Myths about breast cancer

Here's a news story from the Sydney Morning Herald on the 23rd October 2008 about the common myths regarding breast cancer.

HER2 Study update

What's been called our "HER2" study, this week Upali Jayasinghe, the BCI's consultant statistician, Kellie Bilinski, the study's project manager and Greg Heard, Research Manager at the BCI have been updating a submission to the National Cancer Institute (USA) which will examine a cohort of women with node-negative breast cancer treated between 1979 and 1994 at Westmead Hospital without chemotherapy or hormone therapy. This is a very important study, which will look at modern assays such as HER2, Ki-67 and also Vit-D receptors in over 260 archival parafin blocks. The study has been funded by the "Care for Her" Fund of which Steve and Karen Vamos are the patrons.

Trisha Goddard update

Former Play School host and current queen of British daytime chat shows Trisha Goddard announced she's been diagnosed with breast cancer in April this year.


The 50-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with the disease after a routine screening mammogram.

In an article from "The Press Association" picked up by Google News on this blog, Trisha talks about how she is coping with chemotherapy.

Read the article here

Farewell to Jane McGrath

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

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.

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.