Bunbury Information Forum

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) hosted an Information Forum in Bunbury, WA, in June 2023 for everyone affected by breast cancer, including their supporters. 

The forum covered a range of topics including current and emerging treatments to support living well with early and metastatic breast cancer, strategies to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing, and living well during treatment and beyond. 

It was an opportunity to hear from a range of breast cancer experts, as well as a panel made up of local community groups and BCNA members who will share their lived experiences with you. 

Expert guest speakers

A range of expert guest speakers including Associate Professor Andrew Redfern, oncology social worker Dr Carrie Lethborg and physiotherapist Pia Jorgensen presented at the forum. 

Andy Redfern is Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Western Australia, Associate Director for Clinical Strategy at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, and Medical Director of Linear Clinical Research specialising in early phase human trials. Beyond a clinical practice treating breast and urological cancers, he is principal investigator for a range of clinical trials across all phases and has a portfolio of translational research initiatives. His research interests centre around growth signalling and mechanisms of chemotherapy and hormone therapy resistance in cancer, differentiation and EMT in cancer progression, tumour-stroma interactions and Indigenous cancer biology. Andy is also chairman and lead clinician of the State Breast Cancer Collaborative and is on scientific advisory boards for the Cancer Council of Western Australia, the Australasian Breast Cancer Trials Group, the ANZ Urologenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group and the Genomics Cancer Clinical Trials Initiative.   

Dr Carrie Lethborg is an oncology social worker and a leading expert in cancer care. Carrie has more than 30 years’ experience supporting people with cancer and their families and has worked with BCNA for over 10 years. She has completed research in post treatment experiences of breast cancer, meaning based coping, palliative care, inequity in cancer care and the experience of cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has held honorary research fellowships at Peter Mac Callum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne and Monash Medical Centre. She currently works at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and the Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania and provides staff support for the Ovarian Cancer Australia and the Cancer Council of Victoria. 

Pia Jorgensen has been a qualified physiotherapist since 2007 and has since completed a masters in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy in 2018 and has been titled APA sport and exercise physiotherapist in 2019. Pia fell into Lymphoedema and cording management by accident back in 2014 but found it extremely rewarding and started formal lymphoedema training in 2015. Pia completed PINC & STEEL training through COVID and was recognised by the APA in 2021 and titled in lymphoedema and oncology rehabilitation. Having a long history in gymnastics, I have always had a passion to keep people moving and help them to enjoy living their best life. 

Panel discussion

It was also an opportunity to hear more about the BCNA services and resources available, via a panel made up of local community groups and BCNA members, who shared their lived experiences. 

Watch the videos