Latest News
National cancer support service Look Good Feel Better continues to evolve its free programme to offer a diverse range of wellbeing sessions including both in-community and online classes, expert Q&As and podcasts. Navigating cancer can be as daunting emotionally and mentally as it is to physically deal with prognosis and treatment, so the programme is aimed at boosting confidence and provides an opportunity to connect with others who truly understand what you are going through.
We asked Metavivor Tania Honey to describe this online peer support group for people with advanced breast cancer. Here’s her take:
1. We all have a Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis and I believe live or have lived in NZ at some point
2. It's a private page. Not any Tom, Dick or Mary can join. It gives you an extra feeling of safety that only other Metavivors are on this site.
Breast Cancer Support Aotearoa (BCSA) begins the year with the continuation of its ‘Cuppa and a Chat’ online support groups. Held on Zoom, the inaugural groups were so successful last year that Chair Liz Pennington is keen to continue and encourages women to join these informal sessions.
‘We welcome anyone with a lived experience of breast cancer (any age and stage of their journey) to participate in this peer-led online support group,’ says Liz. ‘The group provides a welcoming space to connect with others who share similar experiences, a place to give and receive support.’
Setting New Year’s resolutions for: growing your fitness?, making new friends?, doing something new, different and FUN?
Come along to one of our trainings and see if dragon boating is for you! We will supply you with a life-jacket and paddle, all you need is clothing suitable to exercise in on the water and footwear you don’t mind getting wet.
What you get out of joining the team:
[toc]
We acknowledge discussing sex and intimacy can be tapu/sacred and a sensitive topic for some cultural groups. We are open to your feedback on ways that we can improve our approach and information on this topic.
Our thoughts and tips are intended to apply to everyone, whether you’re heterosexual, gay or anywhere on the LGBTQI+ spectrum, whatever your age and ethnicity and whether your cancer is early or advanced.
Much of our advice applies whatever gender you are, but a lot of information relates to female bodies, given that more than 99% of breast cancer occurs in women, with around 25 men and 3,500 women diagnosed each year in Aotearoa New Zealand. There’s a section specifically on male breast cancer further on in this article.
The Pinkies Are Back depicts a group of extraordinary women conquering and surviving breast cancer, setting up a dragon boat team, and working together to win a gold medal in a competition held in Auckland. It’s an ode to women on the water. There are breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams around the world, as it has become an established popular rehabilitation system - "Exercise is Medicine". They put all efforts into paddling, just as they fight for the silver lining of their life. Released in New Zealand cinemas on March 18, 2021, and globally distributed in 2022, the film continues to inspire people around the world and not only those who have been affected by breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Research Trust’s popular Pink Walk and Run fundraiser is back again this October, along with two other local community-organised events in Huntly and Putaruru.
Cindy Jacobs, spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer Research Trust and organiser of the Hamilton event, says that having three events throughout the Waikato makes it easier for more people to get involved:
“At least one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every day in the Waikato. Breast cancer is something that impacts our entire community. Having the events throughout the Waikato is a great way to get more of the community involved, raise awareness, and make a difference to those affected by breast cancer.”
A new dragon boat season is upon us, and this is a great sport for those recovering from Breast Cancer treatment. With the borders opening up worldwide, the opportunity to go global again is super exciting as well as lots of great regattas here in Aotearoa.
We train Tuesday & Thursday nights at Westhaven, 6-7pm on the water, and add a third training day, Sunday, in the new year. There are always opportunities for those wishing to paddle or learn how to steer the boat to come along and join in.
If you're keen to give it a go - get in touch at info@pinkdragons.org.nz.
