Welcome to the Advanced Breast Cancer Group. We offer a range of services for women with advanced breast cancer, also referred to as secondary breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer, including weekly support groups , support for partners and families, an online forum , a documentary DVD entitled "You're Not Alone - a film about living with secondary breast cancer", and this web site.
On 10th anniversary of Advanced Breast Cancer Group, and as a tribute to Dr David Spiegel (Stanford University, USA) who believes no matter what the challenge, the human heart of endurance has the resource of previously unchartered depths.
I hear voices of kick-arse women determined to disprove endurance limits;
I hear of visualising pacmen/chemomen eating cancer cells;
I hear stories of timely fulfilling dreams;
I hear stifled tears in goodbyes to tired souls seeking peace;
I hear voices reaching out in fear and comfort answers;
I hear voices charting the unimaginable, the inestimable, all the while knowing the journey’s end;
All this keeps kindling hope in my strength.
Fran
Discussion in the Forum about a recently published article in The Age
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the article.
Our Kay with William McInnes at the Redcliffe mini Field of Women.
A documentary DVD entitled "You're Not Alone - a film about living with secondary breast cancer" was launched on 17 April by The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, at the Griffith University Film School.
It is a story about the experience of three women living with secondary breast cancer. They talk about what it was like when they were first diagnosed with this life threatening illness, and their journey into unchartered territory as they learned to cope, with the support of their family, friends and other women in a professionally led support group.
The evening started with an introduction from one of the co-ordinators of the service, Mary O'Brien. The Governor then launched the DVD with a moving speech;
. "...As each of them shares her own insights, we glimpse a journey that's uncertain, arduous, painful, shadowed. No-one can tell them when it will end. Yet their walk along it is honest and brave, lit up by unquenchable hope. They are learning and accepting, talking, sharing, searching in themselves and those around them. ..." To read the complete speech, click here . After the film was shown the other co-ordinator of the service, Pia Hirsch, thanked The Governor, the women, and distinguished guests. Read here
The film was produced by the Advanced Breast Cancer Group, (Brisbane), in collaboration with the Griffith Film School, Griffith University and funded by Queensland Health. It was developed as a resource for women with secondary breast cancer, their partners and families and for health professionals involved in their care.
"We found it to be a very honest and sensitive DVD that identified the challenges of a secondary breast cancer diagnosis whilst promoting hope.
It will be a very useful resource for BreaCan in supporting women, their partners and families to live well with a diagnosis of advanced disease." BreaCan, Victoria
"Should be mandatory viewing for partner's and families" - Tony, partner of a woman from the group who died after 4 years of living with advanced breast cancer.
To request a free copy of this DVD ring The Cancer Council Helpline - 131120.
Residents outside of Queensland need to ask to be put through to the
Helpline in Brisbane.
It can also be obtained by sending an email to:
making sure you include your full name and postal address. We would welcome any feedback you may have once you have watched it.
Hope and Hurdles Pack
BCNA are the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. They supply a free Hope & Hurdles Pack to women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
The Hope & Hurdles Pack is the result of extensive consultations with women living with advanced breast cancer, and those who treat and care for them. Hundreds of women shared their experiences, practical tips, and strategies to get through tough times and their gems of wisdom.
Order online or call 1300 887 340 to order your free Hope & Hurdles Pack.
For more information click here
The article - Supportive-expressive group therapy for women with metastatic-breast cancer: Improving access for Australian women through use of teleconferencehas been accepted for publication in the journal Psychotherapy and Counselling Research. To download a copy of this article, click here .
Psychological well-being improves after 12 months in the Group.
Click here for more information about the findings of our ongoing evaluation of this service.
A Field of Women was held at Shorncliffe, near Brisbane, in honour of Veronica MacCaulay-Cross. A pink lady was planted on behalf of women in the group.
Travel Photos!
Forum Development. We are amalgamating our forum with others around Australia, to form a national forum for those affected by breast cancer. The link to the site iswww.bcaus.org.au
One of the side effects of chemotherapy that is regularly discussed in the group is the impact on appetiteRead more
Armed with Chocolate Frogs To purchase the book, click here.
We would like to thank The Queensland Country Women's Association for their generous donation to the service. We would also like to acknowledge their earlier donation , in 2001, of the teleconference unit, which enabled women from rural and remote Queensland to join the Group.
This site was launched onto the world wide web by the Honourable Anna Bligh from TheSpeaker's Hall at Parliament House on Tuesday 9 May, 2006. Click here for details.
A link to the Seize the Day awards for young people in Queensland can be found here
This community based service is the only one of its kind in Australia. Through the use of the telephone, Brisbane women, rural women and even women who feel too sick to drive in, can share their experience and gain support from each other as well as from the group facilitators.
With the addition of the Forums, or Online Support Groups , offered by this site, women throughout Australia, and their families and friends, can now connect with one another at any time of the day or night.
“I am very thankful I became aware of this group because I am convinced it has been an extremely effective part of my treatment, affecting not only my emotional coping strategies, but also has provided a mine of information on treatment options, and financial and government services.
The friendships I have formed through this group have helped me through some tough times. The contact between group sessions is very important to me and has helped me to pull myself out of depression."
Read what other women have said about being in the group
To find out more about the service, click on the buttons at the side.
“I am very thankful I became aware of this group because I am convinced it has been an extremely effective part of my treatment, affecting not only my emotional coping strategies, but also has provided a mine of information on treatment options, and financial and government services.