BCNA Policy Priorities 2025
Every day, 58 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer. Too many face high financial costs, and ongoing emotional and health challenges. That’s why BCNA is calling on the Government to make treatment more affordable, improve early detection, provide better support, and invest in vital cancer data. 🔗Read our policy priorities via the link BCNA Policy Priorities 2025Australian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk
Approximately 10% of women have high breast density. At this point in time, thousands of Australian women are being denied important information about their breast health which could empower them to better understand and manage their risk of breast cancer. BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, says Australia’s approach to population-based screening is not keeping pace with growing evidence that supports routine reporting of breast density. This due to the absence of national reporting standards and a lack of software in publicly funded screening services that can effectively measure breast density. “Every woman has the right to know and understand her breast cancer risk through standardised breast density reporting,” she says. “For those identified as high-risk or with high breast density, it is essential that clear options and pathways are available to support early detection and proactive risk management.” Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is currently advocating for a unified national approach to reporting breast density through Australia's national population-based breast screening program – BreastScreen. Mammography images showing the difference between spotting cancer in a fatty breast (top) vs dense breast (bottom). It's like "spotting a snowman in a snow storm". You can read BCNA's media release via the link Australian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk Read ABC's feature piece on our advocacy efforts: Mandatory breast density reportingFollow-up screening post surgery
Moderator moved @Cobi post to main discussion area of the forum: Cobi Regional QLD Member Posts: 1 New Member 10:17AM Options Hello, my name is Cobi and I was diagnosed with ILC HER2 positive in January 2023. Since then I have had a double mastectomy. 2/3 of my lymph nodes were removed. I am now well and cancer free but have lost all faith in screening. I am really curious about post operative screening for potential reoccurrence.Launch of the Australian Cancer Plan
Hello Online Network members, We heard from our BCNA staff members attending the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Annual Scientific Meeting, that the 'Australian Cancer Plan' has been launched today. To learn more about the new Australian Cancer Plan, which aims to improve prevention, screening, treatment and management of all cancers for all people across Australia see Australian Cancer Plan website.
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breastscreen saw something so I had biopsies last Wednesday, my gp was supposed to get the results by Monday, got a ph call from breastscreen to say the pathologist wanted to do more staining and my gp would get the results on Tuesday so I should see him Wednesday. and Im so depressed and scared and such about the whole thing. wouldn't be so bad but theres just me and my autistic daughter left now , friends I thought I had I dont and not a friendly neighbourhood I tried when we came here but was ignored. I have never felt so alone in my life
Is there a 'waiting on results' section? If not, this is re 'calcifications' on mammo high risk.
Hi everyone, I feel like I'm 'jumping the gun' here in 'newly diagnosed'. Could have sworn I saw a 'waiting on results' area but maybe I'm confusing my searches. I am considered high-risk and have been attending the highrisk clinic for approx. 15 years. This year, they called me back into the mammo room and asked to take more pictures and the technician showed me the calcifications they were concerned about. Approx 5 very small but bright spots fairly close together. It was last Friday so I was told they would send the pics on to 2 specialists and I would get a call if anything further is needed. I feel positive that - suspicious or not - I'll be called back due to my high risk. I can't even sneeze without getting referred to someone so I don't think they'll feel confident saying 'wait and see' with me. So, of course now and I am googling DCIS and similar. There are a few 'prongs' to this question so not sure where the post fits. I am a candidate for prophylactic surgery. I always had this theory that I would continue high-surveillance, and not entertain the thought of surgery unless 'something came up'. And then, strangely enough, about 6 months ago I decided to make the appointments purely to be properly informed about surgery - I was so sick of urban myth and staff-room conversations where people with no idea think they can make stupid ill-informed comments. Anyway, I had the appointments and decided not to go any further with queries. Hmm, so here we are. Way too early I know but I am wondering about how much gets excised for removing DCIS, lumpectomies, etc. Too vague / too big a question. Maybe I'm looking for ppl who've had prophylactic surgery without ever being diagnosed - anyone 'fit-that-bill' here? Gosh, not sure what I'm asking but this is where I'm at. Hopefully tomorrow (Monday) I'll get a call either way. thanks.
