Jane McGrath's death from breast cancer highlighted the fact that people from all walks of life can be struck down from this dreaded disease. Jane was one of the seven women in Australia who die from breast cancer every single day. Jane has left a lasting legacy to support women with breast cancer through her rural breast care nurses' scholarships and supporters have rallied to contribute even further to help her cause.
Find out more about the foundation's work at http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/
Women across the country have flooded the national breast screening line - phone 13 20 50 - no doubt, boosting this week's booking stats.
Last week Elisabeth (Liz) Black, our clinical services manager, finalised our own breast care nurse mentoring report to the Commonwealth. It was great to see that we have brought in more than 50 nurses (mainly from rural areas) to give them a one-week intensive at the BCI. Thanks to the many clinicians and staff who generously gave their time to support this program. The program is coming to an end but the BCI wants to continue this program, which showcases the fabulous cancer program at Sydney West Area Health Service.
John
PS: The mouth swab test reported in the New England Journal of Medicine this week is not a substitute for screening and is at the very least 10 years away from any practical implementation. One interview I did this week is highlighted at this link:
Mouth Swab press
This is the breast cancer site of Prof John Boyages, author of Breast Cancer: Taking Control
Saturday 28 June 2008
Thursday 19 June 2008
Danes seek BCI expertise (fellowship possibility)
On Monday, 9 June, I was invted by the Danish Cancer Society to present the "BCI model of care" to a group, which included health department and medical representatives.
They were particularly concerned as their breast cancer mortality was higher in Denmark than Australia and other western countries. A particular problem in Denmark is the lack of acceptance of a national screening program and patchy uptake of multidisciplinary breast cancer care.
They were particularly concerned as their breast cancer mortality was higher in Denmark than Australia and other western countries. A particular problem in Denmark is the lack of acceptance of a national screening program and patchy uptake of multidisciplinary breast cancer care.
This followed a successful visit to Westmead Hospital whilst I was away in April this year.
Their visit to Westmead was in fact written up in the Australian newspaper and was a great credit to the delivery of cancer services in NSW and Westmead. Following discussions with Paul Harnett, one aspect I proposed was a regular cancer fellowship between Westmead and Denmark.
Their visit to Westmead was in fact written up in the Australian newspaper and was a great credit to the delivery of cancer services in NSW and Westmead. Following discussions with Paul Harnett, one aspect I proposed was a regular cancer fellowship between Westmead and Denmark.
Visit to the International Cancer Screening Network
On the 4-7th June I was invited as the Australian delegate to the Biennial Meeting of the International Screening network at the Lo-Skolen Conference Center in Helsingor, Denmark.
The first day involved a planning workshop on issues related to best-practice treatment after the detection of screen detected breast cancer.
I gave a presentation on the framework for cancer screening in Australia and associated results. I presented some of the results from the National monitoring report. The latest report can be found here:
National monitoring report
To say the least, many delegates were VERY interested in our digital roll-out strategy and thought our Myer strategy and our proposed strengthened links with treatment was very innovative. A few delegates from Italy wanted more information about our strategies.
I met with a Professor of Education, Berta Geller from the University of Vermont and we spoke about working on an analysis of the best way to provide feedback to radiologists. Berta has collected information from all over the world on this issue and presented a poster on various "visual", easy to digest options.
I also had some discussions with various delegates on the issue of annual screening - lots of research ideas but no real solutions to the "problem" of too many annual screens.
the International Screening Web site can be found at:
http://appliedresearch.cancer.gov/icsn/
The first day involved a planning workshop on issues related to best-practice treatment after the detection of screen detected breast cancer.
I gave a presentation on the framework for cancer screening in Australia and associated results. I presented some of the results from the National monitoring report. The latest report can be found here:
National monitoring report
To say the least, many delegates were VERY interested in our digital roll-out strategy and thought our Myer strategy and our proposed strengthened links with treatment was very innovative. A few delegates from Italy wanted more information about our strategies.
I met with a Professor of Education, Berta Geller from the University of Vermont and we spoke about working on an analysis of the best way to provide feedback to radiologists. Berta has collected information from all over the world on this issue and presented a poster on various "visual", easy to digest options.
I also had some discussions with various delegates on the issue of annual screening - lots of research ideas but no real solutions to the "problem" of too many annual screens.
the International Screening Web site can be found at:
http://appliedresearch.cancer.gov/icsn/
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