Upfront About Breast Cancer

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
• 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.

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/.

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 to 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
• BCNA Online Network
• Managing symptoms and side effects (bcna.org.au)
• Chemotherapy and side effects (bcna.org.au)
• Radiotherapy and side effects (bcna.org.au)
• Hormone blocking therapy - is it worth it? (BCNA webcast)
• Hair loss during breast cancer treatment (BCNA fact sheet)
• Sleepless nights (BCNA fact sheet)
• Exercise and breast cancer (bcna.org.au)
• Lymphoedema (bcna.org.au)

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/.

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
• BCNA Online Network and the
• Your medical team (bcna.org.au)
• Breast cancer treatment (bcna.org.au)
• Getting the most from the web: a guide to breast cancer information on the internet (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.

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/.

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

· BCNA's My Journey Online Tool

· BCNA fact sheet: GP Mental Health Treatment Plan

· BCNA fact sheet: Medicare Chronic disease management plans

· BCNA fact sheet: Financial and practical assistance

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.

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:

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.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Network Australia and how we support Australians with breast cancer at bcna.org.au/.