Latest News
2012 is an exciting year for BreaCan as we develop our strategic plan to take us forward for the next three years. At BreaCan, we pride ourselves on providing services that are responsive to the needs and issues that women express. Your voices are so important in informing our service. We welcome your feedback about the service, what works well, what could be improved and what the future directions might look like.
If you would like to have input into this process or other programs, activities and events, please let us know by sending us an email to breacan@breacan.org.au or calling 1300 781 500. Leave us your name and contact details and a team member will make contact with you.
Each year the BreaCan Resource Centre closes over the festive season. The Centre will close its doors from 2pm Wednesday 21 December 2011 and re-opens on Monday 16 January 2012. The close down gives our peer support volunteers a break from their important work at the Resource Centre, an opportunity for them to re-charge.
BreaCan does provide phone support from Tuesday 3 January 2012, but would encourage women, family or friends who are finding it difficult over the christmas/new year period to access the Cancer Councils Helpline on 13 11 20, which operates over the entire period.
Women’s Health Victoria is very pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Amos to the position of BreaCan Manager.
Alison will be replacing Di Missen, who has developed BreaCan from it’s inception. Di’s work and contribution to the service have been invaluable in leading her team to develop a very successful information and support service for women with breast and gynaecological cancer.
Alison brings extensive knowledge and experience in research, health and community services (as well as in the Cancer sector) and has worked in public health policy, quality improvement, program evaluation, management and consultancy roles. Alison is an excellent candidate to lead the strategic development of BreaCan into the future and we look forward to working with her.
Alison will commence on the 8th of August 2011.
BreaCan in partnership with Western Health are offering women from diverse backgrounds, living in the Western suburbs and affected by breast or a gynaecological cancer an opportunity to be involved in a gentle exercise session. The session is one of the many idenitified activities to be piloted, that form part of the Cancer Australia funded project, which looks at increasing the access of CALD women to suppoort and information services.
The introduction to gentle exercise is an opportunity for women to ‘taste’ what would be involved in a more detailed and ongoing program that is set to be offered later in the year. It is hoped that many of the women who attend one of the two introductory sessions will be motivated to become involved in the detailed – Steps for Fun and Fitness program. To find out more about the introductory sessions click here.
BreaCan has received a grant of $40,000 from the Department of Health to contribute to the resourcing of conducting the Bridge of Support pilot program in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). This innovative program, is providing support to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Each week, BreaCan volunteers are available to talk to women undergoing chemotherapy, surgery or attending the outpatient clinic. The trained volunteers have each experienced cancer and by drawing on these experiences, they can make a remarkable difference to the health and wellbeing of women with a breast cancer.
A mid term review of the program is underway and BreaCan is currently receiving evaluation questionnaires back from women who have accessed the service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
In the spirit of National Volunteer Week 2011 – “Inspiring the Volunteer in You” – Victorian Minister for Mental Health, Women’s Affairs and Community Services, The Hon. Mary Wooldridge honoured the invaluable contribution of the volunteers of BreaCan, a service for women with breast and gynaecological cancers.
Commenting on the contribution of volunteers at BreaCan during National Volunteer Week the Minister said:”Volunteers contribute millions of hours across the state every year, giving to so many people and so many communities. I congratulate BreaCan for creating an environment where volunteers can thrive. Their contribution is so substantial and so greatly appreciated”.
A peer-support volunteer at BreaCan for eight years, Mary Neofitou spoke on behalf of approximately thirty other volunteers who work alongside BreaCan Information and Support Officers who offer help and comfort during a time that can be distressing and isolating for many people.
“For the volunteers it seems natural to want to share our experiences and knowledge to help others as they embark on a journey we too have travelled. Our work at BreaCan can be challenging and confronting, however, it is all made worthwhile when you hear a woman after having spoken to a volunteer say, ‘I never thought I would laugh again,” Mary said.
BreaCan provides information sessions that are both medical and wellness focused, looking at the many areas of a woman’s life that can be affected by a cancer diagnosis. Other services include a fortnightly exercise program and reflexology treatments. BreaCan also features a walk-in resource centre and information library. Information is available by phone (for the cost of a local call) and on BreaCan’s website for people who are unable to visit the centre.
BreaCan services are available to all women who have been diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancers with no referral necessary.
Acknowledging BreaCan’s unique model of supportive care, Rita Butera, Executive Director, Women’s Health Victoria said:“BreaCan offers valuable support and information in a welcoming and safe environment. Many women have told us that this service has been extremely complementary to their medical treatment and at times crucial to their recovery. It is important that services in the cancer sector work together and spread the word about what is on offer so that women can have access to the best available care and support at times when they need it the most”, Rita Butera added.
BreaCan in collaboration with the Mercy Hospital for Women are holding a free information forum on Saturday the 14th of May. The aim of this forum is to bring together women living with a gynaecological cancer. The information day will include a range of speakers talking about the services available to support women living with a gynaecological cancer.
The program will include a presentation from Assoc. Prof. Peter Grant, Gynaecological Oncologist on the latest diagnosis and treatment options for women living with a gynaecological cancer. A special feature of the day will be the opportunity for women to participate in a creative session in the afternoon.
For more information visit the forums web page here.
BreaCan in partnership with Ovarian Cancer Australia have received a grant for $50,000 from the Department of Health. The grant was announced by Minister for Health David Davis MP at the launch of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month held at Federation Square. The grant will be used to increase the access of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers to support services, whilst at the same time work with other service providers in Victoria to develop better collaboration and integration of services.
The BreaCan Resource Centre will close for the Christmas/New Year period at 2pm on 20 December 2010. BreaCan can provide telephone support on the 5 & 6 January, and the Resource Centre will re-open on 10 January 2011. If you require immediate support during this time you can contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 (Mon-Fri 8.30am – 8pm).
‘Hope In The Face Of Uncertainty’: Forum for Women Living with Advanced Cancer
Women living with advanced cancer are invited to this very special forum, a joint initiative by BreaCan and Cancer Council Victoria. Come and connect with other women living with advanced cancer, listen to our guest speakers, attend an information session and participate in some fun and creative workshops. Booking is essential and partners or a family member are also very welcome to attend.
Please register by Monday 6 September to BreaCan on 1300 781 500 or breacan@breacan.org.au
