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The Young Ones
June 2006 Newsletter
In this month’s The Young Ones newsletter . . .
In this month’s newsletter we have a review of the latest addition to The Young One’s library, and Melinda’s response to an Age article about Kylie, as well as they usual updates. Stay warm and safe.
Rita Marigliani, The Young Ones Coordinator
Review - Empowering Young Women with Early Breast Cancer – DVD
This DVD was put together by Northern Rivers Division of General Practice as practical assistance and information for newly diagnosed young women. The DVD runs for around 30 minutes, and whilst I found that some segments were not long enough, others were just right and filled with good information. The participants are both medical professionals and survivors (including partners and children). A lot of topics were covered in this short time. Some of these were:
Psychosocial issues:
How can a support group help me?
Strategies to help cope
Advice to help partners cope
How do we tell the children about my breast cancer?
What to watch out for in children’s behaviour
How can a breast care nurse help me?
I found in this section that Dr Jane Turner, Psychiatrist, gave very good advice on talking about your breast cancer and not trying to be brave all the time. She also gave some very good advice on what to watch out for with children’s behaviour (in varying age groups), and it isn’t always bad behaviour that is the worry.
Chapter 2 dealt with sexuality, body image and fertility. Covered in this section is: physical intimacy, how breast cancer may affect my sexuality and libido, and body image. Advice for same sex couples and how to let my partner know what I need seemed to have very limited information and detail. Good advice and information was given in regards to options for planning a family by a medical oncologist. She talked about harvesting eggs/freezing embryos, freezing a section of the ovary and ovary suppression.
Chapter 3 was about surgery. Good information was given by a surgeon in regards to when mastectomy is recommended over breast conserving surgery, and the reasons for the decision. Breast reconstruction was also discussed, but only very briefly.
The next chapter dealt with getting on with life. A breast care nurse, who is also a survivor, spoke about lifestyle changes. She had a great attitude – if you enjoy a glass of wine each day, then don’t give it up! Life is also about quality, and making sure that you enjoy it.
The resources listing at the end were good as it also included a list of resources for partners and a list for children. There were also some good websites listed, together with organisations in Australia to contact. I would recommend this DVD to newly diagnosed young women as it is not too intense, nor too long to watch.
Review by Kerri Guy
If you’d like to borrow Empowering Young Women with Early Breast Cancer, or any of our other resources, just ask.
Bring your partner/support person to our October meeting
This year The Young Ones is celebrating breast cancer awareness month by inviting our members to bring along their partner/support person to our meeting. Often partners and those around us are the forgotten ones in the breast cancer journey. We think it’s important to acknowledge that they too are going through a tough time, often with little or no support. This is 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. Let me know if you’re bringing someone along by email or phone.
The Young Ones Christmas party- Friday December 8, 7.30pm
Make sure you keep Friday December 8 free for The Young Ones Christmas party. This year we’re out to have some fun at Templebar Precinct, 98 Smith St Collingwood (across the road from Café Coco). It’s a Spag and Drag night - a cheap and cheerful dinner with plenty of time for us to catch up on our news before the Drag Show starts at 8.30. No doubt we’ll be able to compare prothesis and make up tips!
Every breast cancer story is inspirational
One of our members, Melinda McCormack, found a small article about Kylie receiving an award for her 'inspirational battle against breast cancer.' in the Age on 8 June. She was moved enough to write this letter which was published in the Saturday Age, June 11. She expresses the frustration that many of us feel when the media report on Kylie.
I’ve just read that Kylie Minogue was awarded by Glamour magazine their Woman of the Year award for her, ‘inspirational battle against breast cancer.’
Hundreds of women in Australia, including younger women such as myself, are diagnosed with this disease every year. You could also refer to ‘inspirational battles’ as the trauma of diagnosis, surgery and follow up treatment that we all go through. It doesn’t sound as lofty but it’s a lot more realistic. I never considered myself particularly inspirational. I, like Kylie, was doing what I had to do to get better.
There are many women who battle breast cancer and have to cope with not only the diagnosis but the stress involved with paying medical bills, coping with treatment, family and work, or even have to struggle alone and I feel that their stories, including my own, are as valid and inspirational as Kylie's.
Every woman's story is unique and it would be nice if the media and Kylie would acknowledge, when accepting these awards, the inspirational stories that we all have and share as women fighting this disease.
Melinda McCormack
Aussie Breast Cancer Forum - On line breast cancer discussion forum
An on line breast cancer discussion forum, originally created last year for a small group of women with advanced breast cancer who attended a HereAndNow program run by Breacan in Melbourne, are now welcoming members from all over Australia – whatever their diagnosis. This could be a great way to connect with other women if you don’t feel up to attending meetings. Visit it at: www.bcaus.org.au
New on The Young Ones website
Take part in an on line research which is seeking to understanding people’s knowledge, perceptions and access of electronic information on breast health and screening, the research hopes to facilitate development of educational programs which addresses information needs and support in order to access reliable information from electronic sources. The study is being conducted by the School of Health Information Management at the University of Sydney. Participation is entirely voluntary. Find it on the Research you might be interested in page or go directly to http://www3.fhs.usyd.edu.au/him/EIBS/minisite/index.
What’s Happening Next Month? (See The Young One website for updates)
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.breacan.org.au
Wednesday 5th & 19th July, 10.30-11.30am “Feel Good” Gentle Exercise Program for Women with Breast Cancer
Thursday 6th July, 12.00-1.30pm Now What - What happens after the treatment is over?
Carrie Lethborg (MSW), Dept. of Social Work and Dept. Oncology; St. Vincent's Hospital will talk about the many issues common to women who have completed treatment for early breast cancer. Drawing on her research and clinical experience she will discuss strategies to assist recovery, goal setting and learning to live with uncertainty.
Wednesday 19th July, 12.00-1.30pm 12.00-1.30pm "Understanding a Naturopath's Approach"
"Natural" does not automatically make something safe, nor does it imply that anyone can be an expert. Naturopathy is a widely used complementary approach to dealing with symptoms associated with menopause, as well as fatigue, depression, anxiety and stress. Sandra Villella (Naturopath, Herbalist and Acupuncturist) will talk about these issues and discuss the role of phyto-oestrogens in a very down to earth session.
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 27 July at 7pm Cafe Coco, 129 Smith St Collingwood.
Contact details Rita Marigliani
The Young Ones Coordinator:
041 123 5964
Email: ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Website: www.theyoungones.asn.au
