NBOCC News - October 2009

In this issue...

Latest Australian breast cancer statistics released

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have released Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009.

The report provides a comprehensive picture of national statistics on breast cancer covering the past 25 years to 2006 - the most up-to-date national data available. The report not only builds on previous monitoring reports but additionally provides data about the burden of disease due to breast cancer, and survival by Indigenous status.

Quality national data is essential to inform future planning for services and patient needs. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009 (1.1mb pdf) provides valuable information on the patterns of the disease, and the public health and health services impact of breast cancer. It identifies areas of significant gain over time and provides predictions for the future. Importantly, the report identifies differences in outcomes and where targeted strategies may be required.

The report was launched at NBOCC's annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Sydney.

Men find support in breast cancer audio resource

NBOCC has launched a free audio resource to help men to deal with the emotional and practical challenges of supporting a woman with early breast cancer.

The audio resource was launched at NBOCC's inaugural Pink Ribbon Lunch in Melbourne by Ms Thérèse Rein. Narrated by actor and author William McInnes, the resource features personal stories, insight and wisdom from women diagnosed with breast cancer and the men who supported them, as well as advice and practical tips on navigating the breast cancer journey from leading clinical experts.

The resource, When the woman you love has early breast cancer, can be downloaded online or ordered by phoning 1800 624 973.

NBOCC launches redeveloped website

Australia's leading source of online evidence-based information on breast and ovarian cancer is now bigger and better than ever before.

Launched at NBOCC's Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Sydney, NBOCC's website, www.nbocc.org.au, has undergone a major redevelopment to incorporate more intuitive navigation, improved search functionality, a fresh look and additional content providing the most up-to-date information available.

The Macquarie Group Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Macquarie Group and long-term supporter of NBOCC - has generously supported the redevelopment of NBOCC's world-class cancer website.

The website contains over 600 pages of content in web friendly format for ease of readability and includes a new multimedia gallery of images, podcasts and audio files. A significant extension of information on secondary breast cancer and ovarian cancer, added to popular sections including the breast cancer risk calculator, breast cancer in men mini-site and NBOCC's resource library, enhances the user experience.

Additionally, the Health Professionals section of NBOCC's website contains comprehensive clinical information at the click of a mouse, including statistics, clinical practice guidelines, research updates and educational resources.

Visit www.nbocc.org.au today for Australia's most comprehensive one-stop shop for evidence-based information on breast and ovarian cancer.

New online assessment tool for breast diagnostic services

NBOCC has developed an online tool to assist breast diagnostic services to self-assess their practices against the NBOCC Standard of care for breast diagnostic services.

All facilities offering the triple test to investigate a new breast symptom as part of the one episode of service are invited to participate in this quality improvement activity.

Services who complete the online tool will receive a summary report of their results, which can be incorporated into an existing risk management framework to support ongoing quality improvement.

The Standard of care for breast diagnostic services was developed by NBOCC to promote quality assurance and service improvement.

There are five core components of the Standard of care for breast diagnostic services:

Continuity of care
Clinical staff with appropriate training
Supportive delivery of service
Informed patient consent and communication
Safety and quality care

Encourage your breast cancer diagnostic services to assess themselves online. For more information, click here.

For further information about NBOCC's Standard of care for breast diagnostic services or the online tool, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Ph. 02 9357 9409).

Australian experts agree: no evidence to support ovarian cancer screening

NBOCC bought together key experts, Government, cancer organisations and consumers to review the evidence and agree a position statement on ovarian cancer screening.

The NBOCC position statement, published in the October edition of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, found there is no evidence to support the use of any test, or combination of tests currently available, to screen women for ovarian cancer on an individual basis or through a population-based screening approach.

To assist health professionals in discussing the issue of ovarian cancer screening with their patients, NBOCC has developed a set of frequently asked questions.

NBOCC's position statement has been endorsed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian Society of Gynaecological Oncologists, Cancer Council Australia and the Screening Subcommittee of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

New online training module for GPs - 'Managing breast symptoms'

A new online learning program is now available to support general practitioners in the early detection of breast cancer.

Developed by NBOCC in collaboration with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the learning module provides guidance in the investigation and management of women who present with a breast symptom.

GPs fulfil a critical role in providing optimal care to women presenting with a new breast symptom. Managing Breast Symptoms is designed for general practitioners, women's health practitioners, breast physicians and practice nurses. The module provides a foundation for developing these essential skills in breast medicine and is designed to offer accessible, flexible and interactive education for the primary care team.

The online learning module also provides information on follow-up care for women diagnosed with breast cancer, including psychosocial care.

Managing Breast Symptoms is available free to RACGP members at www.gplearning.com.au. Those who are not RACGP members need to have a gplearning subscription to participate.

Recent Research: New resource for health professionals

NBOCC has launched a new service for health professionals, Recent Research, to highlight the latest breast and ovarian cancer research of interest or potential significance.

Available on NBOCC's website, the service provides a link to relevant abstracts in peer-reviewed publications for busy health professionals who may not have time to review numerous articles themselves.

Please note, NBOCC does not necessarily endorse the views or conclusions of any papers listed in Recent Research.

Click here to view Recent Research.

Staff news

NBOCC is pleased to announce that following a recruitment and selection process, Ms Trenna Rowe has been appointed to the position of Senior Project Officer.

NBOCC also welcomes Ms Kevin Comlossy and Ms Hannah Nancarrow as Senior Project Officers on the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer program.

Cancer Australia