🌱Wednesday Wellness - Creativity, Self-Care & a Special Giveaway! - 29July26🎁
We have an extra special Wednesday Wellness for you today..... When life feels overwhelming, creativity can be a powerful form of self-care. Whether it's painting, knitting, photography, colouring, gardening, scrapbooking, sewing, baking, writing, pottery, or any other creative pursuit, making something with our hands can help us slow down, focus on the present moment, and express emotions that can sometimes be difficult to put into words. 💗 During your experience with breast cancer, creativity can provide a sense of accomplishment, distraction from worries, connection with others, and space to simply enjoy doing something for yourself. There doesn't need to be a goal, and it certainly doesn't need to be perfect. The process itself can be just as valuable as the finished result. ✨ 🎁 This week's giveaway! 📸 Share a photo of something you've created in the comments below. It could be anything from a craft project, artwork, garden, baked treat, knitted creation, photograph, journal page, or any other creative endeavour. 🏆 The photo with the most likes will win a special home wellness pack! 🎨 Show us your creative side in the comments below! 💕385ViewsSign in to react to this post24Comments✨ Wednesday Wellness - Education Edition
💡 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER This week’s check in is all about education – because learning is wellness for the mind. We’ve found some upcoming webinars that might spark your interest, inspire new ideas, or help you choose your next steps. Check them out and see what speaks to you! Breast Cancer Education Series Topic: Fertility and Early Menopause in Breast Cancer Patients 🗓️ Wednesday 17 September | 🕠 5:30–6:30pm (AEST) Globally, approximately 500,000 women under the age of 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Most of these women are premenopausal.Join Dr Wanda Cui and Dr Felicity Martin as they discuss fertility considerations in young patients with breast cancer. 👉 Register here Panel Q&A Session Topic: Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment & What Researchers Are Doing About It 🗓️ Wednesday 24 September | 🕔 5:00–6:30pm (AEST) Join this free online Q&A event hosted by Breast Cancer Trials - Moderated by Author and Journalist, Annabel Crabb. A panel of leading researchers, clinicians and patient advocates will discuss the latest in clinical trials and emerging treatments that aim not only to improve survival, but also enhance quality of life during and after treatment. 👉 Register here Breast Cancer Grand Round Topic: Making Sense of Emerging Data in First-Line HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer 🗓️ Monday 6 October | 🕐 1:00–2:00pm (AEST) Dr Otto Metzger, Medical Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and principal investigator for the PATINA trial, will explore the latest clinical evidence shaping the treatment landscape for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and how to apply this to real-world clinical practice to optimise patient outcomes. 👉 Register here 🏃 CARMEN'S FUN RUN THIS WEEKEND - SYDNEY EDITION! After giving your mind a workout, why not give those legs a go too? In collaboration with Sole Motive and Carman’s Kitchen, we invite you to join us this weekend for the first Carmen's Fun Run in Sydney - Sunday 21 September 2025. Walk, jog or run 5km, 10km or 21.1km and make it count by raising funds to help Australians affected by breast cancer. Secure your spot now for an unforgettable, pink-filled day at Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont. Read more and register via the link Carman’s Fun Run 2025 - Sydney 💜💚💛 Let’s take a moment to pause and remember that wellness comes in many forms — like connection, compassion, and community. Whether you're navigating your own journey or supporting someone who is, know that you’re never alone. Together we continue to build a network of strength, hope, and resilience. Warmly, BCNA ModsViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱Wednesday Wellness - 28Jan26🌱
Hi Everyone - before we get into our Weekly Wellness tips, we wanted to acknowledge that our platform experienced an unexpected outage for most of today. Like many of you, we were surprised by the disruption, although it was apparently a planned outage, we did not receive any advance notification that this would occur. Our moderation team worked tirelessly all day to restore the platform and we are happy to share it is now back up and running. We know how much you rely on this space, and we truly appreciate your patience, understanding, and resilience while we worked to get everything back online. While we do not expect this to happen again, you can have the confidence that we will stay on top of the issue until it is resolved if it occurs. Feel free to email mailto:[email protected] if you have any concerns, and it is worth noting that the online outages do not affect our Helpline phone lines. Now to the important stuff - our Wednesday Wellness check in!✨ How has everyone been going with the movement tips we shared a few Wednesday Wellness check-ins ago? I don’t know about you, but I’m someone who gets really motivated to make big changes… and then life happens, things get busy, and those plans quietly drift into the background until the next burst of inspiration shows up. So consider this your little nudge! 😊 I’ve learned that I’m far more likely to stick to my goals when I truly understand the 'how' and 'why' behind them. For me, the insights below completely shifted my commitment to moving my body every day, even on the days when “movement” just means something light and gentle. I've recently learned the 'how' and 'why' the body responds to exercise the way we do, and I hope this information is helpful for you too! Remember to always seek guidance from your healthcare team before commencing a new execerise regime. 🏃♀️How Your Body Responds to Exercise 0–10 minutes: Your heart rate jumps, blood flow increases, your brain becomes more alert, and your body quickly switches between energy systems based on how hard you’re working. After 1 hour: Your body is in full efficiency mode, directing blood to the muscles that need it most and using the energy system best suited to the type of exercise you’re doing. 1 hour post‑exercise: Everything begins returning to resting levels. Your body even over‑compensates, for example blood pressure can temporarily drop below normal (known as post‑exercise hypotension). 1 day later: You might feel DOMS, that normal “delayed muscle soreness” from tiny muscle fibre tears. Once your body adapts, soreness reduces. Gentle movement is usually fine if your form isn’t affected. 3 days later: Your metabolic rate can stay elevated for up to 72 hours after certain workouts, meaning you’re still burning more energy long after you’ve finished. 1 week in: Mitochondria (your energy generators) increase, boosting your energy production. Many people also notice improved mood and confidence. 2 weeks in: Strength and fitness improvements become measurable. If paired with healthy eating, early changes in body composition may appear. 4 weeks in: Improvements ripple across your physical, mental, social, and even financial wellbeing - more energy, fewer sick days, better productivity, and a general lift in quality of life. Moral of the story: Regular movement = a happier, healthier you. 💛 🏃♀️ For those who just found a wind of motivation to get their feet moving, don't forget that Carmen's FunRun Melbourne is coming up soon on February 15th! Join thousands of participants running, jogging, or walking through Melbourne on 15 February. It’s a fantastic opportunity to take on a new challenge, connect with others, and raise vital funds for BCNA to support people affected by breast cancer. 👉 Register here!ViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱Wednesday Wellness - 17Dec25 - That's a wrap on 2025!🌱
As we enter in the final weeks of this year, we know the festive season comes with a mix of emotions. For many, it’s a time of joy and connection - but for some, especially those newly diagnosed over the Christmas break when health care services are limited, it can be an especially overwhelming and isolating time. To help you navigate this time, we've published our Resources During the Festive Season page. It’s packed with practical information and trusted support options for when BCNA’s Helpline and other services may be closed or operating with reduced hours. 💪 Please always remember that this community is here for you. Reach out to each other and find your source of strength by connecting with this incredible community whenever you need it. If you’re able to, please offer a little extra support to each other during this time. A kind word or a listening ear (or fingertips in this case!) can make a world of difference to someone struggling through this journey ❤️ If you know someone else who might benefit from this information, please feel free to share it with them or invite them to join in the discussions. Together, we can make this season a little brighter for everyone. Wishing you all a restful, relaxing, and joyful festive season. 🌟 👉 Resources During the Festive Season 👉BCNA's Helpline 🎄 Hours & SupportViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱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 ❤️ViewsSign in to react to this postComments✨ Wednesday Wellness Check-In
It's time for a Wednesday Wellness check in... 👋 HI EVERYONE We’re halfway through the week, and with spring settling in, it’s a good time to pause and take stock. Whether you’re juggling appointments, managing fatigue, or just trying to get through the day, today’s check-in is all about honouring where you are. 💗 WELLBEING DAYS - VIC Counterpart is hosting two Wellbeing Days for women with cancer, in Traralgon on Oct 8 and Footscray on Oct 28. Any woman who has had a cancer diagnosis (recently or in the past) and their support person, friend or family member is invited to join this supportive space to engage in wellbeing activities and connect with others who share a similar journey. More information available here: https://counterpart.org.au/events/ 🧑🤝🧑 COMMUNITY = CONNECTION Have you checked out the community groups lately? Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating treatment, or supporting a loved one, your voice matters. Share a win, ask a question, or simply say hello. Let’s lift each other up and keep the conversation kind and open. 💬 QUICK SHARE Wellness doesn’t always look like green smoothies and morning jogs. What’s one thing that helped you feel great this week? A podcast, a walk, a chat with a friend? Drop it below—someone else might need that idea today. If you’re just joining us, we encourage you to explore the forums Get started here introduce yourself, or simply read along. And if you’ve been with us for a while, thank you for continuing to support others. Warmly, BCNA ModsViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱Wednesday Wellness - Going through the (e)motions - 23Sep26🩷
Breast cancer can bring a flood of emotions. Fear. Anger. Sadness. Grief. Frustration. Loneliness. Anxiety. Sometimes all in the same day. Sometimes all before breakfast. When we're focused on appointments, treatments, responsibilities, work, family, and simply getting through each day, it can be tempting to put our feelings in a box and tell ourselves we'll deal with them later. 📦 But emotions don't simply disappear when they're ignored. Feelings that aren't acknowledged can become stagnant, like water that stops flowing. They can build up slowly beneath the surface, showing up as stress, exhaustion, irritability, difficulty sleeping, feeling disconnected, or simply feeling "stuck". 💭💔 This doesn't mean we need to dwell on every difficult emotion or stay immersed in them. It means allowing them to move through us rather than getting trapped inside us. 🌊 Think of emotions as waves. Some waves are small and manageable. Others can feel overwhelming and powerful. The goal isn't to stop the waves from coming. The goal is to let them rise, be felt, and eventually pass. You might allow emotions to move through by: ✨ Talking honestly with someone you trust ✨ Writing your thoughts in a journal ✨ Crying when tears need to come ✨ Creating art, music, or crafts ✨ Taking a mindful walk outdoors ✨ Practising meditation or deep breathing ✨ Sharing your experience with others who understand ✨ Allowing yourself moments of joy without guilt Many people living with breast cancer feel pressure to "stay positive" all the time. While hope can be incredibly valuable, it's also okay to acknowledge when things are hard. 💗 You don't need to be strong every minute of every day. You don't need to justify your feelings. You don't need to rush your healing. Every emotion serves a purpose. When we give ourselves permission to feel what we're feeling, without judgement, we create space for healing, self-compassion, and resilience. 🌱💜 So this Wellness Wednesday, take a moment to check in with yourself: ❓ What emotion have I been carrying lately? ❓ Have I given it space to be acknowledged? ❓ What might help it move through me today? Remember, feelings are meant to flow, not stay frozen. You deserve the opportunity to process them with kindness and care. 🤗💙 📚 Resource Recommendation This book came across our Helpline office desk this morning, and it felt like the perfect timing. If you're looking for a gentle and supportive resource about navigating emotions, you may be interested in this helpful workbook by lived experience Dr Marion Roberts: fiinding steadiness after a breast cancer diagnosis. Written by Clinical Psychologist and breast cancer survivor Dr Marion Roberts, Finding Steadiness offers practical psychological understanding & tools (drawing from psychological therapies such as CBT & ACT) to help you steady your mind, reduce overwhelm, and move forward - one step at a time. Inside, you’ll find: - Accessible explanations of the psychological response to a cancer diagnosis - Simple stabilisation plans, regulation practices and psychological tools - Support for navigating information, decisions, and uncertainty - Scripts for managing difficult conversations - Guided worksheets to support reflection and help build a balanced mindset - Examples drawn from the author’s own lived experience - Prompted writing space to foster reflection, and build capacity over time Warm, compassionate, and clinically grounded, Finding Steadiness is designed to support you at your own pace, and as your capacity allows. The focus is not on getting things right, or being unrealistically strong. Instead, it is about creating enough steadiness, in your body and mind, to take the next step. 👉 Learn more and access the book here 💬 What helps you work through difficult emotions when life feels overwhelming? We'd love for you to share below. 💜✨ViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱Wednesday Wellness - Spring into Spring! - 09Sep26🍃
For those affected by breast cancer, life doesn't always feel like a fresh spring morning. There can be appointments, treatments, recovery, side effects, uncertainty, and days when simply getting through is enough. That's why Spring offers such a valuable wellness lesson - hope 💕 Not because everything suddenly becomes easier, but because nature reminds us that change happens quietly. New growth doesn't appear overnight. It begins beneath the surface, often long before we can see it. For many people affected by breast cancer, that idea can feel familiar. There may be days when it feels like you're standing still. Days filled with appointments, treatment, recovery, fatigue, uncertainty, or adjusting to a "new normal" you never asked. Yet even during the most challenging seasons, growth can still be happening. 🌼 It might be learning to feel at home in your body again. 🌼It might be finding the confidence to ask for support. 🌼It might be discovering resilience you didn't know you had. 🌼 Or it might simply be finding moments of joy, peace, and connection alongside everything else. Spring invites us to keep an open mind to possibilities. Not because we know what the future holds, but because we don't. This week, take a moment to notice the signs of Spring and hope around you. Perhaps it's a new bloom. Perhaps it's self-compassion. Perhaps it's your wellbeing, your confidence, your relationships, or simply the belief that brighter days are still possible. Whatever it is, remember: growth takes time, and every season starts with a single new shoot. 🌱 Thank you, as always, to this wonderful community for the endless support, positivity and hope we share with each other. Together, we are stronger 💙ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsWednesday Wellness - A Mindful Moment for You - 02Sept26
When you're navigating breast cancer, it's completely normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed, anxious or stressed at times. Between appointments, treatment and everyday life, it can be hard to find space to simply breath. Mindfulness is one way to help bring your attention back to the present moment. It doesn't have to be sitting in a meditation space in a particular pose! Instead, it's about noticing what's happening right now, with kindness and without judgement (even while making your cuppa). 💚 A simple mindfulness practice to try today: Take a slow breath in and a gentle breath out. Notice what you can see, hear, or feel around you. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath. Even a minute or two of mindful breathing can help create a sense of calm and grounding during a difficult day. 🌿 Remember, mindfulness is not about doing it perfectly. It's simply about giving yourself permission to pause and be present. If you'd like to learn more about managing stress and mindfulness, BCNA has some helpful information and resources available here: 👉 Managing stress (and mindfulness) 💬 Do you have a mindfulness practice or relaxation technique that helps you manage stress? We'd love to hear what's worked for you in the comments.ViewsSign in to react to this postComments🌱Wednesday Wellness - 03Jun26 - The Impact of Community Strength 💪
One of the most powerful things about being part of our wonderful BCNA community, is that no one has to face breast cancer alone. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in the middle of treatment, navigating life after treatment, or supporting a loved one, this space reminds us that shared experiences can bring comfort, understanding, and genuine connection 💞 Community isn’t just about being in the same space, it’s about being seen, heard, and supported. It’s the quiet reassurance of someone saying “me too,” the kindness of practical advice from those who’ve been there, and the encouragement that helps carry you through tough days As many of you know well, even small interactions can make a big difference to someone who needs some extra love today 🌟 🏐 A beautiful example of this was last weeks community engagement activity at the State Netball Centre. BCNA staff connected with some of our amazing netball club and association PLAY4BCNA hosts, along with members with lived experience. It was such a warm, uplifting gathering filled with smiles, shared stories, and genuine connection 💞 💖 Moments like this truly highlight the strength and spirit of our community. If you’re looking to connect with others with lived experience in person, don’t forget about the Counterpart Cancer Meet-up Hubs. These gatherings are a great opportunity to meet others who understand, share stories, and feel supported in a safe and welcoming space. You can check online here for upcoming sessions and find one near you 📍 Here in our Online Network, everyone’s story matters 🌟 There is strength in vulnerability and courage in reaching out, whether you’re asking a question, sharing an update, or simply reading along and finding reassurance in others’ words. Let’s continue to; 💕Lift each other up 💕 Celebrate the wins big and small 💕Hold space for the hard moments too You never know how much your words might mean to someone else. If you feel comfortable, share what community means to you or a moment when support made a difference in your journey. We’re stronger together 💪ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
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