Every day, two women aged between 20 and 39 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2018, Sofi Leota was one of these women, receiving a diagnosis at age 23. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain talks to Sofi about fertility, losing your hair, connecting with other young women with breast cancer on social media and the challenges of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. RESOURCES: BCNA's My Journey Online Tool BCNA Online Network Breast cancer in youn...
Nov 01, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We all know that staying active is good for you both physically and mentally. But what about when you have breast cancer? When should you exercise? What type of exercise should you be doing and how much of a difference does it really make? In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain talks to expert Associate Professor Prue Cormie and two-time breast cancer survivor Jo Francis about their experiences with exercise and cancer - including tips on how to get started, how exer...
Oct 15, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 11
There are almost 2.7 million carers in Australia, but many people who provide support to someone with breast cancer don't see themselves as a carer - especially if the person with breast cancer is a partner, a child or a close family member. Stuart Diver was the sole survivor of the 1997 Thredbo landslide which killed 18 people, including his first wife Sally. He found love again with his second wife Rosanna, however she was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after they returned from their hon...
Oct 07, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Sexual wellbeing is often a low priority for those receiving treatment for breast cancer but it’s important to be aware of how your body will change and what you can do to help ease symptoms. In this episode of Upfront, Sexual Health Nurse Simone Sheridan talks about how sexual well being is more than sex and genitals, answers the awkward questions many are too embarrassed to ask and explains why it’s not ok to push through pain. RESOURCES: BCNA's My Journey Online Tool BCNA Online Network Sexua...
Sep 19, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 9
The days and weeks after a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. While everyone's individual diagnosis and prognosis is different, new treatments can extend and improve the quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer in a way that means metastatic breast cancer can share some similarities the treatment of chronic illness. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain talks to oncologist Professor Fran Boyle and Rachelle Gebert, a mother of two...
Sep 06, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Breast reconstruction surgery recreates the shape of the breast following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. There are many different kinds of reconstruction and lots to consider. Then of course, there's the emotional impact that goes along with it. In this episode of Upfront About Breast Cancer, host Kellie Curtain speaks to plastic and reconstructive surgeon Richard Zinn and BCNA Director of Programs and breast cancer survivor Kellie Shewring about reconstruction, from implants to tram flap to recove...
Aug 16, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Since we recorded our episode about breast reconstruction , important information about a specific kind of breast implant being linked to a rare form of cancer has come to light. Kellie Curtain speaks with breast surgeon Melanie Walker about the recently announced recall of Allergan's textured breast implants, and what actions (if any) women with concerns about their implants should take. RESOURCES: Textured implant update (bcna.org.au) Read BCNA’s news item TGA recommends ban on textured breast...
Aug 16, 2019•12 min
Telling your child you have cancer is not an easy thing to do. When do you tell them? How much do they need to know? If you have young children is it easier to not tell them at all? On this episode, Kellie Curtain speaks with breast cancer survivor and mum-of-two Anita Ledger and John Freidsam from CanTeen about starting the conversation, dealing with a child in denial and the importance of keeping the lines of communication open no matter your child's age. RESOURCES: BCNA's My Journey Online To...
Aug 01, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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...
Jul 11, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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. RESOU...
Jun 27, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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...
May 31, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 consideratio...
May 31, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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: BCNA's My Journey Online Tool BCNA Online Network and the Choosing Reconstruction group Dealing with a new diagnosis (bcna.org.au) Upfront About Breast Cancer is a producti...
May 31, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1
