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Hereditary breast cancer is responsible for up to 10 per cent of breast cancers and genetic testing is available for women and men who think they may carry the gene mutation responsible for this type of breast cancer.
Here, Sianan Keating of New Zealand’s Genetic Health Service answers questions about hereditary breast cancer and genetic testing for the disease.
“Informative”, “helpful” and “useful" – these are the words newly diagnosed women use to describe the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition’s Step by Step support pack, according to a recent analysis of feedback.
Since 2010, BCAC has distributed more than 3000 Step by Step support packs to New Zealanders diagnosed with breast cancer.
The support packs include an information booklet on breast cancer, a diary to record details of a breast cancer treatment programme and a journal for women to record their thoughts and feelings.
More than 150 people have responded to a request for feedback and all those who provided comments had positive things to say.
Research into sub-types of breast cancer, imaging and new targeted therapies are becoming increasingly important, attendees at the Australia New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG) Annual Scientific Meeting were told.
BCAC committee member Moana Papa attended the meeting in Tasmainia recently, as one of three breast cancer consumers through the IMPACT programme (Improving Participation and Advocacy for Clinical Trials).
Moana says she felt privileged to attend the conference, which updates medical practitioners on the latest in breast cancer research.
BCAC this week celebrates the passion and commitment of committee member Jenny Williams who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
Jenny died last week, four years after being diagnosed with IBC, and after the cancer had spread to her liver.
BCAC's May fundraiser, Show your heart for women living with breast cancer, has raised more than $60,000 to help New Zealanders battling the disease.
Conducted with the support of Arnott’s Tim Tam, the month-long campaign saw 20 cents donated to BCAC for every pack of Tim Tams sold during May from Countdown, Super Value or Fresh Choice supermarkets.
BCAC deputy chair, Dr Chris Walsh, says “This is a fantastic result and we are extremely grateful to our longtime supporter Arnott’s. Without their commitment and backing, BCAC simply could not do what it does for New Zealanders with breast cancer. Also, this year we must acknowledge the great support of Progressive Enterprises Ltd, the owners of the supermarkets involved.
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition is backing an international move to see psychological and social care recognised as an integral part of cancer treatment.
BCAC has endorsed a statement on standards and clinical guidelines in cancer care issued by the International Pscyho-Oncology Society (IPOS).
The IPOS International Standard of Quality Cancer Care states that:
• quality cancer care must integrate the psychosocial domain into routine care
• distress should be measured as the sixth vital sign after temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and pain.
A new study shows that younger women aged 40 to 49 who undergo screening mammograms are diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier stage and with smaller tumours.
The research, carried out by University Hospitals in Cleveland, USA, also found that screening mammograms were more likely to identify lesions on the breast that are not cancerous, but are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
The study was recently published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and supports BCAC’s view that women should start getting regular mammograms from the age of 40.
Latest figures show that 71 per cent of New Zealand women are taking advantage of the free breast screening programme available to those aged 45 to 69 through BreastScreen Aotearoa.
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) is particularly pleased to see that screening rates for Māori and Pasifika women appear to be on the rise.
Latest figures from BreastScreen Aotearoa show that in the two years to March 31, 2012:
The inaugural meeting of the Cancer Consumer Representative Advisory Group was held on 29th March 2012. This group has been set up to provide advice on the support, recruitment, development and training for cancer consumer representatives across the cancer spectrum. BCAC committee members Dr Chris Walsh and Rowena Mortimer are members of the group whose membership is made up of representatives of the regional cancer networks, NGO's, cancer groups and Māori.
At their first meeting the group reviewed the terms of reference and a work plan to promote CCR activity. Dr Chris Walsh, the group’s newly elected chair, says "the group is united in its desire to improve the representation of cancer consumers across the cancer spectrum and make a positive impact on cancer services."
A new study shows that even moderate weight loss could reduce the risk of breast cancer by lowering the levels of oestrogen in the body.
The new research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, and conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in the USA is the first randomised, controlled clinical trial to test the effects of weight loss on sex hormones in overweight and obese post-menopausal women.
Medical researchers have long noted a link between obesity and increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. A relationship between body fat and oestrogen production is thought to contribute to this risk.
