Australian 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 reporting
S E QUEENSLAND SUPPORT GROUPS
If YOU live in SE Qld from Northern NSW to Mackay I have compiled a list of face to face support groups. I started local support group on the Gold Coast back in 2019 and we now have 630 members - We opened our support group to include Ovarian due to the BRCA gene then gradually to ALL cancers for women on the Gold Coast. We have Local leaders in each postcode/suburb and TYPE Leaders for each cancer so there are a lot of events and we have even got FREE exercise classes now three times a week at Palm Beach, Coomera & Southport. Also aqua classes ($5) but have a great support TRIBE where we BUDDY newcomers to the group and have ladies sewing and making PORT/Seatbelt cushions, bags for BFF Ponchos we deliver to ladies having mastectomies, and have hospital visit fairies who visit our lovelies in hospital and take one of CARE PACKS with ear plugs, sleep masks, hand sanitiser, tissues, hand fan, cool towel, chemical free deodorant, cleanser, and other toiletries and skincare, stress ball for exercise arms after breast surgery, non-slip socks, a journal and pen and mandala colouring KIT, hand crocheted Worry Worm and other items when donated. We also have a lot of WIGS & Headwear we loan to our members, and handy items like wheelie walkers, shower chair, wheelchair etc. We will have our website working by Wednesday https://wcsgc.au and will have our interactive LIVE calendar working then too.
Reclaim Your Curves - Choosing Breast Reconstruction - Sydney Support Lunch Sunday 24 June 2018
Dragonfly Cafe, Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park 12noon to 3pm Come along and join us over lunch – a relaxed and informal setting in which you can ask any questions you may have, share any gems of information you may have gathered, and meet up with other women who understand and share a similar experience to yours. Look forward to meeting you. Annmaree and Rosemary
I am not cancer. I am me.
Gardener, artist, writer, musician, athlete, daughter, sister, aunty, wife, mum, grandmother... In our first major appeal of 2016, we’re not just asking people to give to BCNA. We’re inviting women and men affected by breast cancer to create their own supporter pages and share their stories. We know you are more than cancer and we want to highlight the unique and special lives of BCNA members. Joanne Maillet is a BCNA online network member and Community Liaison. She was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, at the age of 26. But she is so much more than her diagnosis. She is a reality TV lover, a coffee connoisseur and passionate about helping people. Check out Jo’s story here. Check out the stories of some of our fundraisers like Bissie, Shirley, Bec, and Dayna. Consider making a donation or creating your own page and encouraging your family and friends to donate. Every little bit helps and your support goes towards helping thousands of women and men in Australia affected by breast cancer. Visit http://me.bcna.org.au/ to find out more.Boarding for breast cancer
Here's a cool and very different kind of breast cancer awareness event. Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is US event committed to spreading breast cancer awareness to young people in the action sports community and it just celebrated its 20th anniversary. It took place at Sierra Nevada, a gorgeous mountain range that's mostly in California. Image: Mahfia.tv When I attended the BCNA Forum here in Victoria in February, some women expressed concern for their young daughters and even younger grand-daughters. While breast cancer in young women is rare, there's a sense that more could be done to educate them. Reaching over 100,000 people a year, it sounds like B4BC is an unconventional, but fun and effective way to do that. Read the article here and check out the beautiful photos.
