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Breast cancer screening in Australia may change. Here’s what we know so far

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brooke-nickel-200747">Brooke Nickel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katy-bell-134554">Katy Bell</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>The way women are screened for breast cancer in Australia may <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/early-detection/breast-cancer/rosa/key-findings">change</a>.</p> <p>There’s international debate on the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/385/bmj.q1353">age</a> women should be invited for screening. But an even larger change being considered worldwide is whether to screen women at <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-021-01550-3">high and low risk</a> of breast cancer differently.</p> <p>But what such a “risk-based” approach to screening might look like in Australia is not yet clear.</p> <p>Here’s why researchers and public health officials are floating a change to breast cancer screening in Australia, and what any changes might mean.</p> <h2>Why breast cancer screening may need to change</h2> <p>Mass screening (known as population-based screening) for breast cancer was introduced in Australia and many other developed countries in the 1980s and 90s.</p> <p>This was based on <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26756588/">robust research</a> that found early detection and treatment of cancers before there were symptoms prevented some women from dying from breast cancer.</p> <p>These programs offer regular breast cancer screening to women within a specific age group. For example, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer-screening/national-cancer-screening-programs-participation/contents/breastscreen-australia">in Australia</a>, women aged 40-74 years can have free mammograms (x-rays of the breasts) every two years. The BreastScreen program sends invitations for screening to those aged 50-74.</p> <p>However, evidence has been mounting that mammography screening could be inadvertently causing <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61611-0/abstract">harm</a> for some women.</p> <p>For some, screening causes a false alarm that may cause anxiety, and unnecessary tests and procedures. Even though these tests rule out cancer, these women may remain anxious and perceive something is wrong <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e072188">for many years</a>.</p> <p>A more insidious harm is <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-warning-signs-of-overdiagnosis-110895">overdiagnosis</a>, where screening detects a non-growing or slow-growing lesion that looks like “cancer” under the microscope, but would not have progressed or caused harm if it had been left alone. This means some women are having unnecessary surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy that will not benefit them, but may harm.</p> <p>Although trials have shown screening reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer, questions are being raised about how much it <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6080.abstract">saves lives overall</a>. That is, it’s uncertain how much the reduced risk of dying from breast cancer translates into improvements in a woman’s overall survival.</p> <h2>How about better targeting women?</h2> <p>One idea is to target screening to those most likely to benefit. Under such a “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-021-01550-3">risk-based</a>” approach, a women’s personal risk of breast cancer is estimated. This may be based on her age and many other factors that may include breast density, family history of breast cancer, body-mass index, genetics, age she started and stopped her periods, and the number of children she’s had.</p> <p>Women who are at higher risk would be recommended to start screening at a younger age and to screen more frequently or to use different, more sensitive, imaging tests. Women at lower risk would be recommended to start later and to screen less often.</p> <p>The idea of this more “precise” approach to screening is to direct efforts and resources towards the smaller number of women most likely to benefit from screening via the early detection of cancer.</p> <p>At the same time, this approach would reduce the risk of harm from false positives (detection of an anomaly but no cancer is present) and overdiagnosis (detection of a non-growing or slow-growing cancer) for the larger number of women who are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6230256/">unlikely to benefit</a>.</p> <p>On face value this sounds like a good idea, and could be a favourable change for breast cancer screening.</p> <h2>But there’s much we don’t know</h2> <p>However, it’s uncertain how this would play out in practice. For one thing, someone’s future risk of a cancer diagnosis includes the risk of detecting both <a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/m17-2792">overdiagnosed cancers</a> as well as potentially lethal ones. This is proving to be a problem in risk-based screening for <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41698-022-00266-8">prostate cancer</a>, another cancer prone to overdiagnosis.</p> <p>Ideally, we’d want to predict someone’s risk of <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(23)00113-9/fulltext">potentially lethal cancers</a> as these are the ones we want to catch early.</p> <p>It is also still uncertain how many women found to be at <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31701797/">low risk</a> will accept a recommendation for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23092125/">less screening</a>.</p> <p>These uncertainties mean we need robust evidence the benefits outweigh the harms for Australian women before we make changes to the breast cancer screening program.</p> <p>There are several international <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-021-01550-3">randomised controlled trials</a> (the gold standard for research) under way to evaluate the effectiveness of risk-based screening compared to current practice. So it may be prudent to wait for their findings before making changes to policy or practice.</p> <p>Even if such trials did give us robust evidence, there are still a number of issues to address before implementing a risk-based approach.</p> <p>One key issue is having enough staff to run the program, including people with the skills and time to discuss with women any concerns they have about their calculated risk.</p> <h2>How about breast density?</h2> <p>Women with dense breasts are at <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960977622001618#:%7E:text=Mammographic%20density%20is%20a%20well,increased%20risk%20of%20breast%20cancer.">higher risk of breast cancer</a>. So notifying women about their breast density has been proposed as a “first step” on the pathway to risk-based screening. However, this ignores the many other factors that determine a woman’s risk of breast cancer.</p> <p>Legislation in the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/mammography-quality-standards-act-and-program">United States</a> and changes in some <a href="https://australianbreastcancer.org.au/news-stories/latest-news/breast-density-reporting-at-all-sa-clinics/">Australian states</a> mean some women are already being notified about their breast density. The idea is to enhance their knowledge about their breast cancer risk so they can make informed decisions about future screening.</p> <p>But this has happened before we know what the best options are for such women. An <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2023/219/9/psychosocial-outcomes-and-health-service-use-after-notifying-women-participating">ongoing Australian trial</a> is investigating the effects that breast density notification has on individual women and the health system.</p> <h2>What next?</h2> <p>Robust evidence and careful planning are needed before risk-based screening or other changes are made to Australia’s breast cancer screening program.</p> <p>Where changes are made, there needs to be early evaluation of both the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h1566.abstract">benefits and harms</a>. Programs also need <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n2049.long">independent, regular re-evaluation</a> in the longer term.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/231917/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brooke-nickel-200747">Brooke Nickel</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katy-bell-134554">Katy Bell</a>, Professor in Clinical Epidemiology, Sydney School of Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/breast-cancer-screening-in-australia-may-change-heres-what-we-know-so-far-231917">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Hollywood star reveals breast cancer diagnosis

<p>Olivia Munn has revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and has undergone a double mastectomy following her diagnosis. </p> <p>In an emotional post shared on Instagram, the actress shared a series of photos of her receiving treatment over the past year, and how she first found out about her diagnosis  in an effort to "help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey".</p> <p>"In February of 2023, in an effort to be proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes," she said.</p> <p>"I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known breast cancer gene). My sister Sara had just tested negative as well. We called each other and high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a normal mammogram."</p> <p>"Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.</p> <p>"In the past ten months I have had four surgeries, so many days spent in bed I can't even count and have learned more about cancer, cancer treatment and hormones than I ever could have imagined.</p> <p>"Surprisingly, I've only cried twice. I guess I haven't felt like there was time to cry. My focus narrowed and I tabled any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clearheaded."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4dXfrULDdJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4dXfrULDdJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by o l i v i a (@oliviamunn)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She then credited her proactive gynaecologist, Dr Thais Aliabadi, for discovering the cancer, which could've gone unnoticed for another year. </p> <p>"Dr Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact that I had my first child after the age of 30," the actress said.</p> <p>"She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37 per cent. Because of that score I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast moving cancer."</p> <p>The<em> X-Men: Apocalypse </em>star said she has kept her health battle private until now, so she could catch her breath and go through the most difficult parts of her treatment. </p> <p>Her partner, comedian John Mulaney, who she shares son Malcom with, commented on her post saying: "Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you." </p> <p>A few other celebrities praised the actress for her courage and honesty. </p> <p>"You are very generous to share your story," Jessica Chastain wrote. </p> <p>"I believe in doing so, you've saved lives. So much love to you and your family."</p> <p>"Sending you and your family love &amp; healing vibes. You are so strong,"  <em>Modern Family's</em> Ariel Winter added. </p> <p>"Thank you for sharing this! Wow," <em>Big Bang Theory</em> star Kaley Cuoco wrote.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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"I’m not going to be cured". How breast cancer awareness and support sidelines people with metastatic disease

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sophie-lewis-111177">Sophie Lewis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrea-smith-15431">Andrea Smith</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-kenny-318175">Katherine Kenny</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>There have been incredible <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research">advances</a> in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in recent years. And stories about celebrities who have “beaten” breast cancer continue to be a source of inspiration for many people.</p> <p>However, this emphasis on fighting, beating and surviving cancer shuts out the voices of those who will not survive. That is, the many people diagnosed with incurable, life-limiting metastatic breast cancer, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia">which kills nine Australians every day</a> or nearly <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia">3,300 people</a> a year. Yet an <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count/">estimated 10,000</a> Australians are living with the diagnosis.</p> <p>Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, as one of the authors has been, means ongoing treatment to live as long, and as well, as possible. It also means an ongoing need for emotional and practical support.</p> <p>However, society, health-care professionals, cancer advocacy organisations, even a patient’s closest family and friends, can struggle to understand what it is like to live with an incurable and life-limiting cancer and how best to provide support.</p> <h2>Why is there so little awareness?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic">Metastatic breast cancer</a>, also called stage four breast cancer, is the most serious form of breast cancer. Unlike early breast cancer that is contained within the breast or nearby lymph nodes, metastatic breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.</p> <p>There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer despite decades of advocacy, funding and research. Treatment continues for as long as it helps to control the cancer and is tolerated by the patient. Median survival is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.51687">two to three years</a>, although newer, novel treatments mean some patients are living much longer.</p> <p>As a society, we can be uncomfortable <a href="https://theconversation.com/before-you-go-are-you-in-denial-about-death-34056">talking about and facing death</a>. When it comes to cancer, we usually prefer focusing on good news stories. These narratives are often perceived to be better for fundraising and are reassuring for people newly diagnosed. But they fail to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13704">represent</a> the diversity and reality of cancer experiences.</p> <p>Despite considerable research into people with non-metastatic breast cancer, <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count/">relatively little</a> is known about Australians with metastatic breast cancer.</p> <h2>Feeling silenced and unsupported</h2> <p>Through our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13704">research</a> we wanted to better understand people’s experiences of metastatic breast cancer. We interviewed 38 participants from around Australia with diverse experiences of metastatic breast cancer. Participants were recruited through breast cancer and community organisations.</p> <p>We found messages and public campaigns about cancer survivorship, which emphasise hope and positivity, drowned out the voices of those with metastatic breast cancer. The focus on “success stories” about surviving breast cancer made some people feel like it was their responsibility to “beat” cancer. If they didn’t, it was their own fault. </p> <p>As one interviewee told us: "I react quite badly to all the, ‘we’ve had breast cancer and we beat it and we’ve survived. Aren’t we fantastic.’ There’s almost a feeling if you haven’t beaten your breast cancer you haven’t tried hard enough."</p> <p>Silence around metastatic breast cancer was common in research participants’ experiences. It prevented many from connecting with others and to the support they needed. It even affected relationships with those closest to them leaving them feeling misunderstood: "They don’t realise I’ve got to be on treatment forever. I’m not going to be cured. I think society thinks everything can be fixed; metastatic breast cancer actually can’t be fixed."</p> <p>Sharing deep fears and worries about their life expectancy can leave people with metastatic breast cancer feeling drained rather than supported. Many participants reported having to support and shield family, friends, acquaintances and work colleagues from the reality of their terminal diagnosis.</p> <p>"You hide how you feel because you don’t want to be avoided […] You put on that big, happy face. But like an onion if you peeled the layers away, you’d find out what’s going on."</p> <p>While many participants wanted to join a community of people with metastatic breast cancer, they struggled to know how to find one. Those who did, emphasised how invaluable it had been: "Being able to identify with and know that these people really get me is a huge relief and it reduces the isolation."</p> <p>These findings echo <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/media/alcjjmm2/bcna_member-survey-report_2017.pdf">previous research</a> demonstrating people with metastatic breast cancer have higher support needs than those with non-metastatic breast cancer. And these needs are <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/media/alcjjmm2/bcna_member-survey-report_2017.pdf">less likely to be met</a> by <a href="https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-022-08269-8">health care, support services</a>, family or friends.</p> <h2>A new path</h2> <p>Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer can be terrifying, lonely and create significant support needs. It is essential people with metastatic breast cancer have their <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.20.00183">voices listened to</a> and their needs met.</p> <p>Next steps should include:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://bcna-dxp.azureedge.net/media/d32bhdzf/bcna_making-metastatic-breast-cancer-count_2022.pdf">improving data collection by cancer registries</a> so we know exactly how many people in Australia have metastatic breast cancer</p> </li> <li> <p>increasing representation of people with metastatic breast cancer in advocacy, support organisations and research</p> </li> <li> <p>nationwide access to peer-to-peer programs and professionally led metastatic breast cancer support groups.</p> </li> </ul> <p>We must ensure people with metastatic breast cancer are the ones to speak to their experience and needs. As a colleague with metastatic breast cancer said: "I read an article written by an early-stage breast cancer ‘survivor’. It felt like someone describing winter when they had only ever experienced autumn."</p> <p>If you or someone you know has metastatic breast cancer, these organisations may be able to support you or connect you with others with the same diagnosis:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.bcna.org.au">Breast Cancer Network Australia</a> for information and support</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/">McGrath Foundation</a> for information about access to metastatic breast care nurses.</p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <p><em>The authors would like to thank the members of Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Lived Experience Reference Group for their review of this article.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215458/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sophie-lewis-111177">Sophie Lewis</a>, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrea-smith-15431">Andrea Smith</a>, Research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-kenny-318175">Katherine Kenny</a>, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/im-not-going-to-be-cured-how-breast-cancer-awareness-and-support-sidelines-people-with-metastatic-disease-215458">original article</a>.</em></p>

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“If you’re reading this, I have died”: Breast cancer advocate’s powerful last words

<p dir="ltr">Breast cancer advocate Nicky Newman has passed away at the age of 35, leaving a posthumous message to her dedicated followers. </p> <p dir="ltr">The influencer has been documenting her journey battling stage 4 breast cancer with her 300,000 followers on Instagram, sharing the ups and downs of her disease. </p> <p dir="ltr">The British woman’s death was confirmed by her husband Alex, who posted Nicky’s final message to those who supported her through her cancer journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">"If you're reading this it means I have died, I made it 5 & half years though, not bad for a stage 4 breastie hey," the post began.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And none of this 'she fought her battle nonsense', I didn't lose anything, the cancer eventually took over & that's okay, we all knew this would happen."</p> <p dir="ltr">The inspiring woman recalled being told she had breast cancer and how she chose to embrace life during the time she had left.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't think we are ever prepared to hear the words, we think we are indestructible & a magic cure will appear, but the truth is we all live this life day to day (we just knew our days are shorter)," she continued.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxVtBF7Itxy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxVtBF7Itxy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Nicky & Mr G - Go Grab Life! (@nicknacklou)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">"So please promise me to cherish those around you and give your friends and loved ones the biggest squeezes! GO GRAB LIFE!</p> <p dir="ltr">"You never truly know what is coming around the corner - so don't take anything for granted."</p> <p dir="ltr">In the hours after Nicky’s last post, Alex shared some thoughts of his own to her Instagram account, explaining why he thought Nicky’s story resonated with so many. </p> <p dir="ltr">He recalled a conversation he had with this wife, saying, "People instantly love and are drawn to you because ever since diagnosis, at the worst time of our lives, we chose not to mourn the time we are losing but rather to celebrate and cherish the time that we have left - however long that may be."</p> <p dir="ltr">"She has created a legacy here, a place where anyone can see that life is for positivity and smiles and happiness. Even through hardship…even if it seems impossible."</p> <p dir="ltr">Both Alex and Nicky’s posts racked up hundreds of thousands of likes, with people flocking to the comments to share how Nicky’s strength had had an impact on their lives. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Life is so unexplainably cruel at times…and even when it was for you, you still came on here and raised awareness for all of us, and our future generations - of the importance of things that without you educating us, we wouldn’t know without having to go and research ourselves.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thankyou for putting us first, and for making me see how precious life is, & how important it is to grab it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Mum fined for pumping breast milk in the car

<p dir="ltr">A mum from Queensland has received a hefty fine for something she has done many times before. </p> <p dir="ltr">Meagan Schmock and her husband Benjamin were travelling home from their honeymoon on the Gold Coast when Meagan, who is a breastfeeding mum, started to feel unwell. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I was getting quite engorged and it was getting incredibly uncomfortable for me. It's throbbing, it's hot," Mrs Schmock told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/queensland-mum-fined-after-pumping-breast-milk-in-passenger-seat/e2a4be4a-7201-43df-896c-ddbff34acee8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meagan was in the passenger seat while her husband drove, so Meagan was able to pump breast milk for her 10-month-old son Billy. </p> <p dir="ltr">"To have to sit in the car for an hour-and-a-half, maybe two hours, waiting to get home to feed my little one, It just wasn't going to happen," Mrs Schmock said.</p> <p dir="ltr">While pumping, traffic cameras snapped a picture of the mum adjusting herself for a split second, resulting in a fine. </p> <p dir="ltr">"They have captured me taking my seatbelt off, putting it underneath my arm so I can unhook my breast pump," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Schmock said her seatbelt remained fastened the whole time and only slipped under her armpit for a split second.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the manoeuver has now landed her husband a hefty infringement notice for driving with a passenger who failed to wear their seatbelt correctly.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was $1161 and four demerit points. I was gob-smacked. I was shocked," Mrs Schmock said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I saw the money fine first and I was just like, 'what's happened'? And then as I've unfolded the letter, I've seen this photo and then looked closer and been like, 'that's me pumping'."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Schmock said she had no idea you could be fined for readjusting your seat belt, and shared the story of the fine on social media. </p> <p dir="ltr">Other mums chimed in on the incident, saying they were grateful for Meagan’s story. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I felt a lot of support from that - realising that a lot more (mums) didn't know," Mrs Schmock said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another Queensland mum also learned the same lesson the hard way.</p> <p dir="ltr">The same seatbelt camera also captured her in the passenger seat pumping breast milk and she was fined $413 and three demerit points.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As a breastfeeding mum - and I'm sure any other mums who have breastfeed or who have pumped before know that - you can't just really wait," Mrs Schmock said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meagan and Benjamin Schmock are now disputing the fine with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and they are considering exploring the potential for a seat belt exemption due to a medical condition.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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How Fergie's breast cancer became "an enormous friend"

<p>Sarah Ferguson has shared how she has turned her devastating diagnosis of breast cancer into a tool for resilience and strength. </p> <p>The Duchess of York, who was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sarah-ferguson-s-devastating-cancer-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diagnosed</a> with breast cancer after a routine mammogram in June, has described her illness as an "enormous friend" she uses as a "shield of protection".</p> <p>After publicly sharing the news of her diagnosis, Fergie said she has received an "outpouring of kindness" from members of the public, who have written her letters of well wishes. </p> <p>While recovering from her single mastectomy, the Duchess has been personally replying to the letters while watching the tennis and taking it easy. </p> <p>Speaking on her podcast <em>Tea Talks with the Duchess &amp; Sarah</em>, which she hosts with her close friend Sarah Thomson, she said the personal letters have been very healing for her to read. </p> <p>"It's been great, staring this journey back to full health, sitting watching Wimbledon, great excuse, I also love to respond in hand-written letters to anyone that has been kind," the Duchess said.</p> <p>"I've written about 500 this week."</p> <p>Doctors first found the cancer after a routine mammogram earlier this year, which the Duchess almost put off.</p> <p>She was soon admitted to the King Edward VII's Hospital in London for a single mastectomy and is now recovering at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.</p> <p>Addressing the impact the breast cancer had had on her, she said, "People are asking me about this breast cancer".</p> <p>"I really feel this is really exciting, about having this enormous friend with me, who is now my friend, to such a degree I feel like a shield, like I've got a shield of protection, because it feels like it's definitely there to say we got this."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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National Duck Day: Diana Chan's Luv-a-Duck Seared Duck breast with nashi pears, honey and star anise

<p dir="ltr">The family owned business and Australia’s leading duck producer Luv-a-Duck has partnered up with MasterChef alum and duck lover Diana Chan, to officially launch National Duck Day, which falls on Tuesday May 23rd, 2023. </p> <p dir="ltr">Diana Chan is a Malaysian-Australian and won the 9th season of MasterChef in 2017. She has since become a well-known TV host, menu designer, product creator and restaurateur, turning her passion for food into her career.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Duck </span>breast with nashi pears, honey and star recipe</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Serves:</strong> 2</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Prep time:</strong> 10 mins </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Cook time: </strong>45 mins</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong> INGREDIENTS: </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 x Luv-A-Duck raw duck breasts </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Salt to taste </p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For the roasted pears: </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 nashi pears, halved and cored 2 tbsp honey</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Juice of 1 lemon</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">4 whole star anise pods </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp dry vermouth or dry white wine </p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Garnish:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Micro herbs </p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>METHOD: </strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Preheat the oven to 180C. Cut 4 pieces of baking paper and aluminium foil enough to cover the pears. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Dip the cut side of the pear in lemon juice (to prevent browning). </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Place 1 star anise in the cored center of each pear. Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey over each star anise.Place a pear half, cut side up, on each piece of baking paper. And wrap with foil on the outside to cover. Twist the foil tightly around the top of each fruit to seal. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Place the pears on a baking tray and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the pears are tender. Remove from the oven and carefully unwrap each pear half. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To cook the duck, make a few slits diagonally on the skin of the duck breasts about 2 cm apart. Be careful to not slice into the meat. Season liberally with salt. In a cold pan, add in the duck breasts skin side down and cook for 10-12 minutes to render the fat on low heat. Gradually turn the heat up from low to high. Turn the duck breast over and cook for another 5 minutes. Allow the duck breasts to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Add the liquid from the pears into the pan with all the duck fat and juices and mix to combine over low heat. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To assemble, slice each duck breast into three pieces diagonally. Place on a serving plate with the pears and drizzle over the pan juices over the duck.</p> </li> </ol> <p><em>Image credit: </em><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Luv-a-Duck</span></em></p>

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National Duck Day: Diana Chan’s Luv-a-Duck Peking Duck breast with egg noodles, five spice sauce and fresh cucumber salad

<p dir="ltr">The family owned business and Australia’s leading duck producer Luv-a-Duck has partnered up with MasterChef alum and duck lover Diana Chan, to officially launch National Duck Day, which falls on Tuesday May 23rd, 2023. </p> <p dir="ltr">Diana Chan is a Malaysian-Australian and won the 9th season of MasterChef in 2017. She has since become a well-known TV host, menu designer, product creator and restaurateur, turning her passion for food into her career.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Diana Chan’s Luv-a-Duck Peking Duck breast with egg noodles, five spice sauce and fresh cucumber salad</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Serves:</strong> 2</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Prep time: </strong>10 mins</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Cook time:</strong> 10 mins</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>INGREDIENTS:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 x precooked Luv-A Duck peking duck breasts</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 x 400g packet fresh egg noodles (medium thickness)</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For the five spice sauce:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp cooking oil</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">2 cloves garlic, minced</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">3 shallots, finely diced</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">50g galangal, sliced</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">50g ginger, sliced</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Leftover liquid from the packet</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp five spice powder</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp tapioca starch mixed with 2 tbsp of water</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For the cucumber salad:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 continental cucumber, halved and sliced into 5mm thick chunks</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">30g coriander, roughly chopped</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp black vinegar</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tsp sugar</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tbsp soy sauce</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>To garnish:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Freshly sliced spring onions</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1 tsp toasted sesame seeds</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>METHOD:</strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cook the peking duck breasts according to the packet instructions (microwave or oven) and set aside somewhere warm.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Preheat a large braising pot or wok. Add cooking oil. Add the garlic, shallots, galangal and ginger and fry until aromatic - about 3 minutes or so. Add the sauce from the packet and the five spice. Allow to reduce for 10 minutes.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mix tapioca starch with water. Pour it into the sauce liquid while stirring at the same time and the liquid will start to thicken. You can add more tapioca mixture if you don't think the sauce  is thick enough.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">While the sauce simmers, reheat the noodles according to the packet instructions.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To assemble, remove the cooked duck breasts from the packet and slice them into 5mm thickness.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">In a mixing bowl, add in all the ingredients for the cucumber salad and mix to combine.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Place the reduced sauce into the serving bowls, divide the noodles into 2 portions, top with the duck breasts and pour over the sauce. Serve with the cucumber salad on the side. Garnish with some spring onions and sesame seeds.</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Luv-A-Duck</em></p>

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After breast cancer: 5 changes you can make to stay healthy

<p>Every year, more than <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20,000 Australians</a> – mostly women – are diagnosed with breast cancer. If you’re one of them or know someone who is, the great news is that <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">92 out of every 100</a> women will survive for five years or more after their diagnosis.</p> <p>But women are often surprised by the life-altering side effects from their cancer treatment that can continue for years after, such as pain and fatigue. And many live with the dread of their cancer returning, even after they pass the celebrated five-year survival mark.</p> <p>So, what can you do to improve your chances of living a longer, healthier life after a breast cancer diagnosis?</p> <h2>1. Stay physically active</h2> <p>Move more and sit less. Ideally, this includes gradually progressing towards and then maintaining about 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of planned, regular <a href="https://www.cosa.org.au/media/332488/cosa-position-statement-v4-web-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercise a week</a>. This involves a mix of aerobic exercise (such as walking) and resistance exercises (that target specific muscle groups), done at a moderate or high enough intensity to make you huff and puff a bit.</p> <p>Observational studies show associations between exercise and living longer and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32337494/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prevention of cancer recurrence</a>. And there’s some <a href="https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(18)31270-2/fulltext#secsect0075" target="_blank" rel="noopener">preliminary evidence</a> from clinical trials to support this too.</p> <p>Women with breast cancer who exercise and are more active, have better quality of life, strength and fitness, and fewer and less severe side effects during <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32337494/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">active treatment</a>.</p> <h2>2. Eat a high quality diet</h2> <p>Women with better diets – that include a high intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, whole grains and fish – <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/2/348" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been shown</a> to live longer after a breast cancer diagnosis than those who have a diet high in refined or processed foods and red meat.</p> <p>This is due mainly to the benefit of a good diet on reducing the risks of other health conditions, such as heart disease, rather than having a direct effect on the risk of dying from breast cancer.</p> <p>Many women, particularly older women or those with early stage breast cancer, are actually at higher risk of dying from <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000556" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heart disease</a> than their breast cancer. A high quality diet can help maintain a <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-six-tips-for-losing-weight-without-fad-diets-52496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">healthy body weight</a> and <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001031" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heart health</a>.</p> <p>There has been <a href="https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/intermittent-fasting-may-help-cancer-treatments-work-better" target="_blank" rel="noopener">growing interest</a> in specific diets (such as <a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/early-evidence-shows-fasting-keto-diet-may-make-chemo-and-some-other-cancrer-treatments-more-effective-and-easier-to-tolerate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ketogenic</a> or low-carbohydrate diets) and fasting during cancer treatment. But the most recent guidelines state <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.22.00687" target="_blank" rel="noopener">there’s no evidence yet</a> to say these are of significant benefit.</p> <p>More research is being done following findings from a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16138-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 study</a>, which suggested a “fasting mimicking diet” (low calorie, low protein) on the days prior to and of chemotherapy, produced a better response to treatment. However, compliance with the diet was difficult – only one in five women in the study were able to stick to the fasting diet for all their chemotherapy treatments.</p> <h2>3. Maintain a healthy weight</h2> <p>Excess body weight has also been <a href="https://www.wcrf.org/diet-activity-and-cancer/cancer-prevention-recommendations/after-a-cancer-diagnosis-follow-our-recommendations-if-you-can/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">linked to poorer survival</a> after breast cancer diagnosis. But so far there haven’t been <a href="https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2016.69.4026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">any clinical trials</a> to show the opposite: that weight loss following a breast cancer diagnosis can improve survival. Trials are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.23287" target="_blank" rel="noopener">underway</a> to answer this question.</p> <p><a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.34343" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weight gain is common</a> following breast cancer treatment. The causes for this are complex and carrying extra weight can make some of the side effects of treatment worse. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/11/4091" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our recent study</a> of women following breast cancer treatment, found that when they are supported to lose a modest amount of weight (5% of their body weight), they improved their physical quality of life and reduced their pain levels. They also reduced their risk of heart disease and diabetes.</p> <p>Besides these well-established tips, a small body of research suggests two more behaviours, related to our <a href="https://theconversation.com/your-body-has-an-internal-clock-that-dictates-when-you-eat-sleep-and-might-have-a-heart-attack-all-based-on-time-of-day-178601" target="_blank" rel="noopener">body clock</a>, can impact health after a breast cancer diagnosis.</p> <h2>4. Get good sleep</h2> <p>Disrupted sleep – common among women with breast cancer – can remain for years after your treatment has ended.</p> <p>Women with breast cancer who <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418457/#bib35" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regularly struggle</a> to fall or stay asleep at night – compared those who rarely or never – are at greater risk of dying from any cause.</p> <p>And it’s not just about how well, but also how long you sleep. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28190251/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sleeping longer</a> than nine hours per night – compared to seven to eight hours – is associated with a 48% increased risk of breast cancer returning. But, studies are yet to tease apart the possible reasons for this. Is increased risk of cancer recurrence a result of sleeping longer or is sleeping longer a consequence of progressing or recurrent disease?</p> <h2>5. Be mindful of when you eat</h2> <p>Preliminary research suggests when you eat matters. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4982776/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delaying the time</a> between the last meal of the day (dinner or supper) and first meal of the next (breakfast) may help reduce the chances of breast cancer returning.</p> <p>When women reported fasting overnight for fewer than 13 hours – compared to 13 or more hours – after a breast cancer diagnosis, it was linked to a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4982776/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">36% increased</a> risk of breast cancer coming back. But the study’s authors note randomised trials are needed to test whether increasing the amount of time fasting at night can reduce the risk of disease.</p> <h2>Small steps to big changes</h2> <p>The World Cancer Research Fund has developed <a href="https://www.wcrf.org/diet-activity-and-cancer/cancer-prevention-recommendations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a list of recommendations</a> to reduce cancer risk and reduce the risk of cancer coming back. But <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(22)00076-4/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our research</a> has found most women aren’t meeting these recommendations after their breast cancer diagnosis. Changing habits after breast cancer <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(20)31340-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can also be harder</a>, mainly due to fatigue and stress.</p> <p>Starting exercise after treatment can be intimidating and even frightening. It’s a good idea to start small, for example: aim to increase exercise by 10 to 15 minutes each week. Having an exercise buddy really helps and there are lots of <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/services-and-support-groups/services/31217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercise programs</a> for people who’ve had breast cancer.</p> <p><a href="http://exerciseismedicine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EIM-FactSheet_Breast-Cancer_Public-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Common questions</a> about exercising after a breast cancer diagnosis include how to avoid the swelling and discomfort of <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/lymphoedema/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW4nqYq_XXsvaC29ijwWQRMGpvL563VMuExeCjZ39l-KAyQ-BukbSLBoCIZYQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lymphoedema</a>, which develops in about 20% of breast cancer survivors who have had lymph nodes removed. People also worry about exercise and wig discomfort or irritation from radiation. Specific <a href="http://exerciseismedicine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EIM-FactSheet_Breast-Cancer_Public-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">advice</a> is available.</p> <p>Similar to exercise goals, rather than striving for a perfect diet, you can aim to <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-plant-based-foods-to-eat-every-week-and-why-science-suggests-theyre-good-for-you-157235" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eat more vegetables each week</a>.</p> <p>Sleep can be challenging if you’ve been worrying about a cancer diagnosis or treatment but <a href="https://www.bcna.org.au/media/3757/bcna-fact-sheet-sleepless-nights-jan-2017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tips</a> for getting the recommended seven to nine hours sleep each night include exercising earlier in the day, avoiding snacks before bed and good sleep hygiene.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-breast-cancer-5-changes-you-can-make-to-stay-healthy-190970" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Body

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Body and mind: Metastatic breast cancer impacts mental health too

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A diagnosis of breast cancer can be a difficult pill to swallow not just for those who receive the diagnosis, with friends, family and others in their support network also needing to come to terms with it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Dr Lisa Beatty, a clinical psychologist and senior research fellow at Cancer Council South Australia, everyone will react to their diagnosis differently.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We do know that the distress rates are roughly four in ten women will have what we call clinically significant distress and that is where it is actually getting to the point where it might be causing a real impact in how they’re able to function in their life,” she </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/blog/psychological-impact-breast-cancer" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stage IV breast cancer, also called metastatic, advanced or secondary cancer, can be even harder to cope with, as the diagnosis comes with a lower five-year survival rate and the knowledge that cancer cells have spread from the breast to the bones, liver, brain, or lungs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Nicholas Zdenkowski, a breast cancer researcher and member of the Breast Cancer Trials Scientific Advisory Committee, tells </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">OverSixty</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that metastatic cancer is diagnosed at two time points: as an initial diagnosis or as a recurrence months or years after diagnosis and treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7847044/nick.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e95419ba42d4c5caa6a500d9169ac70" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Nick Zdenkowski says work is continuing into individualising diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Image: Supplied</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Breast cancer is most likely to be diagnosed around age 60, however it affects women and men across a broad range of ages (younger and older),” he says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the Breast Cancer Trials, it is estimated that between five and ten percent of those diagnosed with breast cancer each year will have metastatic breast cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, it is estimated that 20-30 percent of people diagnosed with early breast cancer will go on to develop metastatic cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the likelihood of developing metastatic breast cancer is well-understood on a population level, Dr Zdenkowsi says identifying exact individuals “is a major challenge”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We have greatly refined our understanding over the years, but it is still a work in progress,” he explains.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Enormous effort is being put into individualising the level of risk of breast cancer so that further research into screening, prevention and early treatment can reduce the likelihood of metastatic recurrence.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With psychological symptoms of breast cancer diagnoses including anxiety, depression, shock, and issues surrounding body image and intimacy, there have been </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://jons-online.com/issues/2021/november-2021-vol-12-no-11/4165-information-and-support-needs-of-people-with-newly-diagnosed-metastatic-breast-cancer" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">appeals</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from organisations such as Living Beyond Breast Cancer to improve the availability of information for those diagnosed about metastatic breast cancer, mental health, and talking to family.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For those looking to support a loved one with breast cancer, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/patient-support/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cancer Council</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/coping-with-metastatic-breast-cancer/where-to-find-support/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Breast Cancer Network Australia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/blog/online-support-breast-cancer" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Breast Cancer Trials</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have further resources that can help you figure out what to say to your loved ones, and how to support them through treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Beatty will also be appearing at a free Q&amp;A panel on metastatic breast cancer hosted by journalist Annabel Crabb and organised by Breast Cancer Trials.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking place on Monday, February 7 between 5-6.30pm, the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Q&amp;A</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> panellists will discuss the latest research in metastatic breast cancer and the impacts of the disease on mental health and will be open to questions from registered attendees.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Mind

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EXCLUSIVE: Masterchef’s Sarah Todd shares impact of her mum’s breast cancer diagnosis

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/breast-cancer" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">one in seven</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Australian </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">women receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, many of us know someone who has been affected.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After her mum was diagnosed with the disease on her 50th birthday, celebrity chef and MasterChef alumni </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahtodd/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah Todd</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> found out firsthand how the diagnosis can turn the lives of individuals and their families upside down.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844710/sarah-todd1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e1edef836a8f4d8b8b75be19a9577334" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah and her mum at the Australian Open. Image: Supplied</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since then, Sarah has become passionate about raising awareness and funds for breast cancer clinical trials.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She has also partnered with Breast Cancer Trials to encourage Aussies to raise money to help develop treatments and cures for the disease.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah sat down with </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">OverSixty</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to chat about her mum’s diagnosis, her passion for cancer research, and how others can get involved.</span></p> <p><strong>O60: Your passion for research into breast cancer clinical trials comes from your own experience after your mum was diagnosed thirteen years ago. Could you tell us a bit more about that time and how that passion came about?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, there was no hesitation in starting her treatment. It was Mum's positive mindset combined with the specialised treatment she received that assisted her recovery. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is not until you or someone you love must fight for their life that you realise how vital the Breast Cancer Trials are. I am incredibly grateful, and it is through these trials, new treatments are developed to improve recovery rates.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844711/sarah-todd2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dd12b61cdd4340b1b07ff0009f2fa3c0" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah’s mum and aunty. Image: Supplied</span></em></p> <p><strong>O60: What are your hopes for breast cancer research in the next ten years?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Through breast cancer research, I hope that the incidence of breast cancer will decrease to the extent that the focus will be on prevention strategies. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After seeing someone battle through chemotherapy, I hope that treatment will become less invasive. </span></p> <p><strong>O60: You have teamed up with the Breast Cancer Trials ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, can you tell us a bit about how people can get involved?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depending on your excitement levels, you can either get involved by rolling up your sleeves and taking part in the 3 course challenge or you can simply donate to any of the participants.</span></p> <p><strong>O60: The 3 Course Challenge is all about getting people cooking and raising money, what is your go-to recipe for when friends and family are coming over?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is nothing quite like the flavours and aromas of Indian cuisine. At least once a week, you will find a fish curry simmering away in my kitchen. I will be sharing this recipe with the 3 Course Challenge participants. Once they learn how easy this fragrant, light, flavoursome curry is, it will become a regular in their household as well.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUCGZonhdlG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUCGZonhdlG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by SARAH TODD (@sarahtodd)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.3coursechallenge.com.au/main-homepage" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">3 Course Challenge</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, hosted by the Breast Cancer Trials, is encouraging food lovers to get cooking - or support other cooks - to raise funds for research in breast cancer treatments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The challenge runs from August until November and calls on foodies to whip up a three-course Indian meal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Those who raise more than $150 will get a chance to learn how to make three delicious courses from Sarah Todd over livestream.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Supplied</span></em></p>

Relationships

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“Scary to talk about”: Changing discussions around breast cancer and sex

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As one of the most common cancers in Australian women, the challenges of breast cancer are experienced by thousands of women each year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But one of the areas some say isn’t talked about enough is the impact of breast cancer on women’s sex lives and body image.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Health professionals are comfortable and used to talking about the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting to patients, but many do not feel comfortable discussing the other side effects of treatment, and how these may impact intimate relationships,” says Kate White, a professor of cancer nursing from the University of Sydney Nursing School.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“[Doctors] often wait for the patient to bring it up, rather than proactively explaining it as another potential side effect.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medical oncologist Dr Belinda Kiely agrees that changes in the conversations around breast cancer and sex need to come from doctors.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We, as doctors, are very good at asking people about their pain, or their nausea or their constipation, but another line of questions should be ‘what’s happening with your sex life?’ or something along those lines,” she says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think we could do a better job of bringing it up and not relying on women to bring it up when it is a bit scary to talk about.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Kiely also points out that changes in physical and mental symptoms can impact the sex lives of patients in various ways.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professor Fran Boyle agrees, noting that issues surrounding intimacy can arise when any serious illness is diagnosed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, there are some issues unique to breast cancer patients when it comes to getting intimate with a partner, such as hormonal changes due to breast cancer treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Breast cancer also affects a part of the body which is important for many women for arousal as well as body image, and, when sore or numb post-surgery, women may not wish to be touched on the breasts,” she says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hair loss from chemotherapy can also affect body image and relationships.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other issues can include low libido, vaginal dryness or soreness, as well as hot flashes and sleeping problems, which Professor Boyle says can have an “impact on the desire for closeness”.</span></p> <p><strong>A gap in the discussion</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rebecca Angus was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, and her eventual journey to recovery impacted her life in countless ways.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In her experience, Rebecca found that discussions around sex with medical practitioners focused on medical aspects, leaving the effects on mental health unspoken.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sex is explored at the beginning of chemotherapy education. However, it mainly focuses on fertility preservation, ovarian suppression and contraception during treatment,” Rebecca says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Rebecca recovered, fatigue from treatment and medical restrictions on how she could engage in sexual activity had dramatic effects on her sex life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’ve got this cancer in your body that has tried to kill you, so you don’t have the best relationship with your body at that stage,” she says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There are a lot of rules around when and how you can have sex as well. Your body for a while is not your own, it belongs to health professionals.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though her experience may not be universal, Rebecca says, “Having a good sex life within a relationship is so valuable for anyone with cancer”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also hopes to normalise conversations around these more sensitive topics so that women can obtain the help they need.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can get help from your psychologists, gynaecologists and oncologists - your specialists are there to help you.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professors White and Boyle will be appearing alongside Dr Kiely and Rebecca Angus for a Q&amp;A all about breast cancer and sex on Thursday, September 30.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844487/qa.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0a06a22ca4574d9481ca358a26eeab95" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Supplied</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s Talk About Sex</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a free Q&amp;A session run by The Breast Cancer Trials and moderated by journalist Annabel Crabb that offers the chance for anyone to ask questions about this important issue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The online event will take place between 5pm and 6.30pm, and attendees can register </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Body

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Aspirin could be our next weapon against aggressive breast cancer

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aspirin may be used in future treatments of breast cancer, with doctors saying it can make hard-to-treat tumours more responsive to anti-cancer drugs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new trial is starting in Manchester, England, with triple-negative breast-cancer patients, run by a team at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team suspects aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties may be what boost the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs, rather than its analgesic effect.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though animal studies have shown encouraging results and there is some evidence aspirin may help prevent other cancers, more research is needed before it is recommended as a treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Around 15 percent of breast cancers are triple negative, which is a more aggressive type of breast cancer and frequently affects younger women and black women.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Triple negative cancer tumours lack some of the receptors that other breast cancers have, which means they can’t be treated with drugs such as herceptin.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But other treatments could work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the Manchester trial, some patients will be given aspirin and immunotherapy drug avelumab before they undergo surgery and chemotherapy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the trial is successful, further clinical trials could start to test the effectiveness of aspirin and avelumab on incurable secondary triple-negative breast cancer - the stage where cancer cells start to spread to other parts of the body.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not all breast cancers respond well to immunotherapy,” trial lead Dr Anne Armstrong said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Trialling the use of a drug like aspirin is exciting because it is so widely available and inexpensive to produce.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We hope our trial will show that, when combined with immunotherapy, aspirin can enhance its effects and may ultimately provide a safe new way to treat breast cancer.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Co-researcher Dr Rebecca Lee said their findings suggest that aspirin may be preventing the cancer from making substances that weaken the body’s immune response, in turn increasing the effectiveness of certain types of immunotherapy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We hope aspirin can dampen down bad inflammation so the immune system can get on with the job of killing cancer cells,” she said.</span></p>

Body

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Warning issued for women with breast implants

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An urgent warning has been issued by health authorities after a link was found between breast implants and a rare cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been found in a small number of women who have undergone breast reconstruction surgeries, with the cancer developing between three and 14 years after the procedure.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The cancer cells usually grow in the fluid and scar tissue that develops around the implant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Safer Care Victoria issued a public safety notice that urges women who have undergone the procedure to keep an eye out for swelling, caused by fluid around the implant, and any pain, rashes, or lumps.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Please speak to your GP immediately if you notice a chance, as this cancer is highly curable if diagnosed and treated early,” Safer Care Victoria said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you don’t have symptoms, there is no need to remove your implants. Removal of implants, as well as the use of anaesthetics, come with a surgical risk.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to experts, the risk of developing BIA-ALCL depends on the type of implant used, with the risk estimated to be between one in 1000 and one in 10,000.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the cause of BIA-ALCL is still unconfirmed, the prevailing theory is that bacterial contamination occurs when the implant is inserted or in the period just after surgery, causing a low-grade bacterial biofilm. According to the theory, the biofilm causes chronic irritation over time that triggers the body’s immune system which causes the number of lymphocyte cells to rapidly increase. The lymphocyte cells can then transform into cancer cells and become ALCL.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration is aware of 76 cases of BIA-ALCL nationally, while New Zealand’s Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority has recorded six cases.</span></p>

Body

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Incredible breakthrough in breast cancer treatment

<p>An incredible new study from an Aussie scientist has discovered that bee venom is effective in killing aggressive breast cancer cells.</p> <p>Results revealed the venom – from honeybees sourced in Western Australia, England and Ireland – rapidly destroyed triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells.</p> <p>The scientist behind the research, Dr Ciara Duffy, said a specific concentration of honeybee venom could kill 100 per cent of cancer cells.</p> <p>She said the treatment had minimal effects on normal cells.</p> <p>“The venom was extremely potent,” she said.</p> <p>Dr Duffy, from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and The University of Western Australia, used the venom from 312 bees to test the effect on the clinical subtypes of breast cancer, including types with limited treatment options.</p> <p>The key ingredient was the compound melittin, naturally occurring in the venom, which Dr Duffy said can be reproduced synthetically.</p> <p>“We found that melittin can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes,” she said.</p> <p>“No-one had previously compared the effects of honeybee venom or melittin across all of the different subtypes of breast cancer and normal cells.”</p> <p>She said melittin in honeybee venom also had another remarkable effect: within 20 minutes, melittin was able to substantially reduce the chemical messages of cancer cells that are essential to cancer cell growth and cell division.</p> <p>“We looked at how honeybee venom and melittin affect the cancer signalling pathways, the chemical messages that are fundamental for cancer cell growth and reproduction, and we found that very quickly these signalling pathways were shut down,” she said.</p> <p>Western Australia’s chief scientist, Professor Peter Klinken, said it was an “incredibly exciting observation”.</p> <p>“It provides another wonderful example of where compounds in nature can be used to treat human diseases,” he said.</p> <p>Dr Duffy’s research was conducted as part of her PhD.</p> <p>“I began with collecting Perth honeybee venom,” she said.</p> <p>“Perth bees are some of the healthiest in the world.</p> <p>“The bees were put to sleep with carbon dioxide and kept on ice before the venom barb was pulled out from the abdomen of the bee and the venom extracted by careful dissection.”</p> <p><strong>IMAGE:</strong> Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research</p>

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“She was incredibly lucky”: Manu Feildel opens up about mother’s breast cancer diagnosis

<p>Celebrity chef Manu Feildel has opened up about his mother Eveylne’s ongoing breast cancer diagnosis.</p> <p>The My Kitchen Rules judge, 46, revealed in April that his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.</p> <p>“She was incredibly lucky as it was caught early,” Manu told the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/coronavirus/hibernation/she-is-recovering-well-mkr-judge-manu-feildel-opens-up-about-his-mothers-breast-cancer-battle/news-story/8f3799f4c98ad9de252fc1c58b766cb4" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a> on Wednesday.  </p> <p>According to the Breast Cancer Trials, which is the charity Manu is hoping to raise awareness of, his mother had not experienced any symptoms when she decided to go to a breast cancer screening after receiving a letter in the mail.</p> <p>It was the early diagnosis of breast cancer that helped her get to treatment quickly.</p> <p>“Thankfully, she is recovering well while living with my stepdad in France,” Manu explained.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835992/body-manu.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5b882a7c2ca642c2a0a4748b8011190b" /></p> <div class="body_text "> <p><span>He has partnered with </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/mothers-day-gift" target="_blank">Breast Cancer Trials</a><span> to encourage fans to donate funds towards clinical trial research and has offered an exclusive Mother’s Day cooking masterclass for anybody who donates before May 16</span>th<span>.</span></p> <p>“Streaming live from my home I will cook two of my favourite recipes and share some of my hints and tips and answer some of your burning culinary questions,” Manu explained on Instagram in late April.</p> <p>“The perfect gift for your Mum, your partner or even yourself this Mother’s Day.”</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Breast Cancer Trials</em></p> </div>

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Olivia Newton-John shares major update about her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis

<p>Olivia Newton-John has revealed how her battle with stage four breast cancer is going after being re-diagnosed in September 2018.</p> <p>Appearing on<span> </span><em>The Project</em><span> </span>on Thursday night, Lisa Wilkinson asked the Grease star “on behalf of everyone in Australia” how she was holding up.</p> <p>With her signature positive cheer, Olivia pumped her fists in the air and said: “Fantastic, I’m fantastic,” with a huge smile on her face.</p> <p>“I’m doing really well … thank you for your love and support, I really appreciate it,” she told the audience.</p> <p>Speaking to the panel – made up of Peter Helliar, Waleed Aly, Lisa Wilkinson and Em Rusciano – Olivia said that her recovery was moving in the right direction.</p> <p>“My last MRI, which is an exam where they look inside, things are shrinking and going away, or staying the same, and I’m living well with it and feeling great,” said the 71-year-old.</p> <p>This is the Aussie icon’s third battle with the illness.</p> <p>The four-time Grammy winner was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, undergoing a partial mastectomy and reconstruction. Olivia faced cancer for the second time in 2013, but kept the details private.</p> <p>The triple threat appeared on<span> </span><em>The Project</em><span> </span>alongside her daughter Chloe Lattanzi who is currently competing on Channel 10’s<span> </span><em>Dancing With The Stars</em>.</p>

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Why your risks of breast cancer increase as the oceans rise

<p>It is encouraging to see greater attention in the media to the issue of climate change and its effects on the life-support systems of the planet. The link between breast cancer and the environment, however, is being overlooked.</p> <p>Premenopausal women exposed to high levels of air pollution have a 30 per cent increased risk for breast cancer, according to <a href="https://journals.lww.com/environepidem/Fulltext/2018/09000/Residential_exposure_to_fine_particulate_matter.2.aspx">a paper in <em>Environmental Epidemiology</em></a> published by Paul Villeneuve, a professor of occupational and environmental health at Carleton University, and his research team last year.</p> <p>This should trigger a wake-up call given that we tend to think of breast cancer as a disease of aging women.</p> <p>In fact, the science of breast cancer tells us that “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/107735209799449761">genetic susceptibility makes only a small to moderate contribution</a>” to breast cancer. The known risk factors — such as family history, age, gender, ethnicity and hormones — account for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129067">only around three in 10 cases</a>.</p> <p>The other 70 per cent are likely related mostly to environment — including the air, water and soil, the places we live and work in and the products we consume — according to current research.</p> <p>In Canada, <a href="http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/statistics/?region=on">over 26,300 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017</a> so that 70 per cent represents a lot of women.</p> <p><strong>Carcinogens in the workplace</strong></p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-87">Our work environments</a> are part of this story.</p> <p>A paper published last November in <em>New Solutions Journal</em> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291118810900">points to workplace exposures as the cause for one woman’s breast cancer</a>.</p> <p>Using the evidence presented at a worker’s compensation hearing, Michael Gilbertson, a former federal government biologist who studied the health effects of toxic chemicals, and Jim Brophy, an occupational health researcher, found that they could infer a causal relationship between the woman’s diagnosis of breast cancer and her high exposure to air pollution — as a border guard at the bridge connecting Windsor, Ont. to Detroit, Mich.</p> <p>Despite the scientific evidence highlighting environmental factors and the important role they likely play in contributing to breast cancer, the woman at the bridge was denied compensation.</p> <p>She was denied even though breast cancers were occurring in this region at a rate up to 16 times higher than the rest of the county, and in an environment with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.22653">pollutants containing known breast carcinogens</a> such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.</p> <p>It is not surprising, given that environment is regularly ignored when we talk about breast cancer.</p> <p><strong>A disease of our communities</strong></p> <p>When researchers study what women know about breast cancer they find a focus on cures, detection and treatments. What’s often missing from their list is prevention, and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2010.496836">prevention is often confused with early detection</a>.</p> <p>Primary prevention means stopping cancer before it starts — not finding it and treating it early, although that too is important. Women’s knowledge of breast cancer is importantly <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.00274">connected to media and medical practitioner’s messages</a>.</p> <p>Forecasts of the future of cancer tell us that <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/cancer/canadian-cancer-statistics.html">one in two Canadians</a> will likely be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Projections show rising rates of many cancers, including breast cancer.</p> <p>Dr. Ted Schettler, who wrote <a href="https://www.healthandenvironment.org/docs/EcologyOfBreastCancer_Schettler.pdf"><em>The Ecology of Breast Cancer</em></a> argues:</p> <blockquote> <p>“breast cancer is not only a disease of abnormal cells, but also of communities we create and live in.”</p> </blockquote> <p>If we apply his argument, it means we can create conditions for fewer future breast cancers. The question then becomes how?</p> <p><strong>We cannot blame women</strong></p> <p>To start, we need to make prevention at least as much a priority as early detection, better treatments and the search for cures. We also have to take a good look at all suspected causes.</p> <p>Conversations about prevention often stir debate about what is to blame for the breast cancer rates we are seeing. But an aging population of women who make bad lifestyle choices doesn’t explain increases in breast cancers in more and younger women.</p> <p>It doesn’t explain why women who migrate from countries with lower rates of breast cancer develop the same rates within 10 years of living in their new homes. It also doesn’t explain the clusters of breast cancers in regions with high levels of air pollution containing definitive breast carcinogens.</p> <p>We need confidence in what the science is already showing us about the role of <a href="https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-017-0287-4#Sec49">environmental and workplace hazards</a> in breast cancer causation.</p> <p>Indeed, the evidence points to <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/ssi-ete101017.php">associations between numerous environmental pollutants</a> and an increased risk for breast cancer — <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17503434">including pesticides, herbicides, synthetic chemicals, endocrine disrupting chemicals and vehicle emissions</a>. <a href="https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2011/05000/Breast_Cancer_Risk_Associated_With_Residential.10.aspx">Living and working in proximity to these exposures</a>, especially during vulnerable windows of development, is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240618/">putting women</a> at <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129067">high risk</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-87">Some occupations</a>, including radiology, pharmacy, health care, hairdressing, working with plastics, manufacturing, agriculture, working as airline crew and firefighting, also <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291118758460">carry a higher risk</a>. These <a href="https://d124kohvtzl951.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/02025357/Report_Working-Women-and-Breast-Cancer_August_2015.pdf">occupational sectors employ thousands of thousands of women</a> worldwide.</p> <p>We need greater awareness and extended programmes that focus on these environmental and workplace causes. And we need to create and enforce policies and put regulations in place that prevent such exposures.</p> <p><strong>The climate change link</strong></p> <p>The women in Paul Villeneuve’s study are not unlike the female border guard. These cases are all linked to high levels of air pollution. Their stories are those of countless other women who face exposures to breast carcinogens in many Canadian urban environments and workplaces with high levels of traffic and industrial pollution.</p> <p>We also have evidence that these exposures are increasing, as our climate is changing. This link is complex, as is so much about cancer generally. Air pollution is <a href="https://www.who.int/sustainable-development/AirPollution_Climate_Health_Factsheet.pdf">one of the many causes of climate change</a> as well as <a href="https://journals.lww.com/environepidem/Fulltext/2018/09000/Residential_exposure_to_fine_particulate_matter.2.aspx">breast cancer</a>.</p> <p>It is also believed that increased ambient air temperatures may change the effects of chemical contaminants on humans and that increased precipitation and flooding will <a href="https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/etc.2046">move contaminants to places where greater exposure by humans is possible</a>.</p> <p>Finally, as the incidence of fires increase with climate change, exposures to chemicals associated with the development of breast cancer often found in fires also increase. Studies are now investigating <a href="http://womenfirefighterstudy.com/about/">possible elevated incidence of breast cancer among women firefighters</a>. They are clearly a highly exposed group and may be just one example of women bearing an elevated breast cancer risk.</p> <p><strong>Prevention a priority</strong></p> <p>At this important moment in history, as we debate the poor state of the environment and the adverse outcomes associated with it, we have the opportunity to make prevention of the many diseases — including breast cancer — a priority.</p> <p>Many stories report on the numerous health problems connected to climate change including other cancers, cardiovascular disease, fertility problems, asthma, adverse birth outcomes, disabilities, diabetes and stroke. And yet, despite increasing evidence of an association between breast cancer and environmental exposures, the media does not cover this piece of the story.</p> <p>We must do the work now to create a future where we won’t have to surrender our good health to unregulated exposure to known and suspected breast carcinogens. Instead we must <a href="https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/ADVISORY/pcp/annualReports/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf">implement the precautionary principle</a> — in our communities, our workplaces and across our planet.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/108420/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-e-mcarthur-613732">Jane E. McArthur</a>, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-windsor-3044">University of Windsor</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-the-oceans-rise-so-do-your-risks-of-breast-cancer-108420">original article</a>.</em></p>

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