October 2006
The Young Ones
October 2006 Newsletter
In this month’s The Young Ones newsletter . . .
It’s been a busy month. Taking advantage of October being breast cancer awareness month, there’s been the launch of the Young Action on Breast Cancer’s (YABC) Care Package, the launch of Young Women Talking, a DVD and booklet for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, and the launch of a great new book for children whose mothers are diagnosed breast cancer. As well, there were many awareness and fundraising events held throughout the month, including BCNA's Mini-Fields of Women and Pink Ribbon breakfasts, lunches and morning teas.
The Young Ones marked breast cancer awareness month with a special meeting. We invited members to bring their partners and support people along to join us. It was a great night, giving our friends and partners an opportunity to meet each other and share their own experiences. It was great for us too, to meet these wonderful people who have supported us through our journey. See happy snaps from the night on our photo gallery page.
Rita Marigliani, The Young Ones Coordinator
Care Package for young women diagnosed with breast cancer
YABC were delighted to have Mrs Terry Bracks, the wife of Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, join us in launching the pilot program of the Care Package at Western Hospital on 18 October.
The package, which provides practical help as well as comfort to newly diagnosed young women, contains pampering products and vouchers, and practical items such as lawn-mowing and baby-sitting vouchers. As part of the pilot the Care Package will be available to women under 40, who are diagnosed with breast cancer and are being treated at Western Health, from 18 October 2006. YABC hope to extend the program across Melbourne by 2008, and nationally by 2010. See some of the media articles from the launch on the website at: http://www.theyoungones.asn.au/articles_of_interest
YABC is a group of young breast cancer survivors committed to advocating about the specific needs and issues which face younger women affected by breast cancer. Young women affected by breast cancer are invited to join YABC, for more information see contact details below. Donations of items and sponsorship for our Care Package and Forum Scholarships are greatly appreciated.
Contact: Email ya-bc@hotmail.com
Phone 0411 235 964
Visit http://www.theyoungones.asn.au/young_action_on_breast_cancer
Young Women Talking
Launched on 26 October at BreaCan was a new DVD and booklet for young women affected by breast cancer. It shows four young women, all Young Ones members, sharing their stories and talking about the issues which affect them as young women who’ve experienced breast cancer. This DVD and booklet, developed by BreaCan with input from the women, will help fill the gap in resources that specifically address issues affecting young women. This resource is available to be borrowed from The Young One’s library or order you own copy, free of charge, through BreaCan. To order contact BreaCan, breast cancer information and support on 1300 781 500 or email breacan@breacan.org.au
A full review of the DVD and booklet will appear in the next issue of this newsletter.
Review -My Mum has Breast Cancer, a family’s cancer journey written by Lisa & Harrison Sewards, and illustrated by Helen Grizinich & Harrison Sewards
On Saturday 21 October I attended the launch of the book My Mum has Breast Cancer, a family’s cancer journey. My association with this book went back some months when I was asked as a Consumer Representative for BCNA to review the draft version of this book. I did this in conjunction with my 8-year-old son as the book has been written for children aged 4–10 years of age, to assist with their understanding of breast cancer. After taking note of what my son did and did not understand in the book, I forwarded this feedback to Lisa Seward, the author.
It was with great anticipation that I received the published version of the book and sat down to read it with my son. We found the finished product to be of excellent quality, the pictures are bright and colourful, and the language is simple for children to understand. The book also contains great explanations of what breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (with an excellent illustration that made us giggle) are and it also explains the different medical professionals’ titles and what they do. The book has a positive tone throughout, yet does not shield from the tough times.
It is great to finally see on the market an Australian book that assists with explaining breast cancer to young children. The writing is casual and relaxed, and the story also covers what Lisa’s children were also doing at the time, soccer, birthdays, etc (her son Harrison assisted with the writing and illustrations). This helps children relate to the children in the story.
The book is available from Bookstreet – 482 Hampton Street, Hampton, Ph: 9598 5111, or email the author on: lisasewards@yahoo.com.au Net proceeds from this book will be donated to BCNA and The Cancer Council Victoria.
To use a quote from the back cover, “Telling your young child that you have breast cancer is one of the hardest parts of the journey. This book helps to explain it all in a relaxed way that will also assist in opening the lines of communication between you and your child. I wish that I had this book when I was diagnosed 4 years ago.”
Kerri Guy
Review of Four Corners Documentary, The Price of Life
2006 UK Granada Production
The Price of Life follows a 24-year-old woman, Becky Measures, as she goes through the process of undergoing genetic testing and deciding to have bilateral preventative mastectomies. It shows the steps Becky takes, from meeting with a Genetic Counsellor, to having the test and a psychological assessment, and then from meeting with a surgeon to the surgery itself and discussion about reconstructive options. The documentary examines the physical and emotional impact of having breasts removed as a preventative measure. It also explores the impact on Becky’s partner and mother and they share their thoughts and feelings. It highlights the array of mixed emotions Becky experiences as she deals with finding out she does carry the BRCA1 gene, deciding to have preventative surgery, feeling scared and anxious prior to surgery, looking ahead after the surgery and feeling empowered that she has made the right choice for her. Overall Becky presents as a bubbly, articulate, well informed, and positive person, who in her own words is a realist and “feels honoured that she was given a choice”. The documentary is balanced and covers the issues well. It would be a useful resource for young women with a strong family history of breast cancer who are grappling with the same decisions. It would also be helpful to partners, family and friends.
Joanne Smith
We have a video copy of this Four Corners Documentary in The Young Ones library for anyone who would like to borrow it
The Young Ones Christmas party - Friday December 8, 7.30pm
The date for our Christmas party is getting closer, so please let me know if you’re coming as I’ll need numbers to confirm our booking. Details are:
Friday 8 December
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 Show starts at 8.30.
RSVP 30 November
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
Thursday 9 November, 12.30-2.00pm – Sentinel Node Biopsy and More …
Professor Bruce Mann is the newly appointed Director of the combined Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital Breast Service. He has been active in breast cancer clinical trials since he returned to Melbourne in 1998. Bruce will talk about sentinel node biopsy and future trends in breast cancer surgery.
Monday 20 November, 12.00-1.30pm – Drumming Your Own Beat
Simon Fraser is the owner of VoyeuRythmic – Centre for West African Music and Culture based in St Kilda. He is a professional percussionist who focuses on teaching African drumming, running weekly classes, workshops and drumming retreats. This will be a fun and very interactive session giving participants a chance to experience the stress relief and meditative benefits that African drumming can offer. (Drums provided – no previous experience necessary!)
Thursday 7 December, 11.00am – End of Year Celebration Morning Tea
BreaCan invites you to help us celebrate the festive season with friends, fun and some yummy food! We can look back on the wonderful achievements of 2006 and enjoy catching up with old friends and meeting new people from BreaCan. This is always a popular event so to help us cater for all please RSVP by Monday 4 December.
Feel Good Gentle Exercise Program: Wednesdays fortnightly – 10.30-11.30am
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: November 1, 8 & 22, December 6.
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:
Thursday 30 November. This will be the last meeting at Café Coco for 2006 (December Christmas party at Templebar Precinct)
Contact details Rita Marigliani
The Young Ones Coordinator:
041 123 5964
Email: ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Website: www.theyoungones.asn.au
