đ˘ Have you ever faced a big bill, or a long journey just to get a diagnostic breast scan? We want to hear from you.
When you find a concerning lump or notable change in your breast, one of the most important things that you should be able to access quickly and safely is the answer to: is this breast cancer? We know that for too many people in our community, the pathway to diagnosis is full of barriers: high outâofâpocket costs, long waitlists, no public imaging options, or hours of travel just to access essential scans. ⨠As part of our EndâofâFinancialâYear national advocacy campaign, weâre calling for fair and equitable access to diagnostic imaging for all Australians. To do that, we need real people to share their experiences and stories that show what is happening right now. BCNA is seeking lived experiences from anyone who has faced challenges such as: đ¸ Travelling long distances or interstate for a diagnostic breast scan đ¸ No public diagnostic facility available in your region đ¸ Significant outâofâpocket costs for essential imaging đ¸ Long waitlists that delayed your diagnosis đ¸ Impacts on treatment, health outcomes, or mental wellbeing due to these delays. đŞ Your story is powerful. It can help us demonstrate that access to a diagnosis is not a luxury - itâs a right. Your story will help us advocate for a system where every Australian gets the answers they need, regardless of their bank balance or their postcode. If youâre interested in having your voice heard and suppotring BCNA's advocacy efforts, please complete our Expression of Interest form here; đ https://formstack.io/907FC All stories will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality by our Communications department. Thank you for helping us shape a better system where every Australian can get timely, equitable access to the diagnostic care they deserve â¤ď¸đ˘ Have you ever faced a big bill, or a long journey just to get a diagnostic breast scan? We want to hear from you.
When you find a concerning lump or notable change in your breast, one of the most important things that you should be able to access quickly and safely is the answer to: is this breast cancer? We know that for too many people in our community, the pathway to diagnosis is full of barriers: high outâofâpocket costs, long waitlists, no public imaging options, or hours of travel just to access essential scans. ⨠As part of our EndâofâFinancialâYear national advocacy campaign, weâre calling for fair and equitable access to diagnostic imaging for all Australians. To do that, we need real people to share their experiences and stories that show what is happening right now. BCNA is seeking lived experiences from anyone who has faced challenges such as: đ¸ Travelling long distances or interstate for a diagnostic breast scan đ¸ No public diagnostic facility available in your region đ¸ Significant outâofâpocket costs for essential imaging đ¸ Long waitlists that delayed your diagnosis đ¸ Impacts on treatment, health outcomes, or mental wellbeing due to these delays. đŞ Your story is powerful. It can help us demonstrate that access to a diagnosis is not a luxury - itâs a right. Your story will help us advocate for a system where every Australian gets the answers they need, regardless of their bank balance or their postcode. If youâre interested in having your voice heard and suppotring BCNA's advocacy efforts, please complete our Expression of Interest form here; đ https://formstack.io/907FC All stories will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality by our Communications department. Thank you for helping us shape a better system where every Australian can get timely, equitable access to the diagnostic care they deserve â¤ď¸đąWednesday Wellness - 25Mar26 - Nurturing yourself and your confidence during breast cancer đą
When youâre going through treatment, confidence can dip for so many reasons - changes to your body, fatigue, uncertainty, or simply the emotional weight of it all. Looking after yourself isnât just about managing symptoms; itâs also about supporting your sense of identity, dignity, and confidence. Todayâs reminder is this: â¨Small acts of self-care can have a big impact on how you feel moving through the worldâ¨It's not about âlooking a certain way,â but about reclaiming moments of control, comfort, and confidence during a time when so much feels out of your hands. đ Gentle Ways to Build Confidence Through SelfâCare Choosing comfortable clothes or soft fabrics that feel good on your skin Taking a few minutes to moisturise, breathe deeply, or use a calming scent Wearing something that makes you feel âyou,â even on hard days Reaching for connection - a kind message, a community chat, a shared moment of support đ Look Good Feel Better: A Boost When You Need It Most If youâd like some practical, confidenceâbuilding support, Look Good Feel Better offers wonderful free workshops and kits designed specifically for people going through cancer treatment. Their programs include: Skincare and makeup tips for treatmentârelated changes Headwear and scarf styling Practical confidenceâboosting techniques Free takeâhome kits with products chosen to help you feel a little more like yourself These sessions arenât about appearance in a superficial way - theyâre about helping you feel supported, uplifted, and valued. You can explore their workshops and request a kit here đ https://lgfb.org.au/ đ https://lgfb.org.au/for-patients/home-delivered-confidence-kit/đ§ FREE ACCESS to Mental Health Care â¤ď¸
A Medicare card is not needed to access this service. If you or someone in your community is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, worried, or unsure where to get help, support is available for you. You do not need a Medicare card. You do not need to pay to get started. And you do not need to navigate it alone. Medicare Mental Health Centres connect people with trained mental health professionals who can support you with: Managing health concerns Stress, anxiety, or low mood Family or relationship pressures Settlement challenges Trauma or past difficult experiences Feeling isolated or lonely These services are welcoming, safe, confidential, and culturally respectful. đ Call them on 1800 595 212 (MonâFri, 8:30amâ5pm) to get free mental health care help that fits your individual needs and budget. They can help you make a plan, find services near you, and arrange interpreters if needed. Everyone deserves support - please call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 if you're not sure where to get started - we are here to help â¤ď¸
đ Monday Mingle Meet & Greet - Welcome New Members March 9-15 đ
Welcome to members who recently joined our online community in the past week! We hope you are connecting with others and finding support. Elliebugâ MonicaMareeâ blushplasticâ Janine2â JadeNâ MickeyMooâ ddaleâ Wadeâ Nelsâ Cloe87â J_o_Câ SliFiâ belbayâ UKNurseâ VioletB33â kcwâ Patchworkezzaâ MariaLâ Gordon2026â hk21â Pai91â Clioâ Dominicaâ Lollipopâ sgâ Lynp18â This forum is a supportive space where you can connect with generous members who provide meaningful support to each other. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Explore our various groups for greater peer-to-peer support. Helpful Links to Get You Started: How to start a discussion About BCNA's Online Network Check out our private groups! BCNA Online Network Groups Community Guidelines New breast cancer diagnosis? Read Living with DCIS, LCIS or early breast cancer Listen to BCNA's podcasts: Upfront About Breast Cancer: Just Diagnosed - What's Next? What You Don't Know Until You Do Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis? Watch Just diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer - what's next? Get the Most Out of Our Community: Our long-time members (and newbies too!) are a wealth of information. Don't hesitate to post your questions. You can also update your profile with details about yourself, such as your breast cancer experience and where you live (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, Regional Victoria) for more targeted responses. You may like to check some of our more light-hearted discussion threads while you are here: Friday Funnies Wise words Creative Corner! Our Gardens Need Help? Message our community manager Christina_BCNAâ BCNA_Modâ or one of our other moderators: Daina_BCNAâ Mez_BCNAâ Astrida_BCNAâ Risha_BCNAâ Denise_BCNAâ. Please Note: Please be aware that your posts and comments in the public discussions and public groups can be found and read by anyone, including those who are not members of the online network. This means that what you share in a public discussion or public group may be read by a wider audience, please consider this when sharing sensitive or personal details. The Online Network is not moderated by staff/volunteers on weekends. For urgent queries, contact the Helpline Team via email at helpline@bcna.org.au or phone 1800 500 258, Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm AEDT.
40 Survivorship lessons learned
I found this YouTube video incredibly helpful and supportive. Iâve attached a photo of the video below so you can look it up. A lot of people, who havenât been through it, think that the breast cancer experience is over at the end of your âmedicalâ recovery period. Youâve finished your treatment and so youâre done and dustedâŚright??? As youâre a part of this Network, you know that that is very, very far from the truth. I highly recommend you watch this YouTube video. Itâs by a young woman who had a double mastectomy, lymph node removal, radiation and reconstruction. The fact that she can point to 40 lessons learnt itself demonstrates that âSurvivorship is NOT NOTHINGâ. You know the scenario, your Medical team has been wonderful but theyâre done now. Your family and friends (may) have been supportive but well, âyouâre done nowâ so everything should be normal and you and everyone else can move on. Right? Even if youâre feeling pretty good. Do watch this video, be even more proud of yourself, your body, your mind and your spirit. Acknowledge the battles, be kinder to yourself and know that you are not the only one finding that âthe only way over Breast Cancer, is through it and itâs a long, long journey.âđ Research Findings: Experiences of CALD People with Cancer
For those interested in understanding more about the unique experiences and needs of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds affected by cancer, Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) has released important consultation findings. These insights explore the challenges CALD communities face when navigating cancer care and highlight opportunities to create more inclusive, accessible, and culturally safe support across the system. You can read the full research findings and project details here: đ https://vics.org.au/projects/cald-consultation-2025-26-vics-optimal-care-summits If youâd like to discuss the report, share your reflections, or talk about what culturally responsive care means to you, feel free to start a conversation below. Your perspectives are always valued. đMarch 8th - International Women's Day đ
BCNA was founded by women affected by breast cancer who believed there had to be a better way. đ A better way to communicate. A better way to deliver care. A better way to show kindness, dignity and humanity. That belief still drives our work today. This International Womenâs Day, we celebrated the power of collective action. The UN Women Australia 2026 theme is âBalance the Scalesâ. When women come together to challenge the systems that shape their futures, real change happens. âFor BCNA, âBalance the scalesâ means helping women navigate a breast cancer healthcare system that was not designed for them. We also change that system by working with health professionals and government, making sure we are at the table every time a decision is made about breast cancer,â says Kirsten Pilatti, CEO of BCNA. At BCNA, women with lived experience lead change. Through advocacy, community and shared voices, we are reshaping systems so everyone affected by breast cancer can access the care, treatment and support they deserve. đ And finally, a little shoutâout to the amazing women right here in our online community. Youâre the heart of this space - showing up for each other with honesty, humour, courage, and compassion. Whether youâre sharing your story, offering a tip that helped you through a tough moment, or simply reminding someone that theyâre not alone, you make this community what it is. Here's to you! đĽđŞBe 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 â¤ď¸ Communication Support Communication with your treating team: đ 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 â 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 areasđąWednesday Wellness - 3Mar26-The power of advocating for yourselfđą
This Wednesday, weâre 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 doesnât 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. Itâs about trusting that you are the expert in your own body and your own lived experience. đ Why selfâadvocacy 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 doesnât 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. đą Small ways to strengthen your advocacy You donât 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 â itâs okay to say âI need time to think about thisâ đ 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: đŞBe your best advocate with your treating team đŹ 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.
