There are four major breast cancer organisations in Australia, including Breast Cancer Network Australia. These four organisations have different roles and missions, and work together to achieve the best possible treatments and care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This partnership enables us to work where there are gaps and avoid duplication of our activities, to achieve the best results for women.
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. We work to ensure that Australians diagnosed with breast cancer and their families receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible. We are based in Melbourne and represented by the Pink Lady silhouette.
website: www.bcna.org.au
phone: 1800 500 258
National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is a leading community-funded organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. Since the NBCF was established in 1994, more than $97 million has been awarded to fund over 340 Australian-based research projects across every state and territory to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer. The NBCF is based in Sydney and represented by the Pink Ribbon.
website: www.nbcf.org.au
phone: 1300 708 763
McGrath Foundation
The McGrath Foundation’s mission is to ensure that Australian families experiencing breast cancer have access to a breast care nurse no matter where they live or their financial situation. More than 80 Breast Care Nurses have been placed in communities across Australia in recent years to help coordinate treatment and provide support to women and their families. The McGrath Foundation also takes on an educative role, working to raise breast awareness among young women. The Foundation was established in 2005 by Jane and Glenn McGrath and is located in Sydney.
website: www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
phone: 02 8962 6100
Cancer Australia
Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of cancer and improve the well-being of those diagnosed by ensuring that evidence informs cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care. As the lead national cancer control agency, Cancer Australia also makes recommendations to the Australian Government about cancer policy and priorities.
Cancer Australia develops and distributes clinical guidelines for 'best practice' health care to improve the diagnosis, treatment and support of women with breast cancer. It produces a number of information resources for health professionals and people affected by breast cancer, including the Guide for women with early breast cancer, which is included in BCNA's My Journey Kit. Cancer Australia’s head office is in Sydney.
website: www.canceraustralia.gov.au
phone: 1800 624 973
Other organisations
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Australia works with its members, the eight state and territory Cancer Councils, to undertake and fund cancer research, prevent and control cancer and provide information and support for people affected by cancer. People affected by cancer can contact the Cancer Councils Helplines in each state and territory for practical telephone support from trained volunteers, who have experienced cancer themselves.
website: www.cancer.org.au
phone: 13 11 20 - Cancer Council Helpline
BreastScreen Australia
BreastScreen provides free screening mammograms, and follow up tests where necessary, to find breast cancer early before any symptoms are noticed and when treatment is likely to be most successful. BreastScreen is targeted specifically at well women without symptoms aged 50-69, although women aged 40-49 and 70 years and older are able to attend for screening. BreastScreen operates in over 500 locations nationwide and is managed at the state level, therefore can operate slightly differently in each state and territory.
website: www.cancerscreening.gov.au
phone: 13 20 50
Dragons Abreast Australia
Following a Canadian research project into the benefits of upper limb exercise for women following breast surgery, Dragon Boating has become an integral part of many survivors' recreation and personal support network. Dragons Abreast Australia is a national organisation offering breast cancer survivors the chance to participate in the sport of dragon boating, providing women with exercise, fun and support. There are dragon boat clubs around Australia. See their website for a list of locations.
website: www.dragonsabreast.com.au
Familial Cancer Centres
Family cancer clinics provide counselling and information for families with a history of cancer, including breast cancer. This can include information on inheriting cancer, screening for cancer, individual risk of developing cancer and strategies to reduce this risk. They also provide genetic testing where appropriate, including for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for women with a strong family history of breast cancer. The clinics are conducted through the public hospital system and there is no charge to women for a consultation or for genetic testing.
website: www.cancer.org.au/Healthprofessionals/FamilyCancers/familycancerclinics.htm
Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group
The ANZBCTG conducts a clinical trials research program in Australia and New Zealand for the prevention, treatment and cure of breast cancer. If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, you should discuss this with your doctor. More information about clinical trials, and how they are conducted, is available on their website.
website: www.anzbctg.org
Breast Cancer Institute of Australia
The Breast Cancer Institute of Australia raises funds, including through public campaigns, to support the clinical trials conducted by the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group.
website: www.bcia.org.au
freecall: 1800 423 444
Clinical Guidelines Network
Cancer Council Australia's Clinical Guidelines Network (formerly Australian Cancer Network) develops and disseminates high quality, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of cancer. It is a service provided by Cancer Council Australia to inform clinical practice and ultimately improve cancer management in Australia. More than 70 interest groups, covering basic science through medical and nursing care to public health are associated with the Network.
website: www.cancer.org.au/health-professionals/clinical-guidelines-network
