Upfront About Breast Cancer

Let’s be Upfront about the fact that men get breast cancer too. 63 year-old Tasmanian Phil Purnell had no idea that men could get breast cancer when he found a lump in his breast and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (stage 2 breast cancer) in March. In this episode, Phil shares a candid insight in to his breast cancer journey as a man, which was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also joining us is breast cancer specialist, radiation oncologist and author, Professor John Boyages, who has written booklets on the subject of male breast cancer.

This episode covers:

• the shock of diagnosis when Phil had no idea that men even could get breast cancer
• why breast cancer isn’t as common in men
• the role of genetics in the male breast cancer experience
• the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on male fertility and notions of masculinity
• the experience of treatment and options available to men
• the physical and psychological impact of breast cancer treatment.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up for the My Journey online tool, which has a range of resources available for men diagnosed with breast cancer, including information on support and treatment specifically for men.
• Visit our Online Network, where you will find a dedicated discussion group for men diagnosed with breast cancer.

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258

We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting.

In this special episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, we’re joined by federal parliamentarian Peta Murphy MP. Peta was first diagnosed with early breast cancer at age 37, and found out she had metastatic breast cancer nine years later, just two days after she was sworn in to parliament.

We invited Peta to put a rear-view lens on her life with breast cancer and write a letter to herself. In this podcast, you’ll hear that letter as well as Peta’s story in her own words. We explore Peta’s experience of displaying strength through vulnerability, the many emotions tied up in a breast cancer journey and, ultimately, how Peta’s using her position to improve the lives of others living with breast cancer.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up for the My Journey online tool, which has a range of resources available people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
• Visit our Online Network, where you will find a dedicated discussion group for those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258

We recommend listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting. 

Let’s be upfront about caring for someone with breast cancer. Being a carer can mean many different things, and usually involves providing both practical and emotional support to a loved one.

In this episode, we are joined by Joel Domigan, whose wife Jules was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 34, when the couple had just fallen pregnant with their first child. In this episode, recorded while Jules was receiving palliative care, Joel opens up about his role in providing care and support for his wife while also trying to look after himself.

This episode covers:

• the importance of looking after yourself as a carer and seeking support as required
• coping with day-to-day life including work and childcare while dealing with treatment and palliative care
• the pressures of being a carer; including the difficulty of finding time for yourself
• the importance of being present and focusing on controlling the controllable.

Sadly, a week after recording this podcast, Jules passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. We thank Joel for talking to us and sharing his story at a difficult time for him and his family.

RESOURCES:

• My Journey online tool
• BCNA Online Network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting.

Let’s be Upfront about breast cancer in young women. Well known TV personality and business owner Sally Obermeder was 40 weeks pregnant with her first child when she was diagnosed with triple negative Stage 3 breast cancer. One week after her daughter was born, she returned to hospital to begin chemotherapy. In this episode, Sally speaks candidly about her personal experience; from diagnosis to treatment, including her decision to use a surrogate for her second child.

This episode covers:

• the shock and emotional impact of diagnosis
• the effect of diagnosis on relationships and the importance of a support network
• finding joy and happiness in dark times and being honest with yourself and others throughout
• the experience of treatment and post-treatment, including decisions around surgery
• the impact of diagnosis, treatment and surgery on body image and self-confidence
• fertility and surrogacy.

RESOURCES:

• Sign up for the My Journey online tool
• BCNA online network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Sussan.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Let’s be Upfront about ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. Non-life-threatening and often referred to as ‘stage 0 breast cancer’, the experience and treatment of DCIS can be significant and frightening, so it’s important to understand the facts.

There is a lot of confusion about what DCIS is, its inconsistent terminology and why treatment options can be so significant if it’s not actually considered invasive breast cancer.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ellis Zonderhuis, who was diagnosed with DCIS in 2019, as well as Dr Jocelyn Lippey, who specialises in oncoplastic breast surgery.

This episode covers:

· What exactly DCIS is – is it breast cancer or not?

· What the common treatment options for DCIS look like

· The relationship between DCIS and breast cancer

· Follow up care, recovery and recurrence

RESOURCES:

• DCIS – the facts
• Questions you might want to ask when diagnosed with DCIS
• BCNA online network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Let’s be Upfront about palliative care. To many, those two words prompt fear, and thoughts of death and dying. In reality, palliative care offers so much beyond just end of life care for those living with metastatic breast cancer; focusing on symptom management and ensuring quality of life.

In this episode, we’re joined by BCNA Community Liaison Marie Pandeloglou, who, following a breast cancer diagnosis 10 years ago, has been living with metastatic breast cancer for the past five years. Also offering their insight and expertise is Medical Oncologist and Palliative Medicine Physician Associate Professor Michael Franco.

This episode covers:

• Palliative care as a holistic approach to symptom management involving a multidisciplinary team
• When to access palliative care
• The value in building a strong relationship with your palliative care team
• Marie’s recent experience of accessing palliative care
• The cost involved in accessing palliative care

RESOURCES:

• The role of palliative care article on the My Journey online tool
• Managing symptoms and treatment side effects article on the My Journey online tool
• Sign up to the My Journey online tool
• BCNA online network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Cancer Australia.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Marie died in February 2021. She was happy for us to continue to share this content and her story.

Let’s be Upfront about invasive lobular carcinoma. The second most common form of invasive breast cancer, picking up lobular carcinoma on mammograms can be difficult as they often don’t present as a lump in the breast.

In this episode, we’re joined by BCNA board member, surgical oncologist and specialist breast surgeon Professor Bruce Mann to help break down all of the information around invasive lobular carcinoma.

This episode covers:

• What invasive lobular carcinoma is
• Detection of invasive lobular carcinoma, often in the absence of a lump
• How invasive lobular carcinoma is diagnosed
• The role of artificial intelligence and computer algorithms in diagnosis
• Treatment of invasive lobular carcinoma

RESOURCES:

• The types and subtypes of breast cancer
• Sign up for the My Journey online tool
• BCNA online network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Cancer Australia.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

In this episode, Upfront sits down with Australian Olympic legend and BCNA board member Raelene Boyle AM, MBE.

Speaking openly and honestly about her cancer journey, Raelene discusses the mental impact of her breast cancer diagnosis, the experience of survivor guilt, how the darkness can still overwhelm her and the strategies she’s developed over the years to pull herself out of it.

This episode takes a deep and personal look at Raelene’s life as well as the important and celebrated role she has played within BCNA over the last twenty years. It covers:

· The importance of a support network

· Coping with depression

· Dealing with the “what now?” after treatment ends

· Exercise as a positive coping strategy

· Summing up twenty years involvement with BCNA

RESOURCES:

• My Journey online tool article on  on 'Coping with the emotional effects of breast cancer treatment'
• BCNA online network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Cancer Australia.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Let’s be Upfront about where we’re at with COVID-19 (coronavirus). With restrictions beginning to ease in some parts of the country, we’re taking a good look at the current situation and what it means for people at different stages of their breast cancer journey.

In this episode, we’re joined by BCNA board member, surgical oncologist and specialist breast surgeon Professor Bruce Mann, as well as BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti.

This episode covers:

• The anxiety many women are experiencing about heading back out in to the world as COVID-19 restrictions start to ease
• The importance of still accessing treatment, seeing a specialist, getting a mammogram, consulting your GP or generally accessing care if you have any concerns
• The benefits, challenges and risks of telehealth, including when to access services via telehealth and when a face to face appointment is more suitable
• Reintroduction of elective surgery and what it means for women waiting for breast reconstructions
• The optimal care pathway and its importance in guiding breast cancer care before, during and after COVID-19

RESOURCES:

• My Journey online tool coronavirus https://myjourney.org.au/article/3154hub
• BCNA Online Network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly empowered by Red Energy.

• Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Let’s be Upfront about end of life. A topic almost too sad to talk about, but too important not to, palliative care and exploring end of life options are a reality for the 3000 Australians who die of breast cancer each year. While breast cancer survival rates have never been better, little is understood about palliative care and what end of life looks like.

Upfront is joined by Jules Domigan, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 34. Jules, an advocate for talking openly and frankly about end of life, bravely opens up about balancing her fight for life, living life, finding the joy and leaving a legacy of love.

Jules died in April 2020. She was happy for us to continue to share this content and her story.

We recommend listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting.

Due to current circumstances, this podcast was recorded remotely. Listeners may notice a slight difference in audio quality when compared with previous episodes.

RESOURCES:

• My Journey

• BCNA Online Network

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons, and this episode is proudly brought to you by Dry July.

Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [email protected], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258.