Breast Cancer Network Australia
Dear E-list Members,
Welcome to the Young Women's E-Bulletin. October was breast cancer awareness month. BCNA has been very busy this month organising and holding activities and participating in events across Australia.
News and Current Affairs
Young Action on Breast Cancer Conference
On 13-14 October at the Jasper Hotel in Melbourne, Young Action on Breast Cancer (YABC) held their first national conference entitled ‘Up Close and Personal 2'. Over 180 people registered for the conference which was very informative and an opportunity for many young women to connect and share their personal and often inspiring experiences of breast cancer. Key themes that emerged from the conference were fertility issues, pregnancy during and after treatment, isolation and young women connecting with other young women, the impact breast cancer has on relationships with family, partners and friends, and supporting children through the breast cancer experience. BCNA is writing a report on the conference which will be available from our website over the coming weeks.
Election Commitments on Breast Cancer
Both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party have made election promises intended to improve outcomes for women experiencing breast cancer. The Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott MHR released on Breast Cancer Day, the Coalition Government's policy "Better Cancer Care and Support for Women". If re-elected a Coalition Government will:
- provide $23.9 million over 4 years (from 2007-08) to the National Breast Cancer Centre to ensure that all women who have had a mastectomy can access both initial and replacement external breast prostheses. This includes an increased outlay in 2008-09 of $14.5 million in an effort to address the backlog of women (which the Coalition estimates number 50,000) currently waiting for external prostheses
- provide $12 million to the McGrath Foundation to fund 30 specialist breast care nurses across the country.
Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health announced later the same day that the Australian Labor Party will offer an equivalent commitment.
This is great news for Australian women affected by breast cancer, as regardless of the outcome of the federal election, we can expect better outcomes for women experiencing breast cancer. We acknowledge however, that these initiatives can be complex to implement, with a number of systemic issues that can impede progress. The Coalition policy states that BCNA will work with the NBCC to ensure that the prostheses proposal is rolled out effectively.
We will continue our discussions with both major parties over the coming weeks and keep you updated on any further developments.
BCNA Updates
Mini-Fields of Women
As October has come to a close the Mini-Fields of Women are also winding up. We would like to thank all those people who were involved in Mini-Fields of Women for their contributions. To view photos from this event click here. We will continue to update the website as photos continue to roll in from women across the country.
Harnessing Hope, Overcoming Hurdles
BCNA's third forum for women with secondary breast cancer will be held in Brisbane on November 21 2007. The forum coincides with the launch of Hope & Hurdles in Brisbane. The program will feature Dr Nicole McCarthy, medical oncologist presenting on current and future treatment and support options for women. Stephanie Dowrick, breast cancer survivor and best-selling author will present on strategies for dealing with uncertainty and enhancing wellbeing. She will also run an optional mediation session after the lunch break. Women with secondary breast cancer are invited to bring along a guest (partner, relative or friend) to attend. Women with secondary breast cancer will also receive a free Hope & Hurdles Pack. Registration is free. If you are interested in attending, please contact
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or 1800 500 258 to confirm your place by Friday November 16.
Research Updates
Breast Cancer and Pregnancy
Angela Ives, who is the Co-ordinator of the Breast Cancer and Pregnancy Project at the University of Western Australia, presented her research at the Up Close and Personal Conference. Her research focuses on young women who experience pregnancy and fertility issues. Ms Ives reported how young women often feel isolated and that there is little appropriate information and support available to them. Through this research process Ms Ives has identified the need to create a national support and information network which would provide information and support to young women on issues such as fertility, pregnancy, menopause and breast feeding. To read the full presentation you can email
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. FThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
FFor further information contact Angela Ives via email
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The Correlation Between Coping Strategies, Doctor-Patient/Spouse Relationships and Psychological Distress among Women Cancer Patients and their Spouses
In this article in the journal of Psycho-Oncology the authors have undertaken research that focuses on assessing similarities and differences between women cancer patients and their spouses in terms of coping strategies, psychological distress and doctor-patient/spouse relationships; and investigating the impact of formal social support, namely the doctor-patient relationship and coping strategies, on patients' and spouses' psychological distress.
Abstract
Cancer Risk among Users of Oral Contraceptives: Cohort Data from the Royal College of General Practitioner's Oral Contraception Study
In this article in the British Medical Journal the authors use incident data to examine the absolute risks or benefits on cancer associated with oral contraception.
Abstract
Commentary: Ovarian Function Does Not Equal Fertility Does Not Equal Babies
In this article in the journal Oncologists, the authors discuss various arguments over how best to advise patients facing a medical decision when inadequate data is available on which to base a sound opinion.
Abstract
Comparison of Menopausal Symptoms During the First Year of Adjuvant Therapy with Either Exemestane or Tamoxifen in Early Breast Cancer: Report of a Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multicentre Trial Substudy
In this article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology the authors have discussed how hormonal breast cancer treatment increases menopausal symptoms in women. This study investigated differences between the symptoms associated with either adjuvant tamoxifen or exemestane.
Abstract
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