July 2006
The Young Ones
July 2006 Newsletter
In this month’s The Young Ones newsletter . . .
In this month’s newsletter we profile Mary Neofitou, who shares a poem she wrote after her diagnosis. This month I attended the launch of a DVD which has been produced by the Women’s Health Program of Monash University, ‘So, I have breast cancer, what now? This DVD, which stars two Young Ones members, Donna Gordan and Kerri Guy and their families, is for women diagnosed with breast cancer. It includes information about treatment options, the impact of breast cancer on relationships, career, finances and the availability of support services, including issues specific to young women. The DVD is available in The Young Ones library, or you can get your own copy through Amcal and Guardian Chemists (Australia-wide) for $9.95. Find out more about the DVD by contacting the Women’s Health Program of Monash University on 03 9903 0827, or visit: http://womenshealth.med.monash.edu.au
Rita Marigliani, The Young Ones Coordinator
Member Profile: Mary Neofitou
Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer four-and-a half years ago when she was 33 and had four young children. Mary, who is now a volunteer at BreaCan, wrote this poem to describe her experience.
Diagnosed on Friday night, my birthday on the Sunday.
Celebrate it or commiserate, would it be my last?
Happy Birthday Mummy is the saddest thing I hear.
Confusion of emotions and fears, how does life go off the tracks
With one word, CANCER?
My soul aged that weekend; breast cancer aged it by 20 years.
I felt it as it happened, living just felt different.
It's not a bad thing, I am not thankful for it, not resentful of it.
It's just how it is.
I lost feelings of being carefree and innocent.
I found feeling of depth and substance.
Life felt more complex, yet it had become simpler.
Life was always precious, now it was a gift.
Mary Neofitou
On Tuesday 12 July 2006 Mary and her husband Spiro, joined Lyn Swinburne (BCNA CEO), Assoc Prof Kelly Ann Phillips (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) and Lindy Burns at radio station 774 ABC Melbourne for a one-hour forum on breast cancer.
The program is now available for podcast and can be found at the 774 ABC Melbourne website: http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1688130.htm
Herceptin Update
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended to the Health Minister that Herceptin be funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The next step before this drug is available for women at the reduced cost is for cabinet to approve its addition to the PBS.
Trials have shown that Herceptin can have a significant survival benefit for women with a certain type of tumour - HER2 positive breast cancer. Around 20% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have this type of tumour. In Australia that means around 2,500 women each year.
A great place to keep up to date with Herceptin news is Breast Cancer Network Australia’s website www.bcna.org.au. Updates are on the home page with links to other relevant and interesting sites for more news and information.
Reminder - Bring your partner/support person to our October meeting
This will be a great opportunity for our partners and support people to meet each other, ask questions and find comfort in shared experiences, in the same way we do, through our meetings. Please RSVP by 20 October by email or The Young Ones phone.
The Young Ones Christmas party- Friday 8 December, 7.30pm
7.30 Friday 8 December at Templebar Precinct, 98 Smith St Collingwood (across the road from Café Coco). Join us for some laughs as we enjoy the drag show and a bite to eat to celebrate another year.
What’s Happening Next Month? (See The Young One website for updates)
Strategies for menopause and beyond
A program for women experiencing menopause and beyond, who are interested in more information about staying healthy.
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When: |
weekly on Thursdays 1.30 - 3.30pm |
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2006 program: |
6 x weekly sessions commencing 10 August 2006 |
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Venue: |
Physiotherapy Department
The Royal Women's Hospital
Basement Level
132 Grattan Street, Carlton |
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Cost: |
the program is free |
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What to wear: |
comfortable loose clothing suitable shoes, ie tracksuit and runners |
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Bookings: |
are essential as numbers are limited |
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Contact: |
Women's Health Information Centre on (03) 9344 2007 |
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Session info: |
Each session will include an introduction to a gentle and fun strength training program for older women. |
Week 1: Bone Health - Bone Wealth
Introduction to the menopause program and services at RWH
Introduction to "Strong Women Stay Young" program
Benefits of exercise
Menopause and Osteoporosis
Week 2: The ABC of HRT & Herbs and Harmony
Hormone Replacement Therapy - is it for me?
Natural therapies
Week 3: Breasts and Other Lumps and Bumps
Breast health
Information about early detection and prevention of other women's cancers
Week 4: Love Lust and Lullabies
Sexuality and Menopause
Week 5: Eat Drink and be Merry
Healthy Eating
Phyto estrogens
Body Image
Week 6: High and Dry
Continence
Pelvic floor awareness
BreaCan is free, confidential information, support and referral service for people with breast cancer, their families and friends. Open 10am-2pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
BreaCan Resource Centre
Ground Floor
Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
POSTAL PO Box 1066, Melbourne Vic 3001
PHONE 1300 781 500 (cost of a local call for country callers)
FAX (03) 9921 0840
breacan@breacan.org.au
www.whv.org.au/breacan
Thursday 10 August, 12.00pm-1.30pm To Rest or Not to Rest? Non-Pharmacological Fatigue Management Strategies
Elizabeth Pearson, Head of Occupational Therapy at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, will talk in a practical way about cancer-related fatigue and what people can do to help themselves feel better.
Thursday 24 August, 12.00pm-1.30pm Making Sense of What the Results Mean: The Role of the Pathologist
The role a pathologist plays in the diagnosis of breast cancer is often not well understood. Dr. Leonie Constable is a pathologist with Melbourne Pathology. She will explain what happens from the time of the initial biopsy to the test results, the level of information you can expect and how a pathologist works with the breast surgeon.
Feel Good Gentle Exercise Program: Wednesdays fortnightly – 10.30am-11.30am
A session of gentle exercise to tone the whole body and help the lymphatic system. Conducted by a qualified instructor, the program helps maintain upper body mobility, flexibility and a smile. Sessions are open to all ages. Women need to register and complete enrolment forms prior to attending so contact BreaCan for details. Dates: August 2, 9 & 23, September 6 & 20, October 4 & 18.
Free Hand, Foot, Shoulder & Neck Massages: Thursdays fortnightly – 10.00am-2.00pm
Massages are once again available at BreaCan. Come and relax. We have a new volunteer, Michele, a remedial masseur who is available to “look after you” and alleviate some of your stress and tension. Free ½ hour appointments between 10.00am-2.00pm. Please ring and make an appointment. Dates: September 7h & 21, October 5 & 19.
Newsletter Contributions
We welcome all contributions to and feedback on, the newsletter. If you’ve recently read a book, seen a website, lecture or production that you think other young women who have experienced breast cancer would be interested in, or would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Send all your stories, reviews contributions and feedback to ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Our next meeting
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 31 August at 7pm Cafe Coco, 129 Smith St Collingwood. We’d love you to join us for an opportunity to meet and share experiences with other young women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Contact details Rita Marigliani
The Young Ones Coordinator:
041 123 5964
Email: ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Website: www.theyoungones.asn.au
