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Young Women E-Bulletin 9
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Dear Young Women E-list Members,
Greetings and welcome to this edition of the Young Women's E-Bulletin. We hope that you find the information of interest.
News and Current Affairs
Recent Election Outcome.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced his new Federal Cabinet this week, with Nicola Roxon appointed Minister for Health and Ageing. Prior to the election Ms Roxon was Labor's spokesperson for Health and BCNA had already established a good working relationship with her. Tanya Plibersek has been assigned the Office of the Status of Women portfolio. BCNA will be working with the newly elected Labor Government in order to ensure improved outcomes for women experiencing breast cancer.
Tykerb Update
Tykerb is a fairly new treatment option for women experiencing secondary breast cancer for whom Herceptin has proven to be ineffective. Tykerb is not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), although women in Australia have been able to access it at no cost through GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Tykerb Access Program (TAP). However, from December 1 women enrolling in TAP will be required to pay $16,000 for the first four treatments. If Tykerb is effective, they will then continue to receive the drug at no cost.
BCNA has written to GSK urging them to extend TAP at least until a decision is reached by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) about listing on the PBS, expected to occur in March next year. GSK, has refused. BCNA is extremely disappointed at GSK's failure to act, and surprised that their previous commitment to achieving better outcomes for women seems to be waning. BCNA will continue to lobby GSK to extend the TAP. To view the latest news click here and to view other news about Tykerb on our website, click here.
BCNA News
Sussan Fun Run 2007 - Melbourne Only
BCNA was thrilled to be the official charity for the Sussan Women's Fun Run on Sunday.
The Fun Run took place at the Cantani Gardens in St Kilda, and four of our Community Liaison women came along to cheer on participants and speak to women about BCNA and our work. To view photos and read more about this event click here.
Up Close and Personal Conference
BCNA's report on the Up Close and Personal Conference will be available on our website by the end of the year. To view key recommendations from the conference click here.
Reseach Updates
Memory Impairments with Adjuvant Anastrozole Versus Tamoxifen in Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
In this article in the journal Menopause the authors discuss how the type of treatment used to treat breast cancer can impact on a woman's cognitive function. Researchers have found that cognitive impairment was more severe in those who were treated with adjuvant tamoxifen therapy compared with women who were treated with solely chemotherapy or no adjuvant therapy.
Abstract
Extra Radiation Dose May Reduce Breast Cancer Return in Young Women
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) conference was held in Los Angeles in October in 2007. At the conference a report was presented regarding a large European study on women aged 40 years and younger with early-stage breast cancer who receive an additional high dose of radiation (boost dose) after undergoing breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) and standard radiation treatment. The research showed that these women were almost twice as likely to be free of cancer 10 years after treatment, in contrast to those women who didn't receive the additional dose. The findings also showed that women of all ages would benefit from this additional dose.
Abstract
Other information and Resources
Communication Skills Training for GPs
The National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) has developed a new communication skills module designed for general practitioners. The module incorporates 3 already existing NBCC communication skills modules, ‘Breaking bad news', ‘Discussing prognosis' and ‘Eliciting and responding to emotional cues'.
The GP module also features an interactive DVD based on several GP consultation situations, including breast cancer, for workshop discussion. Before the module is finalised the NBCC will be running a further 10 workshops across the country through Divisions of General Practice to evaluate the content. You might like to mention this training to your GP. Further information about the GP module will be featured in an upcoming edition of the NBCC's newsletter Bre@stnews. For additional information contact Heidi Wilcoxon at NBCC on
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or call 02 9036 3050.
ABC Radio National Health Reports
Sexual Function in Women with Breast Cancer
Norman Swan from the ABC Radio National program the ‘Health Report' interviews clinical oncologist Kelly Mok about some new research investigating strategies to improve sexual function in women with breast cancer. The researchers were prompted by the fact that many young women undergoing treatment for breast cancer may discover that chemotherapy and other drugs have induced an early menopause. Menopause may be temporary or permanent, and can have a resulting impact on sexual function in a number of ways. To view the full transcripts click here and then on ‘show transcript'.
Cancer Clusters
In this edition of the Health Report Norman Swan spoke with Professor Bernard Stewart from the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Public Health Unit in New South Wales about the concern that the number of cancer clusters being identified in Australian workplaces is increasing. To read the full transcripts click here and then on ‘show transcript'.
Ask-the-Expert Breastcancer.org Online Forum
Although breastcancer.org is an American website, it can be very useful for Australian women. It has an extensive range of information about breast cancer for young women, as well as chat rooms and discussion boards. In addition, breastcancer.org has conducted many online forums with guest medical speakers addressing a range of issues including managing ongoing medications, lymphoedema, reconstruction updates and psychosocial support amongst others. You can read the full transcripts of these online forums here.
Let us know...
We want to be sure that our E-Bulletins contain information that is helpful and relevant to you. Please email any suggestions to us at
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We are always keen to include personal stories in The Beacon, The Inside Story supplement or on our website. Sometimes writing about a particular part of the journey can be really helpful for other readers. If you are inspired, please send us your story (including a photo of yourself) to
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The information contained in this E-Bulletin has been gathered from various sources to keep E-list members up-to-date with the latest relevant news and information. The contents of the listings are not necessarily endorsed by BCNA.
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