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Early breast cancer

Information and resources for early breast cancer

My Journey

BCNA’s key resource for people diagnosed with breast cancer is My Journey.

My Journey offers information and support tailored to an individual’s specific needs at all stages of their breast cancer journey including early breast cancer, DCIS, metastatic breast cancer and survivorship.

Read frequently asked questions about My Journey.

My Care Kit

My Care Kit contains a specially designed Berlei post-surgical bra and soft form/s. It is provided free of charge to anyone who has recently had breast surgery. To order My Care Kits, you must be registered for the My Care Kit program.

The My Care Kit program is provided through a generous partnership between BCNA and Berlei.

Each My Care Kit includes:

  • a post-surgical bra - featuring seams and lining that avoid pressure, extra hooks and eyes in the back to allow for any swelling. It can be worn during radiation treatment
  • soft form insert(s) that can be modified to size in a style that caters for support and comfort
  • a copy of our latest edition of The Beacon
  • discount card from Berlei
  • a Medicare External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program flyer. 

For more information, email: mycarekit@bcna.org.au or phone 1800 500 258.

My Care Kit ordering guide

For more information on how to order the My Care Kit, including sizing charts for post-surgical bras, please see BCNA's My Care Kit ordering guide. 

Fact sheets and booklets for early breast cancer

BCNA has a comprehensive range of booklets and fact sheets for people with breast cancer, their families and colleagues. More information on booklets and fact sheets can be found on the public resources page.

Booklets and fact sheets appropriate to an early breast cancer diagnosis include:

  • Anxiety, depression and breast cancer
  • Beware Dr Google: A guide to reliable breast cancer information on the internet
  • Bone health and breast cancer
  • Breast cancer pathology
  • Breast cancer and sexual wellbeing 
  • Clinical trials
  • Chronic disease management plans
  • Exercise and breast cancer
  • Family history
  • Fertility-related choices: A decision aid for younger women 
  • Financial and practical assistance
  • Hair loss during breast cancer treatment
  • Healthy eating and breast cancer
  • Hormone therapy and breast cancer
  • I wish I could fix it: Supporting a partner through breast cancer  
  • Lymphoedema
  • Men get breast cancer too
  • Menopause and breast cancer
  • Patient Assisted Transport Schemes (PATS)
  • Sleepless nights: Breast cancer and sleep
  • Tax free superannuation payments for people with a terminal illness
  • Travel insurance

To order resources

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the unforeseen reduction in fundraising income, BCNA is experiencing increased financial pressure across all of our services right now. We have therefore made a decision to temporarily suspend the distribution of hard copies of My Journey, Hope & Hurdles and the DCIS booklets and ask that you instead refer your patients to the My Journey. The platform provides the most up-to-date, tailored information based on your patient’s diagnosis. If your patient does not have internet access, or you need any further support or information about the My Journey, please call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Thank you for your understanding and support to work with us during this time so that BCNA can continue to provide these free services to your patients.

Please note: health professionals and members of the public can download BCNA fact sheets and booklets from the public resources page.

Website pages related to early breast cancer:

BCNA’s website undergoes a process of continuous review and update to include the latest evidence-based information. 

Most information relating to an early breast cancer diagnosis is accessed through the Understanding breast cancer menu item. Some of the other public pages that relate to a diagnosis of early breast cancer are listed below for easy reference and so that you can direct people to them:

Other resources 

Resources for carers of a person with early breast cancer

Many Australians diagnosed with breast cancer will have a partner, family member or friend who provides regular support, personal care or assistance to them, both during and after treatment.

Many carers experience a range of complex and difficult emotions along the cancer journey. BCNA has compiled information and support for carers, including a video series and fact sheets to guide them and can be found on our Caring for someone with breast cancer webpage. 

Facing breast cancer with a disability

BCNA has developed two new fact sheets Keep breast cancer away and Life after breast cancer which are available in Easy English written form, audio, and HTML for screen readers. A new video, Living with a disability and breast cancer, has also been released which has people sharing their stories of dealing with breast cancer treatment while living with a disability.

Resources for carers of people with a disability who have breast cancer – the video Caring for someone with a disability: the impact of breast cancer and the fact sheets Understanding breast cancer: information for carers of a person with a disability and You’re important too: looking after yourself as a carer – are also available on BCNA’s new Facing breast cancer with a disability webpage.

These resources are in addition to existing resources Sleepless nights, Feeling sad or worried, Lymphoedema, and Bone health and breast cancer, which are all available on BCNA’s Accessible resources page in Easy English, audio and HTML formats.