Young Women E-Bulletin 10
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Dear Young Women E-list Members,
Happy New Year! Welcome to the first edition of the Young Women's E-Bulletin for 2008. We hope that you find the information of interest.
BCNA News
Up Close and Personal Conference
The Up Close and Personal Conference was a great opportunity for interested women to come together and hear from a range of speakers covering important issues for young women affected by breast cancer. Issues raised included fertility, psychosocial support, sexuality after breast cancer, and menopause amongst others. BCNA's report on this Conference will be available on our website on Monday.
Recruiting NSW Community Liaisons - Applications Welcome!
Would you like to represent BCNA at a community fundraising event, be the face of a local media story or visit our sponsors to let them know how much we appreciate their support?
BCNA's Seat at the Table (SATT) Program offers a variety of opportunities for women to get involved and is now recruiting NSW women to be our Community Liaisons. We often need local women to represent us and promote how BCNA supports women diagnosed with breast cancer.
To be a Community Liaison you will need to:
•· Be prepared to speak about your own experience of breast cancer;
•· Speak about BCNA and our services for women;
•· Have a little time to share with us.
As well as inviting women who have had breast cancer to join our Community Liaison group we are keen to attract others who have been closely affected by someone else's breast cancer; for example those with a family history of breast cancer.
The SATT Program is running the first one-day Community Liaison Training Program for 2008 for women who live in New South Wales in Leichhardt in Sydney on Thursday 13th March.
If you are interested in supporting BCNA's work in your local community you can read more about how to get involved in the Seat at the Table Program and apply to be a Community Liaison by visiting our website http://www.bcna.org.au/ Click on Seat at the Table under the Policy & Advocacy menu.
Research Updates
Coverage of The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org recently held an on-line forum highlighting the findings from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. This International Symposium was held in Texas from 13-16 December 2007.There were many interesting research findings presented that relate to young women including, new treatment for bone loss, research on fertility and the BRCA gene, and how best to treat tumours using chemotherapy or radiation, to name a few. To read the full transcripts of the online forum click here.
Breastcancer.org is a useful resource as it provides an opportunity for women to communicate online via chat rooms and discussion boards, as well as containing a variety of information relevant to the needs and concerns of young women with breast cancer.
Acupuncture and Fatigue: Current Basis for Shared Communication between Breast Cancer Survivors and Providers
In this article in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship the authors discussed how many survivors of cancer experience fatigue as a common symptom, noting that there is a lack of proven treatments available for managing this. Preliminary research suggests however, that acupuncture may be effective in managing fatigue. It may be possible in the future to integrate the treatment with other approaches. Further research needs to be undertaken, however acupuncture could be considered as a potential treatment option for alleviating fatigue.
Abstract
Levetiracetam for the Treatment of Hot Flashes (Flushes): A Phase II Study
In this article in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer the authors discussed a pilot trial that involved assessing the efficacy and safety of Levetiracetam for treating hot flashes (flushes).The study sample contained women who were experiencing hot flushes, who had a perceived risk of breast cancer, and therefore did not want to increase their risk by using estrogen. These women were experiencing hot flushes approximately 14 times per week. They were given Levetiracetam and data was collected relating to their hot flushes, quality of life and toxicity and then compared with the information taken during the baseline week. Approximately, a third of the sample did not complete the trial because they experienced adverse effects such as dizziness and fatigue. The results found that Levetiracetam has the potential for effectively treating hot flushes, nonetheless further research needs to be undertaken.
Abstract
Information and Resources
BCNA has updated our list of resources which may be useful for young women who have been affected by breast cancer. The list includes books, DVDs and other sources of information which are specifically relevant for the needs and experiences of young women. To view the list click here.
Bald in the Land of Big Hair - Book Review
Bald in the Land of Big Hair by Joni Rodgers (Published by Harper Collins in 2001)
Ann Town, BCNA Advocate and member of BCNA's Advanced Breast Cancer Working Party reviewed this book.
‘Joni Rodgers has a wicked sense of humour as she explains her true-life story of how she dealt with daily life after having a diagnosis of cancer. Her unusual style of writing can be hard to follow at first but once you get started the book is hard to put down. Joni has a theatrical flair to her writing and she is a very flamboyant character.'
‘One of the many insights in the book is when Joni gives examples of how people feel compelled to give free health advice and some of the wacky ideas they suggest such as coffee enemas and Bolivian healing knee socks. I also enjoyed the way she wrote a satirical play about a doctor's appointment making the people come to life with her witty banter.......' To read the full book review click here.
Have your say - Sign up for BCNA's Review & Survey Group
Book reviews like the one above are often written by women in our newly established Review & Survey Group. As BCNA becomes aware of new breast cancer resources such as books, videos, DVDs, and websites we call on women to review them and share the reviews with our members through articles in The Beacon, on our website, or in our E-Bulletins.
The Review & Survey Group members also receive regular notification of various research projects that are seeking participants, with a view to ensuring that women have the opportunity to participate in research, and that their voices are heard. We are hoping to recruit as many as 1,000 women to our Review & Survey Group over the coming year.
To join the Review & Survey Group you can register online or we can send you information. You will need an email account, and we will notify you of surveys, studies and requests to write book reviews. Of course those who sign up for this group are under no obligation to participate in the studies.
To find out more about the Review & Survey Group, you can visit http://www.bcna.org.au/ under Policy and Advocacy / Seat at the Table / Get involved - or you can email
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Breast Cancer Knowledge Online
Breast Cancer Knowledge Online is an information portal that is a collaborative effort involving women who have experienced breast cancer and researchers from Monash University. Users of the portal are able to research a variety of different types of information from personal, and psychosocial through to medical. The information can be presented in a brief non-scientific format or a more detailed scientific format. The creators of the resource also invite users of the site to provide feedback through an online survey. To view this website click 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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