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BCAC is pleased a new linear accelerator is in the wings for the Southern DHB and believes will make a difference for cancer patients.
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is sub-type of breast cancer that lacks the receptors for hormones or HER2 protein that are found in hormone receptor positive breast cancer and HER2 positive breast cancer, respectively. About ten percent of New Zealand women diagnosed with breast cancer will be triple negative. TNBC is more common in younger women (under the age of 44) [1] and tends to be more aggressive than other sub-types. Between 15 and 25% of those diagnosed with TNBC carry BRCA gene mutations [2].
TNBC is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Because it lacks hormone or HER2 receptors, it will not respond to hormonal (endocrine) therapy or anti-HER2 therapy.
Women in the Rodney region, north of Auckland, will now have easier access to breast screening and more choice, thanks to a new digital mobile breast screening unit now operating in the area.
BreastScreen Waitemata Northland, screens about 35,500 women a year and the new mobile unit will operate from up to six sites throughout Rodney, replacing fixed breast screening sites in Orewa and Warkworth.
BCAC welcomes the initiative because fewer women will have to travel for a mammogram. They can instead visit the mobile screening unit when it comes to their area.
BCAC welcomes new reports which show that nearly 41,500 more women aged 50 to 69 have taken part in the Government’s free breast cancer screening programme in the 24 months to December 2010 than in the previous period.
The percentage of Maori and Pasifika women having breast screening has had the greatest increase, with a further 5486 Maori women and 2898 Pasifika women taking part in the programme over the 24 month period to December 2010.
Associate Minister of Health, Hon Tariana Turia, says,“This increase is great news for women’s health. Not only are these women giving themselves the best chance for breast cancer to be found and treated early, but this is a sign women are prioritising their health.
Writing about our lives in a creative way offers a valuable means of expression.
The words written by someone who has ‘been there too’ can comfort and reassure others who are going through the same experience.
Inspired by an Australian collection of stories written by women with secondary breast cancer (Armed with Chocolate Frogs, Kate Carey Productions) over thirty Sweet Louise members have signed up to contribute their creative short stories and poems to a special Sweet Louise book.
BCAC supported the visit of the ASB Visiting Professor Annette Stanton in March 2011 when she presented a public lecture entitled "Survivorship in Breast Cancer What helps and hinders women?".
Annette Stanton is Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, senior research scientist at the UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, and a member of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Following her trip to the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in December 2010, BCAC committee member Rowena Mortimer is convinced of the value of the associated advocacy programme.
Rowena was particularly struck by just how much research is currently underway to investigate many aspects of breast cancer and she gained a real appreciation for just how much she didn’t know! For this reason she believes the advocacy programme offered at the Symposium for attendees from around the world and run by the Alamo Breast Cancer foundation, is an invaluable way of upskilling.
This year the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG) combined its 2010 Annual Scientific meeting with COSA (Clinical Oncological Society of Australia) in early November in Melbourne, Australia.
Libby Burgess, BCAC chair, attended this conference as a member of IMPACT, the programme for Improving Participation and Advocacy for Clinical Trials associated with ANZ BCTG’s Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP).
As always this meeting provided an excellent opportunity to network and Libby met up with many of the New Zealand and Australian oncologists, breast surgeons, physicians and nurses with whom BCAC communicates on a regular basis.
BCAC Deputy Chair Chris Walsh and committee member Sue Ellis attended a day forum in Wellington in December organised by the Cancer Society and Central Cancer Network.
Titled ‘Survivorship – from discharge through follow up and beyond’ it attracted about 90 health professionals and survivors from around New Zealand.
Chris made the following observations:
