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Something for the men: Men's Group, at dove house
A breast cancer diagnosis has a far-reaching impact, affecting lives on many levels: practical, emotional, physical and spiritual. Family and friends offer much-needed support but often it is the husband or partner who must pull all the threads together, care for wife or partner and keep children, family, profession and life all moving forward. This is a group for partners, and grown up male family members.
The group meets at dove house http://ebhospice.org.nz/ at 6pm. Refreshments provided.
Dates for 2013:Wednesdays 29/5, 31/7, 25/9.
Please confirm attendance by phoning 09 575 4555 or 0800 11 22 77.
The recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) highlighted many new advances in breast cancer research, but New Zealanders want to know when we'll benefit from these new approaches to breast cancer treatment.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess attended SABCS and was invited to participate as a patient representative on an expert panel including world-leading oncologists and breast surgeons.
She gives us her assesssment of the major research advances announced at SABCS and her view on when we'll see these treatments in New Zealand.
Research Highlights:
There are numerous clinical trials taking place around New Zealand to gather evidence about new medicines or treatment methods that may help to improve breast cancer care in future.
Get the latest news from the Waikato Breast Cancer Trust, including:
- a new year's honour for Associate Professor Dr Ian Campbell of the WBCT
- a study examining ethnic inequalities in breast cancer in New Zealand
- a clinical trial looking at a new oral chemotherapy drug.
Click here to read the WBCT's February 2013 newsletter February 2013 newsletter.
Plus Mother's Day is just around the corner - check out the Waikato Breast Cancer Trust Mother's Day offers!
Following treatment for breast cancer, many women want to know what they can do to ensure the cancer does not return. There’s one simple thing you can do to help reduce your risk – exercise!
Many studies have shown that an active lifestyle can help to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, but studies now also show that regular exercise can help to prevent breast cancer returning.
A Women’s Health Initiative longtitudinal study, examining more than 4,600 postmenopausal women, found that those who reported exercising for more than three hours a week were 40 per cent less likely to die from breast cancer.
A recent study has found a further link between low vitamin D levels and premenopausal breast cancer.
The study, by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, examined 1,200 healthy women and found that those whose serum vitamin D levels were low during the three-month period just before diagnosis had approximately three times the risk of breast cancer as women in the highest vitamin D group.
Several previous studies have shown that low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
Nearly a quarter of breast cancer surgery patients experience significant and persistent pain up to six months after surgery and new research shows that women with pre-operative breast pain have the highest risk of extended post-surgical pain.
The study, published in the Journal of Pain and conducted by researchers at the University of California San Francisco, followed 400 breast cancer patients every month for six months.
It examined the incidence of Neuropathic pain (NP) which is defined as pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease that affects the body’s sensory system. It can be a debilitating condition and can manifest as burning, pins and needles, coldness, numbness or electric shocks.
Pinc & STEEL is more than an exercise regime - it is a personalised therapeutic programme that is offered to women recovering from cancer surgery and related treatment. All women with cancer are eligible to participate in the programme, from the newly diagnosed to women 25+ years after their initial cancer diagnosis. The Pinc & STEEL programme was previously known as Pink Pilates. For each woman, the programme consists of a course of 10 individually designed and delivered treatment sessions with a qualified physiotherapist. It is suitable after any type of cancer surgery or treatment and accommodates all fitness levels.
Lymphoedema can be a debilitating side effect of breast cancer surgery if not managed carefully, but research is moving apace to help women with the disorder control it better.
Auckland physiotherapist and lymphatic therapist, Deborah Hurt, describes lymphoedema as the swelling of the arm, hand, or chest wall caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in those tissues. She recently attended the Australasian Lymphology Association’s biennial conference in Cairns and offers this summary of papers related to breast cancer presented at the conference.
BCAC is thrilled that one of New Zealand’s foremost breast cancer researchers has been acknowledged in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.
Waikato-based surgeon, Associate Professor Dr Ian Campbell, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to breast cancer treatment and research.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, says Dr Campbell is renowned for his dedication to ensuring the very best outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Dr Campbell is a dedicated, intelligent and high-achieving surgeon, researcher and breast cancer clinician. He is much loved and respected by patients and colleagues alike.
