Minister for Health David Davis and Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge take part in BreaCan’s 10th Anniversary celebrations

Minister for Health David Davis launched a new initiative to help women with breast cancer, as part of BreaCan’s 10th Anniversary celebrations.

Minister Davis, who was joined at the launch by Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Georgie Crozier said the BreaCan Information Navigator app and website was a great new resource for women diagnosed with early breast cancer.

“Ensuring women have access to current, up-to-date and reliable information is very important,” Mr Davis said.

“And, with more and more people accessing information about their health online, we need to make sure that women have access to this information when and where they need it.

“The BreaCan Navigator is that conduit – an accessible, on-line tool to find relevant information on a range of support and other services for women with cancer.

“This tool, which was developed as part of a cancer survivorship project in partnership with the Royal Melbourne and Women’s Hospitals and Western Health, will facilitate access to a range of existing information on a range of topics.

“Importantly, the topics were chosen and prioritised by women.

“The navigator takes the uncertainty and strain out of searching the internet for quality information.”

BreaCan Manager Lee Kennedy said the navigator was a great, practical example of how to support women living with breast cancer through their cancer journey.

As part of the day’s celebrations, Minister Wooldridge accepted BreaCan’s 10th Anniversary Quilt.

“I am so pleased to be able to accept such a stunning quilt that not only looks beautiful but represents such a significant cause that means so much to so many,” Ms Wooldridge said.

BreaCan peer support volunteers, Chris Struck and Nikki Davis, women with a personal experience of cancer, have overseen the Quilt project, collecting and putting together almost 100 squares.

Women from all over Victoria, living with breast or a gynaecological cancer and supported by BreaCan contributed to the Quilt.

“This has been a true labour of love” said Chris, “the quilt powerfully shows how women feel about BreaCan and its role in their personal cancer journey.”

Nikki Davis said: “we were overwhelmed by donations, first of fabric and then of squares. Many came with heart felt stories of loss, or joyful stories of survival. The quilt has grown and grown as the squares came pouring in.”

BreaCan provides support through its unique peer support program, volunteers speak face-to-face or via phone with women who are newly diagnosed with cancer or needing support beyond treatment.

The BreaCan Navigator can be accessed online, or downloaded as an iPad or iPhone app or an Andriod app.