Fact sheets and booklets

BCNA produces a range of fact sheets and booklets for women with breast cancer, and their families. These currently include:

Fact sheets and booklets can be downloaded below, but if you would like a hardcopy of any resource call 1800 500 258 and we will send it to you in the mail. If you would like to provide feedback about any of these fact sheets or booklets, email beacon@bcna.org.au or call 1800 500 258.


Breast cancer and exercise

BCNA's Breast cancer and exercise booklet has been designed to help women diagnosed with breast cancer to exercise regularly, and contains information on the benefits of exercise, the amount of exercise recommended for women diagnosed with breast cancer, practical strategies to stay motivated, and an exercise diary to keep track of your achievements. The booklet also contains information on diet and weight loss.

This resource was developed in consultation with women diagnosed with breast cancer, health professionals, and leading researchers in the field.


Breast cancer pathology

We know pathology reports can be confusing, and that sometimes doctors don't discuss them with women. You may not have seen your pathology report or had a chance to ask questions about it. The comprehensive breast cancer pathology fact sheet provides information on:

  • what is included in a pathology report
  • what the terminology means
  • how you can obtain a copy of your report, even years after your treatment has finished
  • you can also download and read the Glossary of Pathology terms.

The Breast Cancer Pathology Fact Sheet was produced in partnership with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). You can find out more about them on the RCPA website.


Breast cancer and sexual wellbeing

The Breast cancer and sexual wellbeing booklet outlines practical strategies to help address issues such as the loss of desire, the physical symptoms of menopause including vaginal dryness, building and rebuilding emotional and physical intimacy with a partner, talking to a health professional about sexual wellbeing concerns, and finding additional information and support. Relationships Australia helps BCNA distribute this booklet.


Clinical trials

Clinical trials are research studies that involve patients to help find better treatments. In breast cancer, there are clinical trials for a range of treatments (including prevention). The clinical trials fact sheet looks at why we need clinical trials, who runs them, how patients are protected and how you can get involved.


Depression and breast cancer

Breast Cancer Network Australia and beyondblue, the national depression initiative, have developed a fact sheet on depression, detailing its links with breast cancer, available treatments and how to help yourself or someone close to you.


Family history

Only 5% to 10% of breast cancer can be strongly linked to inherited factors. Most breast cancer has no association with a family link. The family history fact sheet explains when family history may be important in breast cancer risk and the options available if you have concerns about a strong family history.


Fertility-related choices: A decision aid for younger women

The Fertility-related Choices booklet has be written for young women who have recently been diagnosed with early breast cancer. It contains information about cancer treatment, how it can affect fertility, and fertility options to consider. This booklet may be helpful if you are still of reproductive age (having regular periods and no menopausal symptoms), and are thinking of starting a family or having more children in the future.


Financial and practical assistance

The Financial and practical assistance fact sheet outlines a range of benefits, subsidies and services that may be available for women and their families to help reduce the financial impact of a diagnosis of breast cancer.


Hair loss

Because it's visible to others, hair loss (alopecia) can be one of the more distressing aspects of your treatment for breast cancer. The hair loss fact sheet looks at how to prepare yourself for hair loss, and steps you can take to reduce its impact.


Hormone Therapy and breast cancer

The Hormone Therapy and breast cancer booklet is specifically directed at women who are currently taking a hormone therapy as part of their breast cancer treatment.  Hormone therapies include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (such as Arimidex™, Aromasin™ and Femara™).

The booklet explains how these drugs work, why they are so effective at preventing breast cancer recurrences, and provides tips for women on how to manage some of the side-effects.  The booklet was developed in consultation with women with breast cancer and health professionals.


Lymphoedema - Reducing your risk and Travel tips for reducing your risk

As part of the treatment of breast cancer, you may have lymph nodes removed from your armpit (axilla) during breast cancer surgery. This puts the arm on that side of the body at risk of developing lymphoedema (swelling of the arm).

The lymphoedema fact sheet provides information on lymphoedema, including how to reduce your risk and how to manage symptoms.

Travel tips for reducing your risk of lymphoedema

Some people have reported that lymphoedema is exacerbated by air travel and long car, bus or train trips. The reducing your risk of lymphoedema during travel fact sheet looks at theories about why travel may lead to the development of lymphoedema and how you can reduce your risks.


Lymphoedema - Compression garment subsidies

Subsidies for lymphoedema compression garments provide people diagnosed with lymphoedema with financial assistance towards the costs of their garments. The schemes are run by states and territory governments, and cover some or all of the cost of compression garments. Unfortunately there is no subsidy program offered in Queensland or South Australia. The Lymphoedema compression garment subsidies fact sheet provides information about the schemes and how they operate.


Menopause and breast cancer

The Menopause and breast cancer booklet has been designed for women who are experiencing menopause and/or menopausal symptoms as a result of their breast cancer treatment.  The booklet explains why some treatments, including chemotherapy and hormone therapies, may cause menopause or mimic menopausal symptoms. The booklet includes plenty of tips for managing symptoms, and was developed in consultation with women with breast cancer and health professionals.


Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS)

Patient Assisted Transport Schemes provide people in rural areas of Australia with financial assistance towards the costs of travelling to specialist medical services for treatment. The PATS fact sheet provides information about the schemes and how they operate.


Tax free superannuation payments for people with a terminal illness

Accessing superannuation early is a sensitive and complex decision for you and your family. The superannuation payments fact sheet provides up-to-date and straightforward information to assist you in making the decision that's right for you and your family.


Travel insurance

These fact sheets provide information on obtaining travel insurance for women who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer.

There is also a fact sheet if you want to make a complaint about your travel insurance.


Downloads

 

My Journey Kit

My Journey Kit is a free, comprehensive information resource for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

You can order the kit online, or by phoning 1800 500 258.

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