Home About BCNA Summary of activities

Summary of activities

Working Together - Australia's "big three" breast cancer organisations We all know there is confusion in the community about the roles of the three major national breast cancer organisations, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC), and Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). Each group has a very specific, and different, focus. The main focus of the NBCF is to raise money to fund breast cancer research, with a particular focus on research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. The NBCF's logo, the pink ribbon, is associated with a wide range of products from food items to clothing outlets to various goods and services. The NBCF is a not for profit organisation, based in Sydney. The NBOCC uses the latest research findings to develop and update guidelines for doctors and nurses who specialise in breast cancer. The guidelines help these health professionals to improve all aspects of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and care. The NBOCC is funded by the Australian Government, and is also based in Sydney. 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, no matter who they are or where they live. We also provide a number of services directly to women with breast cancer. We are represented by the Pink Lady silhouette, which depicts our focus; the women diagnosed with breast cancer. BCNA is based in Melbourne. In March 2008, BCNA convened a collaborative meeting between the NBCF, NBOCC and BCNA to discuss ways we can best work together to support each other and, ultimately, reduce the impact of breast cancer on our community.  Participants at the meeting were Ms Sue Murray (NBCF CEO); Hon Ros Kelly (NBCF Chair), Dr Helen Zorbas (NBOCC Director); Dr Megan Keaney (NBOCC Chair); Dr Patricia Edgar (BCNA Chair) and Ms Lyn Swinburne (BCNA CEO). The meeting was very successful and reached the following agreements:   We are all committed to maintaining our focus on breast cancer rather than spreading our efforts more generally; Our achievements in breast cancer should be promoted as a model to other cancer groups who will benefit from our 'trail blazing' and outcomes; There is strength in each organisation working on its own specific mission as part of Australia's overall initiatives against breast cancer; Our work and activities should be informed by each other; It is vital for the community to know that the three organisations collaborate with one another. BCNA already works closely with both the NBCF and the NBOCC. Examples of our work with the NBCF include:   The NBCF invites, and funds, one BCNA representative from each state and territory to attend its annual Research Update in Sydney; Two BCNA representatives sit on the NBCF's Scientific Advisory Committee; BCNA offers national input to the NBCF on the research priorities of women with breast cancer; BCNA provided "consumer" input into the development of NBCF's National Cancer Strategy. Examples of our work with and the NBOCC include: The inclusion of BCNA Advocates at every level of the NBOCC's organisation, including working parties, program teams and advisory groups; BCNA includes the NBOCC's book 'A Guide for Women with Early Breast Cancer' in its My Journey Kit; The NBOCC's newsletter 'From the Source' is included in BCNA's mailings of The Beacon magazine. 'From the Source' is an excellent opportunity for the NBOCC to communicate to women with breast cancer about the work it is doing on their behalf; BCNA CEO Lyn Swinburne is a member of the NBOCC's Board of Directors. All CEOs and Chairs agreed that there is much to be gained by increasing our collaborative efforts and that regular future meetings of the three organisations will be to the benefit of all involved. BCNA's Programs  BCNA provides a variety of programs to raise awareness of breast cancer and provide support to survivors and their families. These include: My Journey Kit The My Journey Kit is a free comprehensive information kit for Australians newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Women can telephone 1300 78 55 62, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or complete their details online and their My Journey Kit will arrive within 2-5 working days. The Kit was developed over several years following input from hundreds of breast cancer survivors around the country. It is endorsed by relevant Medical Colleges in Australia including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.  Seat at the Table This program recruits, trains and supports breast cancer survivors as Consumer Representatives on a variety of national and state committees where decisions are made with regard to breast cancer. BCNA’s Seat at the Table program is internationally recognised as best practice in the area of consumer involvement in health care. The Beacon BCNA produces and distributes a free, quarterly national magazine, The Beacon, with a circulation of over 33,000. The Inside Story This free quarterly supplement to The Beacon magazine focusses on issues for women with secondary breast cancer. Brochures and other resources BCNA produces a range of brochures and resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Messages of Hope and Helping a Friend or Colleague with Breast Cancer are two of our favourites. My Care Kit The My Care Kit - containing a Berlei bra and soft form/s (if required) - is available free of charge to women in Australia who undergo surgery for breast cancer. The bra has been specifically designed by Berlei to cover the post-surgery period of up to 12 weeks and can be worn during radiation treatment. This service is currently available to newly diagnosed women via breast care nurses and community nurses in the My Care Kit program. Once enrolled, breast care nurses are entitled to order the kits via email and to give them to their breast cancer surgery patients. Field of Women The Field of Women, which travels around Australia, consists of 15,800 silhouettes. 13,000 bright pink silhouettes represent the number of Australian women now diagnosed annually, and 100 blue silhouettes for the men diagnosed annually. 2,700 white silhouettes represent the Australians who lose their lives to breast cancer each year. The silhouettes are now seen internationally, with various overseas groups presenting their own Fields of Women. In addition to the major Field, each year approximately 150  Mini-Fields of Women are presented in communities across Australia. Field of Women - Live in 2005 On the evening of 6 May 2005, 11,500 women wearing pink ponchos and 100 men wearing blue ponchos stood on the Melbourne Cricket Ground before the Adelaide v Melbourne football match. It was a spectacular sight, and extraordinary mixture of celebration and sadness. We raised the awareness of breast cancer across the country, reaching people who haven’t previously known about its impact.  This will be repeated in Sydney on August 11 2007, at Telstra Dome. Freecall number Our national freecall telephone number - 1800 500 258 - enables women, regardless of where they live in Australia, to make direct contact with BCNA at no cost. Website This website is a great one-stop shop to learn about the wide range of activities undertaken by the organisation. It includes information about all BCNA programs, some background to the organisation and contact details. You can download BCNA's brochures and back copies of The Beacon. One of the most popular sections is the collection of personal stories of breast cancer survivors. For more information The website contains a great deal of information about our work. A report BCNA activities for 2003-2005 can be downloaded  BCNA activities for 2003-2005 957.81 Kb  (For this large file size recommend saving to disk before opening. Right click and "Save Target as" ). Alternatively ring 1800 500 258 for your own copy.