BCNA

Telling your child you have cancer is not an easy thing to do. When do you tell them? How much do they need to know? If you have young children is it easier to not tell them at all? On this episode, Kellie Curtain speaks with breast cancer survivor and mum-of-two Anita Ledger and John Freidsam from CanTeen about starting the conversation, dealing with a child in denial and the importance of keeping the lines of communication open no matter your child's age. RESOURCES: BCNA's My Journey Online Tool https://myjourney.org.au/ BCNA Online Network https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/ My parent has cancer - support and information https://www.canteen.org.au/young-people/my-parent-has-cancer/ Dealing with your parents cancer https://www.canteen.org.au/resource/dealing-with-your-parents-cancer/ Parenting Through Cancer https://www.canteen.org.au/resource/parenting-cancer/ CanTeen Connect for Parents https://parents.canteenconnect.org.au/ Medikidz comic book (early breast cancer)https://www.bcna.org.au/media/2864/medikidsbreastcancercomic.pdf?_ga=2.164515263.1806646580.1564633102-239798582.1511476681 Medikidz comic book (metastatic breast cancer)https://www.bcna.org.au/media/6076/medikidz-comic_cover-page.png?_ga=2.164515263.1806646580.1564633102-239798582.1511476681 Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by the Dry July Foundation. Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/resources/podcasts/episode-6-telling-your-children-you-have-cancer/ Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia: https://www.bcna.org.au/

Breast reconstruction surgery recreates the shape of the breast following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. There are many different kinds of reconstruction and lots to consider - then of course, there's the emotional impact that goes along with it. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain speaks to plastic and reconstructive surgeon Richard Zinn and BCNA Director of Programs and breast cancer survivor Kellie Shewring about reconstruction - including the question of whether you want to have one at all.  RESOURCES: BCNA's My Journey Online Tool - https://myjourney.org.au/ BCNA Online Network: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/ Choosing Reconstruction group: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction BRECONDA breast reconstruction decision aid: https://breconda.bcna.org.au/ BCNA's Surgery page: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/ Breast reconstruction: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/breast-reconstruction/ My Care Kit: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/my-care-kit/ BreastsurgANZ: find a surgeon http://www.breastsurganz.org/find-a-surgeon/ Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons, and this episode was made possible through the Supporting Women In Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia.

Metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer) occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body. This might happen months or years after an early breast cancer diagnosis, or it might be the first diagnosis a person receives. Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but there are many treatments that can help to control it and help the person with the disease enjoy quality of life. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain talks to oncologist Professor Fran Boyle and Georgie Fyfe-Jamieson, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017 about treatment decisions, dealing with anxiety and uncertainty and living well despite the physical and emotional challenges of life after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Georgie died in July 2020. She was happy for us to continue to share this content and her story. RESOURCES: - BCNA's My Journey Online Tool https://myjourney.org.au/ - BCNA's Hope & Hurdles Kit BCNA's free and confidential metastatic breast cancer phone counselling service BCNA Online Network Metastatic breast cancer hub (bcna.org.au) Metastatic breast cancer - where to find support (bcna.org.au) Fear of cancer progression (bcna.org.au) Metastatic breast cancer: an introduction (BCNA fact sheet) Exercise and breast cancer (BCNA fact sheet) Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons, and this episode was made possible through the Supporting Women In Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia.

Most people will experience side effects during breast cancer treatment, but for some people these side effects can become ongoing or even develop months after treatment has ended. Kellie Curtain talks to breast cancer survivor Pauline Prebble and oncologist and clinician scientist at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Dr Belinda Yeo about what to watch for and what you can do to avoid or minimize the side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy. RESOURCES: - BCNA's My Journey Online Tool https://myjourney.org.au - BCNA Online Network https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/ - Managing symptoms and side effects https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/managing-symptoms-and-side-effects/ - Chemotherapy and side effects (bcna.org.au) https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/ - Radiotherapy and side effects https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/ - Hormone blocking therapy - is it worth it? (Webcast) https://login.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/b8a6d8 - Hair loss during breast cancer treatment https://www.bcna.org.au/media/2137/bcna-fact-sheet-hair-loss-during-breastcancer-treatment.pdf?_ga=2.92850014.2129665222.1561687098-967871525.1561687098 - Sleepless nights (BCNA fact sheet)https://www.bcna.org.au/media/3757/bcna-fact-sheet-sleepless-nights-jan-2017.pdf?_ga=2.92850014.2129665222.1561687098-967871525.1561687098 - Exercise and breast cancer https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/exercise-and-staying-fit/ - Lymphoedema https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/lymphoedema/ Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons, and this episode was made possible through the Supporting Women In Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at bcna.org.au/.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can come as a shock. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain speaks with BCNA Helpline Nurse Rosie Brown and breast cancer survivor Cat Mitchell about what to expect and what to prioritise in the days and weeks after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. RESOURCES: - My Journey Online Tool: https://myjourney.org.au/ - BCNA Online Network: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/ - Dealing with a new diagnosis: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/new-diagnosis/ Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons (www.tarasimmons.com/), and this episode is proudly brought to you by the Dry July Foundation (www.dryjuly.com/). Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at www.bcna.org.au.

Did you know that you can split your breast cancer treatment between the public and private hospital systems? Or that you're entitled to access five subsidised sessions with a physio or other allied health professional and 10 sessions with a mental health professional through Medicare? We know that a breast cancer diagnosis can push people to the brink financially - particularly if they are treated in the private health system. BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti explains some of the financial considerations that come with a breast cancer diagnosis and tips on how to navigate the Australian healthcare system to make sure you get the the best possible treatment with the least financial impact - from asking to be bulk-billed to getting into the nitty gritty of your insurance policies. RESOURCES: - BCNA's tips to reduce the financial impact of breast cancer: https://www.bcna.org.au/about-us/advocacy/research-reports/the-financial-impact-of-breast-cancer/tips-to-help-you/ - BCNA's My Journey Online Tool: https://myjourney.org.au/ - BCNA fact sheet: GP Mental Health Treatment Plan: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/booklets-and-fact-sheets/#treatmentplan - BCNA fact sheet: Medicare Chronic disease management plans: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/booklets-and-fact-sheets/#chronicmanagementplans - BCNA fact sheet: Financial and practical assistance: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/booklets-and-fact-sheets/#financial Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons (https://www.tarasimmons.com/), and this episode is proudly brought to you by the Dry July Foundation (https://www.dryjuly.com/). Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at www.bcna.org.au/.

It takes a team of health professionals to treat breast cancer, and it's important that you feel you can talk openly and honestly with your team about any concerns you might have. In this episode, host Kellie Curtain speaks with oncologist Professor Fran Boyle and breast cancer survivor Leslie Gilham about how best to communicate with your health professionals and why, when it comes to your treatment, there's no such thing as a silly question. RESOURCES: - BCNA's My Journey Online Tool: https://myjourney.org.au/ - BCNA Online Network: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/ - BCNA website - your medical team: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/your-medical-team/ - BCNA website - Understanding breast cancer treatment https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/ - BCNA fact sheet: getting the most from the web: a guide to breast cancer information on the internet https://www.bcna.org.au/media/7240/bcna-fact-sheet-dr-google-updated-february-2019.pdf Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by Tara Simmons (www.tarasimmons.com), and this episode was made possible through the Supporting Women In Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program, funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258. Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at www.bcna.org.au/.