First Rural 'living Well Beyond Breast Cancer' Forum - Geelong

Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer - Geelong Forum

The first in a series of special events supporting women in rural and regional
areas diagnosed with breast cancer

One third of women diagnosed with breast cancer live outside major cities and face additional challenges associated with travelling long distances for treatment and limited contact with specialist health professionals.

In the first of a series of federally funded forums, more than 200 breast cancer
survivors from the Barwon South West region will gather in Geelong on Monday November 23, to hear the latest information and advice for living well beyond breast cancer.

Clinical and psychosocial experts will present to the women on the latest advances in breast cancer treatment and care. Olympian and breast cancer survivor Raelene Boyle will share her personal story with fellow survivors including her experience in overcoming depression as a part of her cancer experience.

This is a unique opportunity for rural and regional women affected by breast cancer to hear from experts and to connect with other women facing similar challenges. The forum, organised by Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), has been made possible through the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer special funding announced by the Minister for Rural and Regional Health, The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, at the recent BCNA National Summit in August.

Expert bra fitters will be on site in the Berlei Bus to provide free bra fittings, with $5 from every bra sold being donated in to support the work of Breast Cancer Network Australia.


What: Living well beyond breast cancer
BCNA Geelong Forum

When: 10am 2.15pm Monday, November 23, 2009.

Where: Geelong Conference Centre Auditorium
Adams Court, Eastern Park, East Geelong

Speakers: Raelene Boyle AM, MBE Olympian & breast cancer survivor
Associate Professor Richard Bell Oncologist
Maggie Stowers Barwon South Western Region Integrated Cancer
Service
Dr Stephanie Dowrick Author & Breast Cancer Survivor

Media: 12.30midday 1pm

Interview opportunity
- Raelene Boyle, AM, MBE
- Lyn Swinburne, AM, CEO, BCNA

Photo opportunity
- Raelene with breast cancer survivors
- Berlei Bus free expert bra fittings


How to register for the Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer Forum

Women diagnosed with breast cancer in Geelong and surrounding areas are
invited to register for this important forum at www.bcna.org.au,
or Freecall 1 800 500 258.

Mini- Field of Women

A Mini-Field of Women will be displayed as part of the Forum to pay tribute to those Australians affected by breast cancer and to demonstrate community support for women and their families.

Raelene Boyle Her personal story about overcoming depression.

More than 50% of breast cancer survivors report they have been affected by depression or anxiety after their breast cancer diagnosis. Olympic legend, breast cancer survivor and BCNA Ambassador, Raelene Boyle AM, MBE, will speak about her personal experience with depression at the free forum at Geelong.

Speaking ahead the Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer Forum being organised by Breast Cancer Network Australia, Raelene Boyle said, "After my breast cancer diagnosis, I went into deep depression."

"The hard part about depression is that you just don't know how to get out of it. After diagnosis and treatment, I started to think about what causes me to be depressed. With the help of others I was able to work out my triggers and some were as simple as not exercising. I hope that my story can help many of the women who may be struggling with their own breast cancer diagnosis."

"I don't confront the dark days too often now. I no longer take medication and know my triggers. It's something I will always live with but after receiving help it's now completely manageable." Boyle said.

About Raelene Boyle, AM, MBE

* Raelene competed at an international athletics level for 15 years. She was the first Track & Field athlete to be selected to represent Australia at four Olympic Games.

* Raelene won 3 Olympic Silver Medals, 7 Commonwealth Gold Medals and 2 Commonwealth Silver Medals. She was awarded an MBE in 1974 and a Medal in the Order of Australia (AM) in 2007.

* She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1998 and, in the same year, was recognised by the National Trust as one of 100 Living National Treasures.

* Raelene was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and ovarian cancer in 2000 and 2001. She has been a Board Member of Breast Cancer Network Australia since 1999.

* Raelene works tirelessly to raise community awareness about breast cancer and is a very active Board Member of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

* Raelene lives on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.




KEY POINT SNAPSHOT

* The `Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer' Forum is the first of 15 special forums funded under the Federal Government Program Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The forums, which will be held around Australia up to mid 2011, are being organised by Breast Cancer Network Australia.

* Olympian and breast cancer survivor, Raelene Boyle, and Internationally recognised local oncologist, Associate Professor Richard Bell, are among the speakers

* Clinical and psychosocial experts will present to the women on the latest advances in breast cancer treatment and care. Olympian and breast cancer survivor Raelene Boyle will share her personal story with fellow survivors including her experience in overcoming depression as a part of her cancer experience.

* Members from one of BCNA's newest member groups, the Colac Breast Cancer Support Group will participate in the forum.

* Expert bra fitters will be on site in the Berlei Bus to provide free bra fittings, with $5 from every bra sold being donated in to support the work of Breast Cancer Network Australia.

*A Mini-Field of Women will also be on display paying tribute to women affected by breast cancer.

About Breast Cancer Network Australia

BCNA is the peak national organisation providing a voice for Australians affected by breast cancer. With over 240 member groups and 39,000 individual members BCNA empowers, informs, represents and links together people whose lives are affected by breast cancer. See www.bcna.org.au for more details.

Every day 36 women in Australia will be told they have breast cancer and 7 will lose their lives to this disease


Media Enquiries:
Julie Reilly
03 9805 2572 or
0417 545 986


SOURCE: Breast Cancer Network Australia