the study involve? Eligible participants would take part in an initial 60-minute interview (via Zoom or face to face, depending on geographical location relative to the Gold Coast) and then a subsequent second 30-minute interview around two months later. How do I take part? If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact the researcher, Tina-Maree Newlan at tnewlan@csu.edu.auAdelaide-based members: Opportunity to participate in Breast Cancer documentary
Hi everyone! I'm sharing an opportunity to participate in a documentary being created as part of a second-year film project at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). The focus of the documentary to share women’s experiences of breast cancer, including diagnosis and treatment with the goal to highlight resilience and offer support to others through real stories. The project is looking for women at different stages of their diagnosis to interview. All stories are welcome, and the project can be adapted to different experiences. You can take part in this study if you: Have been diagnosed with or are living with breast cancer Live in Adelaide What will participation involve? The filmmaker is seeking six women to interview for this documentary. Filming will take place over three consecutive days, with scheduled dates between February 28 and March 28. Specific dates will be confirmed closer to the time. The documentary will have 2 key ideas: Frank interviews about their breast cancer diagnosis experience A fun photo shoot full of colour, laughter and positivity Interviewees will be provided lunch and there will be a Mental Health Nurse available on set for the full shoot days to provide care and support to both the volunteer participants and the crew. Please note, as this is a university project, there is no budget available for reimbursements. At this stage, this documentary will be for internal use only. If you would like to register your interest, please fill out the Google Form here. Thanks! Erana BCNA Consumer Engagement Coordinator
Breast Cancer Prevention Research
Women who have undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma (particularly those treated at a younger age) have an increased risk of going on to develop breast cancer. What is BCNA doing to advocate for research into the prevention of breast cancer in this patient cohort? For example, is research being conducted in Australia on the use of Tamoxifen to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer (BEFORE they are ever diagnosed with breast cancer) in this cohort?
Research Study - Western Sydney University (Free yoga)
Hello members, Our BCNA Policy and Advocacy team have provided the current study information that may be of interest to some of our members: Researchers at Western Sydney University are undertaking a 6-week clinical trial exploring the impact of either group yoga classes or individual yoga sessions for improving mental health in people diagnosed with cancer. Who can participate? You may be eligible to participate if you - Have been diagnosed with either breast cancer or gynaecological cancer (ovarian, uterine, cervical, etc) in the last 5 years - Are not currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy; however, you may be receiving stable hormone-blocking therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy - Have increased symptoms of depression and/or anxiety - Have adequate general health to be involved in a yoga program - Have reliable access to the internet and a device with a web camera - Are aged 18 or older What’s involved? To register your interest to participate in this clinical trial, you will complete and submit an anonymous online survey. The purpose of the survey is to assess your eligibility to participate in this clinical trial. Participants who meet the preliminary criteria to participate will be asked to submit their contact information, which will be used by a clinical trial officer to arrange a teleconferencing screening call. If you are eligible, you will be randomly allocated to either group yoga classes or individual yoga sessions. Group yoga classes if you are allocated to group yoga sessions you will be required to attend six (6) yoga classes with a qualified yoga teacher online via the Zoom platform over a 6-week period. You will also be asked to do additional yoga practice between classes, and record your practice weekly. Individual yoga sessions If you are allocated to this group you will be required to attend six (6) one-on-one yoga sessions with a qualified yoga teacher online over the Zoom platform over a 6-week period. You will also be asked to do additional yoga practice between sessions, and record your practice weekly. During the program, all participants will complete a short (10 min) weekly survey and 3 sets of questionnaire and assessment measures (approximately 30 min each) as well as having occasional 5–10 min phone calls with a research team member. Interested in participating in this study? To indicate your interest in participating in the study, please visit NICM HRI | Online yoga and mental health in cancer study or contact Maria Gonzalez NICM Health Research Institute, Study Chief Investigator - PhD Candidate, by emailing m.gonzalez2@westernsydney.edu.au Complementary therapies can improve your physical and emotional wellbeing. They can also help you to manage some of the side effects of breast cancer treatments, such as anxiety, pain and fatigue. Yoga is a form of complimentary therapy. While many complementary therapies can be very helpful, it is a good idea to talk to a member of your medical team before starting anything new. This will help you to prevent any possible effects that the therapy may have on your breast cancer treatments or general health. You can check out BCNA's website for more information regarding complimentary therapies https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/complementary-and-alternative-medicines-and-therapies/complementary-therapies/Research Study - University of Sydney
Hello members, Our BCNA Policy and Advocacy team have provided the current study information that may be of interest to some of our members: What are your thoughts on filling out health forms? Researchers at the University of Sydney are running a study to explore your thoughts on a pictorial version of a scale that measures health symptoms. If you: · Are aged 18 years and older · Have low English health literacy levels OR are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background (i.e. non-English-speaking background) · Have existing or previous cancer experience · Are able to provide informed consent They would like to talk to you! To find out more, visit: < https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=THFKFWHW74> For Arabic: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=ERFR4NY8R8 For Chinese: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=CXXCDHXJWX For Vietnamese: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=AP9MWR8WXP
Prolia (denosumab) may not reduce the risk of recurrence
The authors of these articles reviewed the studies that linked Prolia (denosumab) with reducing recurrence risk and do not accept the link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(19)30146-9/fulltext https://www.ascopost.com/issues/june-25-2019/denosumab-prevents-neither-breast-cancer-relapse-nor-death/ https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/breastcancer/83757 https://www.cancernetwork.com/asco-breast-cancer/adjuvant-denosumab-fails-reduce-recurrences-deaths-early-breast-cancer It is best to confirm the benefits and risks of the drug with your specialist. I am posting these links as a reference and cannot engage in discussion about them.
QUE Hot Flush Medication Drug Trial
I have just completed the trial. It was a double blind study, meaning that no one knew whether I was on the real drug or the placebo (except the pharmacist). I think I was on the actual drug. I had fewer severe hot flushes, and especially at night. It didn't get rid of them completely but my severe ones were knocked back to moderate, the moderate to mild, and the mild ones stopped. It's been a rude shock going back to life without it. Especially at night. I'm being woken more frequently and the flushes are more intense and last longer. So once again my sleep has deteriorated into utter crap. It was the third human trial of this drug. Which I think is promising as surely they wouldn't keep testing it if they thought it wasn't working would they? The only side effect I had was possibly some constipation. One of the study co-ordinators said that they'll be looking at dosage, so maybe the next study will be on a pill with more of the active ingredient. I found it an interesting experience to have, if sometimes time consuming and irritating. Logging and ranking all your hot flushes for six weeks is tedious! The doctors and study co-ordinators I dealt with were kind and lovely. The doctor was coming in on his day off everytime I saw him. Such commitment. Wouldn't it be funny if I was on the placebo?! The power of the mind eh. However right now if they offered me a bottle of the capsules I'd take it.
