Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating, not only for the patient but also for their loved ones. It’s very normal for the person diagnosed to feel shock, disbelief, helplessness and fear and often their partners have similar feelings.

The good news is that today, most people survive breast cancer. In fact, of all the people diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, 90% are alive five years later. The majority of people recover, and their breast cancer does not return.

Notwithstanding, the impact of a diagnosis on a family is immense and the burden is felt by a patient’s entire family and social unit. Family members typically find themselves adopting unfamiliar roles.

Not only that, research has shown that a breast cancer diagnosis can negatively affect a partner’s psychological well-being, career and relationship with both their spouse and children. The partner is often thrown into the unfamiliar role of caregiver which can lead not only to emotional suffering but also lost economic and social activities which can place further strain on the family unit.

Having said that, many partners of breast cancer patients find caring to be tremendously rewarding and satisfying leading to improved relationships with their partner, family and friends. Studies have shown that the negative aspects of caregiving are reduced, and the positive aspects enhanced when there’s emotional support for the caregiver.

Despite the significant role that the partner plays, there is currently an underappreciation of the importance of providing support to partners of patients with breast cancer. BCRC-WA has been working on ways to fill this gap to optimise the holistic care provided to advanced breast cancer patients and to also provide much needed support to partners.

To this end, with the assistance of some partners of patients, we formed a steering group in 2018 to develop a program for partners of patients. With so much talk in the community surrounding mental health and particularly men’s mental health, our timing felt right. A planning session was held in November last year and was attended by a group of partners of patients to plan the initial phases and develop the group.

The steering group considered the key areas spouses and partners felt would be most helpful for them to know more about and how BCRC-WA can help partners to better support the patients in their lives going through cancer. They also discussed what format the group should take.

One way to assist partners is the facilitation of partner/carer specific networks, whereby partners of patients will be able to meet and receive support from other partners, either one on one (in effect a ‘buddy’ system) or in a group setting. The simple act of getting together in a non-threatening, enjoyable, social environment with people going through a similar experience can help to alleviate feelings of isolation and fear and provide understanding and hope.

BCRC-WA’s primary objective is to increase survival rates and cure rates through our research and treatment. However, ensuring patients and their families receive appropriate care and support along the way, is also important. It’s these additional support initiatives and services that can make a significant difference.

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If you are a partner of a patient with metastatic breast cancer you may feel frustrated and helpless over not being able to ‘fix’ your partner’s breast cancer. If you feel this way, the following things may help:

• If your partner agrees, go to medical appointments with them. Write a list of questions you might want to ask before you go and take notes when you are there. They can be useful to refer to later
• Consider reading more evidenced based information about breast cancer with your partner
• Ask your partner what you can do to help
• Take on more rolls around the house such as cleaning, taking care of children or sorting out finances
• Ask your family and friends for help. You might need to tell them exactly what you need, such as ‘a hand with the kids while I go grocery shopping’, or ‘help with the ironing once a fortnight’
• Talk with your boss about flexible working arrangements
• Contact BCRC-WA at info@bcrc-wa.com or on 6500 5501

To link to this article in Business News, click HERE

Thought Leadership article #5, published in Business News online,  February 2019.
By Carmelo Arto

David ‘Macca’ McCarthy will be taking part in this year’s Rottnest Channel Swim and, as a way of giving back, Macca and his wife, Chelsea, have launched an Everydayhero fundraising campaign with all proceeds being donated to BCRC-WA.

No matter how much is raised, each and every dollar will help BCRC-WA continue to support and care for patients with breast cancer.

In David’s words …
“The Breast Cancer Research Centre have provided amazing support to Chels & I this year and we would love it if you could help them to continue their great work.

I’m inspired by the work of Breast Cancer Research Centre-WA and want to support them by raising money as part of my participation in Rottnest Channel Swim 2019.

Please help me help them by giving whatever you can using the ‘Give Now’ button on my page at Everydayhero.

The more people that know about Breast Cancer Research Centre-WA, the greater their impact … Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!”

So far, the McCarthy’s have been blown away by the donation tally but they’d like to raise more. To get behind Macca’s swim, please click HERE.

Breast Cancer Research Centre-WA (BCRC-WA) will open a world class integrated breast cancer treatment, research and patient support service centre in Perth in 2020 which will further consolidate our reputation as a global leader in breast cancer advancements and help us save lives.

The new centre will not only be an exciting development for our organisation but also for our state as it will be the first of its kind in Western Australia.

Established in 2009, BCRC-WA has become renowned nationally and internationally for our breakthrough research which consists of various trials that help us discover new and better breast cancer treatments and care. We are the busiest trials unit in Australia, at times undertaking more than 30 different research projects concurrently.

BCRC-WA is a not-for-profit organisation which was founded by Order of Australia Member Professor Arlene Chan. It is a clinician-driven practice, specialising in providing high-quality breast cancer treatment and cutting-edge research.

BCRC-WA has conducted more than 90 breast cancer trials involving more than 1200 patients since we opened, resulting in a 50 per cent increase in the survival rate for more than 168 patients.

The new centre, to be located at Hollywood Private Hospital, will be an integrated facility whereby patients will be able to access a range of support services while undergoing treatment. It will take the work of BCRC-WA to another level by giving breast cancer patients improved service delivery and accessibility.

“There is currently no facility offering this degree of advanced integrated care to breast cancer patients in WA or indeed Australia where they can receive both medical treatment and the ongoing support services required,” Professor Chan said.

“Our vision is that the new centre will meet most patients’ requirements, from the essential cancer diagnosis and treatment, to the broad range of support services they might need to tap into, from physiotherapists, to psychologists, financial counsellors and social workers.”

“The approach will be to place each patient with a care coordinator, who will help manage their treatment journey, linking each with their individually required support services. This will allow the patient to concentrate on the treatment process and maintain good health.”

BCRC-WA CEO Carmelo Arto said the new world class centre will cost more than $10 million.

“Exciting opportunities exist for potential donors, corporate sponsors and sporting partners to engage with the centre from inception,” Mr Arto added.

“Foundation donors of this groundbreaking new venture will benefit from gaining recognition throughout the development of this process and beyond.”

BCRC-WA is proudly a not-for-profit and a DGR1 charitable organisation (Licence CC 21750). It does not receive any government funding and the generosity of donors allows us to continue our important work which is changing the lives of breast cancer patients and their families.

For more information, visit www.bcrc-wa.com.au

HELP US RESHAPE THE FUTURE OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

BCRC-WA provides world-class breast cancer treatment based on our groundbreaking research and clinical trials, some of which have enhanced breast cancer treatment worldwide and increased survival rates and cure rates. As we enter our next exciting phase, opportunities exist to secure corporate and sporting partnerships with our unique new breast cancer centre due to open in 2020.

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

• BCRC-WA is self-funded. We do not receive government funding
• All donations go fully to patient research, treatment and services
• At least 13 of our research projects have contributed to enhancing breast cancer treatment worldwide and increasing survival rates
• Many patients with advanced breast cancer have survived their illness for years and a small number have even been cured due to results derived from our clinical trials
• In 2020, we will move into our fully integrated breast cancer centre where patient research, treatment and support services will be available in one central location, lessening stress for patients and their families and leading to better overall outcomes

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To link to this article in Business News, click HERE

Thought Leadership article #4, published in Business News online, 17 January 2019.
By Carmelo Arto

BCRC-WA is pleased to have entered into a two year sponsorship with Perth Netball Association (PNA) located at Matthews’ Netball Centre, Western Australia’s premier netball entity.

A sign featuring BCRC-WA’s new logo is now on display near the main traffic area and our logo appears on the PNA website.

As a sponsor, we are provided with a unique opportunity to promote BCRC-WA to a largely female audience of varying ages.

Each year, PNA hosts two competitive netball seasons – the Winter competition from April to September and the Spring competition from October to November. 650 teams from over 70 clubs registered for the 2018 Winter competition. This sees approximately 10,000 people, including over 6,500 players and volunteers, walk through the gates of Matthews every Friday and Saturday. In addition, over 200 teams compete in the 2017 Spring competition held on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Most PNA players are school-age, however the competitions and programs cater for all age groups from pre-primary to seniors. Apart from the players, a significant proportion of families and friends go to Matthews to support players.

BCRC-WA looks forward to supporting PNA in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.