The Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) randomly assigned premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer to 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen, tamoxifen plus ovarian function suppression (OFS), or exemestane plus OFS. After 8 years, SOFT reported a significant reduction in recurrence and improved overall survival for those who had received tamoxifen plus OFS, compared with those who had received tamoxifen alone. After 12 years, disease-free survival remained significantly improved for those who had received tamoxifen plus OFS, compared with those receiving tamoxifen alone. A list of publications from this trial can be seen here.
An excellent overview, written in 2022, of the role of ovarian suppression in managing hormone-sensitive breast cancer in premenopausal women can be read here.
The FINER clinical trial aims to find out if advanced ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer will remain under control for longer in patients who are given a new drug, ipatasertib, in addition to the standard treatment, fulvestrant. Ipatasertib works by blocking a cancer cell growth pathway (called PI3K-AKT-mTOR), which has been shown to be involved in some ER-positive breast cancers becoming resistant to treatment.
Who is the trial for? Those whose advanced ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer has progressed after ‘first line’ treatment with a CDK 4/6 inhibitor (such as palbociclib (Ibrance)) and an aromatase inhibitor (such as anastrozole, exemestane or letrozole).
Auckland City Hospital and Tauranga Hospital are the New Zealand sites for this trial.
BCAC has been honoured to record the stories of many New Zealanders with advanced breast cancer. We hope that their stories and photos will give you insight into their experiences and their thoughts, and will give you an idea of what life with advanced breast cancer is like.
To view our series Gifts to the Future, He Koha ā Mua Legacy Videos, click here.
To see videos made by members of Metavivors New Zealand, click here. To learn more about the Metavivors NZ peer support group for those with advanced breast cancer, click here.
To see our photo gallery, Metavivors living life to the max, click here.
Join this free online Q&A session on 3 May 2023 at 3- 4.30pm (NZT) where a panel of Australian experts will discuss key findings from the ‘Out with Cancer’ study from the University of Western Sydney. Find out more and register here.
Learning that you have breast cancer can be an isolating experience no matter who you are or how you identify but there can be additional challenges and barriers for those in the LGBTQI+ community.
The ‘Out with Cancer’ study from the University of Western Sydney found that cancer patients in the LGBTQI+ community are 4 times more likely to report distress. 90% of people surveyed in the study said they’d experienced discrimination in their general lives, so when they go into cancer care they are afraid of how they will be treated by health professionals.
The study found that there is also a higher level of anxiety about disclosing their sexuality to their doctor or medical team and they don’t have the same support systems compared to patients in the general cancer population. Patients in the LGBTQI+ community may also have difficulty having their partners or other significant people recognised as family, while navigating the health system as a gender and sexually diverse partnership.
Research indicates that responses to treatment-related physical and emotional changes can vary widely in the LGBTQI+ community and changes may include hair loss, mastectomy, breast reconstruction or flatness, fertility, sexuality and intimacy. Body image and identity may also change due to the impact of cancer treatment.
In BCT’s latest Q&A about breast cancer in the LGBTQI+ community, experts will discuss key findings from the ‘Out with Cancer’ study, the impact of treatment-related body changes, the positive benefits of disclosing to your medical team, inclusivity and diversity in breast cancer research, and what support is available to help patients and their partners.
Liz Pennington was appointed to the Breast Cancer Support Chair position in early April and is looking forward to working as part of the organisation to enhance and stren
April 2023 has been the culmination of a long-held dream by our Team Captain to have enough Paddlers to form a BC team. Thus, Taranaki Pinks came in to being.
Broadcaster and Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) Ambassador Lorna Riley is encouraging New Zealanders to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast next month to support Kiwis affected by breast cancer.
Pink Ribbon Breakfast is BCFNZ’s biggest annual fundraising campaign and people can sign up at www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz. Last year, 67,000 New Zealanders got together with their friends, whānau and workmates at events to raise vital funds for BCFNZ’s work in education, research and patient support.
Mindfulness can help you deal with the anxiety, emotions and pain of recovering from cancer. Fear and uncertainty about the future often follow breast cancer treatment, research has shown that Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training may help reduce emotional distress, anxiety and fatigue after cancer. MBSR is an 8-week evidence-based mindfulness training course. Mindfulness Aotearoa have expert, qualified teachers experienced in working with people who’ve had cancer. MBSR can help you move forward after cancer and enjoy life again.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course
Wednesdays 17th May – 5th July
6.30pm-9pm
Full day of Mindfulness Sat 24th June
Location: Epsom
Cost: $650 – special BCAC member discount please write “BCAC” as where you heard about the course on your registration form (full price $725)
