Introduction to medicine development and clinical trials

Patient advocates across the Asia Pacific region will hear from peers and experts about medicines development and clinical trials. We’ll discuss patient understanding of and participation in trials in a Q & A session. This webinar aims to educate, build capacity and share best practice.

We’d love to see you online at this webinar. Together we’ll inspire change!

What: Introduction to Medicine Development and Research

When: Tuesday, March 29, 4pm – 5.15pm NZ time

Where: Wherever you’d like, it’s virtual!

Please RVSP to prabhatkumar.sinha@pfizer.com or email us at bcac@breastcancer.org.nz for the link

Astefania Trial (recruiting)

This clinical trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant atezolizumab (Tecentriq) or placebo and trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) for HER2-positive breast cancer at high risk of recurrence following preoperative therapy.  New Zealand sites for this trial are: Auckland City Hospital and Tauranga Hospital.

The Astefania trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant atezolizumab or placebo and trastuzumab emtansine for HER2-positive primary breast cancer who have received preoperative chemotherapy and HER2-directed therapy, including trastuzumab followed by surgery, with a finding of residual invasive disease in the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes.

Who is the trial for? Women or men with confirmed HER2-positive invasive breast cancer who have completed preoperative treatment and have residual disease.  Of note, there must be an interval of no more than 12 weeks between the date of primary surgery and the date of randomization.  They should have no serious medical conditions and a life expectancy of greater than six months.  Auckland City Hospital and Tauranga Hospital are the New Zealand sites for this trial.

View this link for full trial information.

Please consult with your doctor or medical team if you are interested in participating in this trial.

15 May 2023

 

Mindfulness training course

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 eight-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 treatment and enjoy life again.

Next course starts: Tuesday 17th May - Tuesday 5th July, 6.30pm-9pm (weekly Tuesday evenings)

Plus, full day of mindfulness Saturday 18th June.

Location: Epsom

Special discount of $100 off the full price if you mention BCAC when registering.

Visit https://mindfulnessaotearoa.com/mbsr/ to find out more.

Or contact Jan: jan@mindfulnessaotearoa.com - 021 22 77 069

How well is NZ tackling breast cancer?

 

An expert panel will provide a snapshot of how well NZ is doing in tackling breast cancer. They will discuss the findings of a comprehensive report on diagnoses, treatments and outcomes for 30,000 New Zealanders diagnosed between 2003 and 2019. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ recently released the report 30,000 voices: Informing a better future for breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand from data stored in Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae, the BCF National Register. To join the panel for an hour from 7pm on Wednesday March 9th register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S8fV6IRzTAag-wBxY-1-0w 

COVID vaccination and breast cancer

It’s hard enough dealing with the challenges of breast cancer, let alone trying to navigate a safe path through a pandemic. We’re aware that many women being treated for breast cancer have a lot of questions about Covid vaccination.

To answer those questions, BCAC got together with Sweet Louise and Metavivors NZ to organise an online vax chat session with two expert oncologists, Richard Isaacs (Palmerston North) and Sarah Barton (Wellington) as well as Auckland anaesthetist and vaccine expert Morgan Edwards.

We invited members of Sweet Louise and Metavivors NZ to put their questions to our expert panel. The answers provided apply equally to women with advanced and early breast cancer, so check out the online video discussion, facilitated by BCAC Chair Libby Burgess, and read the full set of questions and answers here.

Webinar: Covid-19 Vaccination and Advanced Breast Cancer - YouTube

 

2 December 2021

 

Moe mai ra Wiki Mulholland, wahine toa arohaina. Sleep peacefully Wiki Mulholland, much loved warrior woman

Wiki Mulholland should be anticipating her forty-fourth birthday tomorrow.  A day that was always a family celebration with her treasured and tight knit whānau, she might have pulled her husband, Dr Malcolm Mulholland, away from his tireless work as Chair of Patient Voice Aotearoa to reflect on the year that was, have friends and whānau around as planned or perhaps sing along to one of her favourite songs, Gypsy.

Subscribe to %1