What's new in February, with links to support, information and other items of interest.
- February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- New funding to improve metastatic cancer data collection
- Cancer Council Victoria LGBTQI+ resource update
- Free VCCC Alliance webinar: Common sense oncology – Outcomes that matter
- Consumers invited to have their say on genomic testing
- Selsus health professional webinars
- Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Resources for *Women Over 50
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Every February, Counterpart joins others in acknowledging Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. We support the important work others are doing to educate women about ovarian cancer. We also use this time to talk about the support and information available to women living with ovarian cancer. Visit our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month post for details.
New funding to improve metastatic cancer data collection
Following advocacy from Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), a new cancer data alliance will be established to improve routine collection of cancer stage and recurrence data.
This advocacy was initiated by BCNA after hearing their consumer representatives with metastatic breast cancer feel invisible due to inconsistent data collection across Australia.
Better data systems means researchers and policy makers will be able to understand how many individuals are living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia for the first time. This will support better care for individuals with this diagnosis, and will provide a way forward for other metastatic cancers.
Read the media release on the BCNA website.
Cancer Council Victoria LGBTQI+ resources updated
Discrimination and past negative experiences are common reasons why a cancer diagnosis may be challenging for LGBTQI+ people – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other diverse sexualities and genders, as well as people with intersex variations.
The Cancer Council Victoria LGBTQI+ webpage provides information on a range of topics, including talking to healthcare providers, cancer in trans and/or gender diverse people, and cancer in intersex people. You can also download or order a free 84-page LGBTQI+ People and Cancer booklet.
Visit LGBTQI+ people and cancer on the Cancer Council Victoria website.
Free VCCC Alliance webinar: Common sense oncology – outcomes that matter
Common sense oncology aims to prioritise patients’ needs, advocates for treatments that improve survival and quality-of-life, promotes informed decision making, and ensures these treatments are accessible to all patients. This webinar discusses the need to recalibrate cancer care and research.
View all details and register on the VCCC Alliance website.
Consumers invited to have their say on genomic testing
The VCCC Alliance is gathering responses via a survey about accessing tumour genetic profiling from people who have received cancer treatment in Victoria. Genomics studies DNA errors causing cancer and its response to treatments. Tumor tests involve biopsies to analyse DNA, guiding treatment plans. This differs from genetic tests assessing inherited cancer risks. Genomic testing personalizes cancer care by targeting individual tumor characteristics.
Take the screening survey to see if you are eligible to take part in this study.
Selsus health professional webinars
Cancer care 101, 12.30pm-2.30pm, Friday March 15
Some of the key highlights: pathophysiology, common cancer treatments, trends, and evidence-based practices in cancer care from a health professional perspective and side effects. Visit Try booking for full details.
Managing cancer related fatigue, 3.00pm-5.00pm, Friday March 15. Some of the key highlights: understanding cancer-related fatigue, evidence-based interventions, and patient centred care. Visit Try booking for full details.
Webinar: Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Resources for *Women Over 50
Women’s Health Victoria is pleased to invite you to our upcoming webinar "Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Resources for *Women Over 50", which will cover the importance of diversity and inclusion when developing resources that focus on women over 50.
Sharing our insights and reflections on the first six month of our initiative In My Prime, this insightful and interactive session will be held on Zoom and led by facilitator, writer, podcaster, researcher, and consultant Ruth De Souza.
The webinar will feature a panel of women sharing their professional and lived experiences from organisations including Transgender Victoria, Women with Disabilities Victoria, Monash University and Multicultural Centre for Women's Health.
Learn while you lunch and be a part of the conversation to support older women’s health.
Register to attend Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Resources for *Women Over 50
