📢 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 out‑of‑pocket costs, long waitlists, no public imaging options, or hours of travel just to access essential scans. ✨ As part of our End‑of‑Financial‑Year national advocacy campaign, we’re 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: 🔸 Travelling long distances or interstate for a diagnostic breast scan 🔸 No public diagnostic facility available in your region 🔸 Significant out‑of‑pocket costs for essential imaging 🔸 Long waitlists that delayed your diagnosis 🔸 Impacts on treatment, health outcomes, or mental wellbeing due to these delays. 💪 Your story is powerful. It can help us demonstrate that access to a diagnosis is not a luxury - it’s 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 you’re interested in having your voice heard and suppotring BCNA's advocacy efforts, please complete our Expression of Interest form here; 👉 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 ❤️
Travelling overseas with zoladex injections
Hello 🙂 I'm heading overseas for about 6 weeks to visit family, and I'm taking my zoladex injections with me. Will I be able to take them in my hand luggage? I'll be declaring them, and will have a letter from my oncologist, but qantas webpage isn't 100% clear about carrying them when I won't need to use them on the flight. I don't really want to check them in, in case my luggage goes missing.
Traveling with prosthesis
Hello everyone - I recently went to Perth airport to see some friends off. I went through the Virgin security and was unceremoniously patted down in public ! I don’t EVER want to go through that again ! We will be traveling domestically in two weeks so I’m looking for advice and support. Tissues have been suggested to use as padding - so has the water foam prosthesis - can anyone give me suggestions that have worked for them please. My husband has Alzeimers so my emphasis is on him - I can’t be taken away from him as he will become confused and distressed - thanks so very much 💗
Travel Insurance
Hi All, I am clear of symptoms now and about to do a bit of travel and am looking for insurance. I'm worried about the pre-existing conditions clauses ... because I've always got tests to do and am worried in case I insure and then get tests that show my cancer has returned. Does anyone have experience with travel insurance companies that are OK on this sort of situation?
Travelling with a prosthesis
Hi all, At the risk of sounding silly...... I am going to Europe in February, and am wondering whether my breast prosthesis (silicone) will set off any alarms or alerts when going through customs, more specifically if I have to go through one of those full body scanner things. Shoould I get a letter from the doctor to explain what it is, just in case? Also, I had been thinking about changing to a lighter style of prosthesis filled with some kind of granulated material rather than silicone, but I wonder whether that would be even more suspicious looking? I would be interested in people's experiences Thanks Jane
Home from holiday
mixed emotions coming home. Whistler Canada was like a fairytale land. The cold agreed with me the lymphodema stayed under control and the swelling on the flight was no more than a hot day here at home I was certainly glad I didn’t have to suffer that lot. Left Sydney on a 45 degree day and arrived in. Whistler to a low of -3 to about 2 most days. The Wedding was spectacular seeing them marry where they met at the stone circle in a sprinkling of snow. And after the ceremony they snow boarded down the mountain in their wedding gear. If only I could afford to go back. I would spend every summer there. LA was different and Disney fun but was a bit disappointed the best parts were closed for maintenance. At least while I was away it was like the last few years hadn’t happened but now I’m back and nothing has changed. Same struggles. Oh well reality bites and I will soldier on. Next is to get some real hours back at work. If there are any available
