💪Be your best advocate with your treating team
We've compiled the following lists of questions to help support you in preparing for those appointments where you might feel a little confused or overwhelmed. These questions are designed to help you on the path to having your voice heard during appointments with your treating team as you navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. If there are additional questions not there that you feel helped you, please comment it below so we can continue to grow our impact in empowering patient conversations ❤️ Communication Support Communication with your treating team: 🔎 Questions to Ask: DCIS Newly diagnosed (DCIS) Early Breast Cancer Newly diagnosed (early breast cancer) Treatment (early breast cancer) Finishing active treatment (early breast cancer) Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction – questions to ask a surgeon Metastatic Breast Cancer Metastatic breast cancer diagnosis Metastatic treatment and care team Stopping metastatic breast cancer treatment Community Support Young women diagnosed with breast cancer Men diagnosed with breast cancer Questions to get support for First Peoples Questions to get support in remote and rural areas🌱Wednesday Wellness - 3Mar26-The power of advocating for yourself🌱
This Wednesday, we’re focusing on a part of wellness that is so important but sometimes overlooked while navigating the whirlwind of a breast cancer diagnosis: the power of advocating for yourself. Advocating for yourself doesn’t mean having all the answers, being endlessly confident, or navigating everything on your own. It simply means honouring your needs, your values, and your voice - even on the days when speaking up feels hard. It’s about trusting that you are the expert in your own body and your own lived experience. 💗 Why self‑advocacy matters When you advocate for yourself, you help shape a care experience that reflects who you are and what matters to you. This can mean: asking for clearer explanations seeking a second opinion saying when something doesn’t feel right requesting extra emotional, cultural, or practical support taking time to make decisions voicing what you need to feel safe and informed These conversations can deepen trust with your treating team and empower you to make choices with greater confidence and clarity. 🌱 Small ways to strengthen your advocacy You don’t need to be loud or forceful - advocacy can be gentle and supported: Bring a support person to appointments Write down questions beforehand Ask for information in the format you prefer (written, verbal, print, digital) Let your team know how you make decisions best Take space when you need to — it’s okay to say “I need time to think about this” 🔎 Questions to Ask Your Treating Team We've compiled the following lists of questions designed to help you on the path to having your voice heard during appointments with your treating team as you navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. Click the link below: 💪Be your best advocate with your treating team 💬 A gentle reminder Your voice should e an essential part of your health care plan. Give our Helpline team a call on 1800 500 258 if you're feeling stuck and are wanting to explore how you can best advocate for yourself during your breast cancer journey.🌏✨ Introducing CALD Connection - Our New Community Space!
We’re excited to announce the launch of CALD Connection, a dedicated group created to uplift and support members from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds across our online network. CALD Connection is a welcoming space where members can: 🌿 Connect with others across cultures 💬 Share experiences, stories, and traditions 🤝 Build respectful, meaningful relationships 🌟 Celebrate the richness of our diverse languages and identities This group is about learning from one another, amplifying multicultural voices, and fostering a community where every story is valued and every voice matters. Whether you’re looking for connection, cultural exchange, or a supportive place to belong, CALD Connection is here for you. We invite you to join, participate, and help us build a space that truly reflects the strength and beauty of our diversity. 👉 Join CALD Connection today and be part of something meaningful.New Group - Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Hello members, If you have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) or supporting someone with this breast cancer type, you may have asked whether we have a private group available for people. Currently we do not have a dedicated group, however there appears to be growing demand for this and we want to create the conversation: Please provide feedback as to whether you feel you or someone diagnosed with TNBC would benefit from having access to an Online Network private group (Please leave your comment in this discussion thread) What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer? Triple negative breast cancer is the name given to breast cancer that is: oestrogen receptor negative (ER-) progesterone receptor negative (PR-) and HER2 negative (HER2-). This means that the cancer does not use oestrogen, progesterone or HER2 to grow. So this means that drugs used to treat these types of breast cancer are not effective for triple negative breast cancer. Around 15% of early breast cancers are triple negative. The main treatment for triple negative breast cancer is chemotherapy. It is important to know that chemotherapy can be very effective in treating triple negative breast cancer. While anyone can get triple negative breast cancer, it is more common in people who: have an inherited BRCA gene mutation (particularly BRCA1) are under the age of 40 have not reached menopause. Unfortunately triple negative breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. There are several sub-types of triple negative breast cancer, the most common being, a cell type called basal-like. Basal-like means that the cells resemble the basal cells that line the breast ducts. Basal-like cancers tend to be more aggressive, higher grade cancers. Read more via the My Journey article Triple negative breast cancer🌱Wednesday Wellness - 4FEB26 - World Cancer Day🌏
Today is World Cancer Day, a global moment to raise awareness, honour those affected by cancer, whether personally or as a carer, and remind one another that support, hope, and the strength of our community can make the biggest impact on the life of another. This year’s theme continues the call to “Close the Care Gap” - a reminder that everyone deserves access to timely screening, quality treatment, and compassionate support. While cancer impacts millions of lives, a powerful part of today is recognising the strength of individuals, families, carers, health professionals, and communities who walk this journey together. 🌱 So here is your wellness check-in for today: Be informed: Knowing the signs, symptoms, and screening recommendations for your age group can save lives. Be kind to your body: Gentle movement, rest, nourishing foods, and stress‑reducing moments all contribute to wellbeing. Be connected: If someone you know is affected by cancer, even a small check‑in message can mean the world. Be compassionate to yourself and others: Everyone’s experience is different, and support looks different for everyone too. Always remember that finding breast cancer early gives you the best chance of effective treatment. Being breast aware at any age means knowing what’s normal for your body, so changes can be noticed sooner. If you're looking for some guidance on how to do this, watch our educational video or send it to someone you know that would benefit who is coming up time for a self-check! Learn how to perform a breast self-check here So this World Cancer Day, let’s take a moment today to honour resilience, hold space for those navigating cancer, and reaffirm our commitment to a healthier, more equitable future for all. 💜Counterpart Peer Support Hubs (VIC)
As many of you know, the organisation Counterpart (support for women with cancer) host regular peer support hubs in Melbourne and Geelong. For those who already find these workshops an important part of their journey, and for anyone who hasn’t discovered them yet but might be curious, the following is for you. ✨ The Melbourne Peer Support Hub and phone service reopened on Monday 12 January 2026, providing a space for conversations, information, and connection for those who choose to attend or reach out. In Geelong, the first peer support hub session of the year will take place on Tuesday 24 February. Anyone interested in joining a session or finding out more information can get in touch to learn about what’s available on their website here. There is also planning underway for another regional peer support hub to open later in 2026, with more details expected to be shared as the year progresses. ✨Their in‑hospital program known as Bridge of Support will resume services at several hospital locations: Sunshine Hospital from Wednesday 4 February Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre from Thursday 5 February These sessions create opportunities for people going through treatment to speak with trained peers while at hospital. Events and Activities Coming Up in 2026 Counterpart also offer a number of free online activities and events throughout the year, including: A new round of Yoga4Cancer sessions An online Meditation and Mindfulness session A webinar focused on Communicating with young people about cancer: a Canteen perspective A Morning Tea for women living with metastatic/advanced cancer Whether these workshops have been a steady companion for you, or you're hearing about them for the first time and wondering if they might help, we hope this update is useful. You’re warmly encouraged to get in touch with Counterpart, join a session, explore something different, or simply connect with someone walking a similar path. As always - please reach out if you have any questions we can help with!We are here to support you 🩷
Last week’s metastatic breast cancer announcement was a significant step forward, one shaped by years of advocacy and the strength of our community. We recognise the emotional weight of the announcement on those affected by breast cancer. BCNA is here to provide support and resources to help you; 👉 Watch Vicki Durston's message to you on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bcnapinklady/reel/DRvOJP-FBlx/ 👉 Call BCNA’s Helpline on 1800 500 258 between Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or 👉 Choose a time for us to call you at https://www.bcna.org.au/helpline-self-referral-form/ We’ll keep pushing for better care, better treatment, and better outcomes – while being a trusted place to turn to for anyone affected by breast cancer.🌱Wednesday Wellness Check-In - 26Nov25🌱
Happy Wednesday everyone! Who here has checked in with how they are feeling today? 🤔 Hopefully you have your lunch break coming up soon, what a perfect opportunity to take a pause and just breathe..... Taking care of your health - physical and emotional - is just as important as all the medical/clinical things you have on your list during and after treatment. If you're looking for an extra touch of wellness this week, take a look at some recent offerings by Breast Cancer Trials: ⭐Information on navigating difficult treatment decisions. ⭐Information on managing sexual health after breast cancer. ⭐Information on breast cancer fatigue and podcast on cardiac care after breast cancer. And for some more 'light reading': ⭐Information on the APHINITY trial and how its findings can reduce breast cancer recurrence. ⭐How early detection and treatment is improving breast cancer outcomes. Don't forget our Helpline is here for you anytime you need that extra bit of support, or just to talk through what's going on for you right now on 1800 500 258 ❤️🌱Wednesday Wellness Check-In: Care For Your Body & Mind Through Cancer
🌞 Good morning to our wonderful Online Network community! 🌞 This week’s Wellness Check-In is all about keeping it simple. We’re sharing easy ideas for small changes you can weave into your day, because little steps can make a big difference! And for those ready to go all-in on self-care, we’ve included some incredible retreat options at the end. Living with cancer is about more than treatment, it’s about nurturing your whole self. Wellness can help improve energy, reduce stress, and support recovery. Here are three simple ways to boost your wellbeing today: ✅ Move gently – Light exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching can ease fatigue and improve mood. Many cancer programs now include tailored exercise sessions. ✅ Eat for strength – Focus on nourishing meals rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables. If eating feels hard, ask your care team about dietitian support. ✅ Pause for calm – Try 5 minutes of mindful breathing or guided meditation. Apps like Smiling Mind or Insight Timer are free and easy to use. 📍Where To Find Wellness Support Near You: National Support: Cancer Council 13 11 20 – Free, confidential advice and local referrals in every state. State-Based Services: VIC: Peter MacCallum Wellbeing Centre – Oncology massage, art therapy, exercise programs. Cabrini Cancer Exercise & Wellness Centre – Rehab, mindfulness, tailored exercise. NSW: Cancer Wellness Support – Complementary therapies, retreats, and group programs. QLD, SA, WA, ACT, NT, TAS: Contact your local Cancer Council branch for programs like wig services, transport help, and wellness workshops. Click here to see state-by-state options. Specialised Retreats: The Otis Foundation – Provides free retreat accommodation for individuals and families affected by breast cancer, offering time to rest, reconnect, and create precious memories. Explore other Cancer Wellness Retreats in Australia for yoga, meditation, and holistic care. 💬 Your Turn: What’s one wellness habit that helps you feel grounded? Share below - we’d love to hear your tips and add these to our resources bank - we appreciatiate your contribution to help us help others! As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us on the Helpline at 1800 500 258 ��
