Breast Cancer Awareness October 2019

BREAST CANCER

breast cancer awareness

Mums go into battle for breast cancer

Statistics from the Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia tell us that in 2019 alone there will be an estimated 19,535 new cases of breast cancer detected and one in eight women will be diagnosed with this insidious disease before they reach the age of 85.

Whether you have been diagnosed yourself or know someone who has, it’s the people behind the statistics that matter; the stories of how families, friends, carers and advocates unite to fight for them to live another day. Bree Ambry, left, and Malene Sorensen are prime examples of this.

Bree explains: “Malene and I have been friends since our daughters Isabella and Phoebe were at kinder together, and breast cancer has always been a cause that I have supported. We have participated in the Mother’s Day Classic for the last three years and our girls get dressed up in bright pink and come along too. I had no idea that Malene’s mum, who fought through the disease 15 years ago and is still with us today, had been diagnosed with breast cancer before my mum was diagnosed. My mum

wasn’t so lucky. She was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer two years ago and told she only had months to live. She lost her fight early this year. We spent last Christmas in Frankston Hospital having Christmas lunch. The whole experience was devastating. Isabella was only five when Mum got sick and I found it very hard to come to terms with the fact that I was going to be motherless somewhere in between 32 and 35 years of age. It was also very difficult watching my daughter go through the

Located in Main St, Mornington, Michelle-ann Bras & Swimwear has been fitting prostheses for more than 20 years and is dedicated to providing care for you on your journey after breast surgery. The large and extensive range of breast forms, bras and swimwear as well as the staff’s extensive training in mastectomy fitting will ensure you walk out the

door feeling satisfied, confident, and comfortable.

Michelle-ann takes pride in providing caring and professional service in the privacy and comfort of the private fitting room, The Pink Room. The qualified staff understand the importance of a properly fitted bra and breast form for your total comfort after surgery. The substantial range of partial and bi-lateral breast forms in various sizes and weights ensures there is something for everyone.

whole process. Can you imagine hearing your daughter say, ‘I know Nana is going to die’?”

So, what to do? Never forget and keep supporting the cause. Bree and Malene are holding their second breast cancer fundraiser at Barmah Park Vineyard on November 9 in their quest to increase awareness. Last year they raised more than $1000 in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and this year’s funds will go to Breast Cancer Network Australia. Bree continues: “All services have been donated and every cent goes to the Cancer Network, apart from paying for the food. There’ll be a raffle, a silent auction and Fashion in the Vines, plus personal stories from women who have been touched by the disease in one way or another.”

Log on to www.twotravellingplanners.com/breast-cancerfundraising-2/ or go to Facebook for more information and to purchase a ticket in support of those who have already been diagnosed with cancer and those unfortunately to come. Bree and Malene purchase their own tickets and you should too. From woman to woman to man, breast cancer often arrives without any warning. So remember: keep checking and keep on fighting.

LIZ ROGERS

Fitting prostheses for more than 20 years

will be gifted a free additional Amoena bra. Funding for breast prostheses is available through Medicare every two years. Up to $400 per breast form is refunded to you after purchase.

New Pink Room customers will be gifted lunch at Mornington’s Biscottini Café after the purchase of their breast form. Before breast surgery, all ladies are welcomed to be fitted for a complimentary post-surgery crop top to start their journey after breast surgery.

To make an appointment with one of Michelle-ann’s friendly ladies, call the store and they will make a time that best suits you. If you are unable to make your way to the store, Michelle-ann also offers home visits throughout Melbourne for your convenience.

MICHELLE-ANN BRAS AND SWIMWEAR A: 142 Main St, Mornington T: 5975 3649 In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Michelleann is offering all ladies a gift with their purchase. All

W: www.michelleann.com.au FB: michelleann.mornington ladies who purchase an Amoena breast form, and bra,

INSTA: michelleann.mornington

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www.michelleann.com.au

michelle

at

-ann

bras & swimwear

147 Main St. Mornington 3931 (03) 5975 3649

“Caring for you on your journey after breast surgery”

Prosthesis Bras Breast Forms Swim Forms

Swimwear

During October and November, Michelle-Ann is giving a free Amoena bra with every Amoena bra and breast form purchased

At Michelle-Ann, we pride ourselves on providing caring and professional service in the privacy and comfort of our specialised fitting room, The Pink Room.

*Medicare Rebate for Breast Prothesis is $400

BREAST CANCER

Free breast screensin Mornington,Hastings

More than 1500 Victorian women aged 50-74 may have breast cancer and not know it — and 51 of them are living on the Mornington Peninsula.

Mammograms can detect breast cancer early and increase chances of survival, but BreastScreen Victoria’s CEO Vicki Pridmore says almost 280,000 women across the state have not had their recommended mammogram in the past two years. “Breast cancer is the second biggest cancer killer of Australian women, yet only half of all eligible women in the BreastScreen Victoria target age group are being screened regularly,”

Vicki said. “A breast screen can find cancer as small as a grain of rice, long before a woman or her doctor can see or feel anything.”

But there’s good news — BreastScreen Victoria’s mobile screening van is coming to Mornington and Hastings. Residents can receive a free breast screen without a doctor’s referral or Medicare card. All screens are conducted with a female radiographer and only take 10 minutes.

The van will be in the front carpark of The Bays Hospital in Vale St, Mornington, from November 4-15; and in the Woolworths carpark at 11/23 Victoria St, Hastings, from November 18-22. Call 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.org.au for more information or to book.

Over 50? Get your free screen!

BreastScreen’s famous pink van is coming back to the Peninsula

Mornington:

4–15 November, 2019 The Bays Hospital (front car park) Vale Street Mornington

Hastings:

18–22 November, 2019 Woolworths (car park) 11/23 Victoria Street Hastings

Book at breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50

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Keeping fit can ease your cancer journey

A diagnosis of cancer can be a scary and uncertain time in a person’s life, with a large amount of information to sift through and many adjustments to make to your life in a short period of time. Keeping yourself as fit and healthy as possible throughout your cancer journey is essential. With experts now singing the praises of exercise as a way to minimise cancerrelated fatigue and decrease other harsh side-effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, it’s time to get moving!

The Oncology (Cancer) Rehabilitation Program at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital is designed for people living in the community who

want to improve their fitness and general well-being in a safe and supportive environment. The six-week program includes twice-weekly exercise sessions catered to the needs of each individual, conducted under the supervision of an experienced Exercise Physiologist.

We team these exercise sessions with weekly information sessions which include topics such as Symptom Management, Nutrition, Managing Stress and Fatigue, and we ensure participants are given the opportunity to engage and ask questions during these sessions. Joining a set program which runs twice a week can be just the motivation people need to help build confidence and to establish healthy lifestyle changes. These can then be applied to daily life once the program is

finished. The program also provides a great social experience for people going through similar situations.

St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital provides a similar five-week program which is run at St John of God Berwick. For further information regarding either program, please contact us on 03 9788 3333. To access our rehabilitation services, a referral from your GP or specialist is required.

ST JOHN OF GOD FRANKSTON REHABILITATION HOSPITAL A: 255-265 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston T: 03 9788 3333 W: www.sjog.org.au/Frankston

BREAST CANCER

Cancer fatigue?

Our Cancer Rehabilitation team can assist you

Specialist Inpatient & Outpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Programs

Our team of Rehabilitation Specialists will work with you to create an individualised program to help you get back to doing what you love.

T: (03) 9788 3333 E: info.frankstonrehab@sjog.org.au W: sjog.org.au/frankston

255-265 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston

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