Booklets and Factsheets

BCNA produces a range of free booklets and fact sheets for those with breast cancer, and their families. These are listed below. 

Booklets

• Breast cancer and sexual wellbeing (2019)
  Breast cancer and its treatment can affect sexual wellbeing in many different ways. This booklet outlines practical strategies to help address issues such as the loss of desire, the physical symptoms of menopause including vaginal dryness, building and rebuilding emotional and physical intimacy with a partner, talking to a health professional about sexual wellbeing concerns, and finding additional information and support.

• DCIS (2019)
  Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the name for abnormal changes in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast. While the abnormal cells may look similar to cancer cells, they are precancerous cells that are contained within the ducts (in situ) and have not spread into surrounding breast tissue or to other parts of the body.
  
  This DCIS booklet is designed to give you information in a way that is easy for you to understand and use as you go through your DCIS treatment.

• Early Breast Cancer - Arabic (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in Arabic.
• Early Breast Cancer - Chinese, Traditional (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in Traditional Chinese.
• Early Breast Cancer - Greek (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in Greek.
• Early Breast Cancer - Italian (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in Italian.
• Early Breast Cancer - Plain English (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in plain, easy to understand English.
•  Early Breast Cancer - Vietnamese (2019)
  This booklet explains everything you need to know about breast cancer, types of treatment, and what support is available in Vietnamese.

• Exercise and Breast Cancer (2019)
  Research shows that staying active during and after treatment for breast cancer provides many benefits, including reducing the risk of breast cancer coming back, and improved physical and emotional wellbeing. This booklet has been designed to help you continue with a regular exercise program if you have one already, or get started if you don’t. The content covers the benefits of exercise, recommended exercise targets, practical tips to help you stay motivated, and an exercise diary where you can keep track of your achievements. Exercise programs that may be available locally are also included. If you’re struggling to get started with exercise during or after treatment, this booklet might help.

• Fertility-related choices: A decision aid for younger women (2019)
  This booklet is for young women who have been recently diagnosed with early breast cancer. It includes information about the ways breast cancer treatment may affect fertility, the fertility options that can be considered and guidance with decision-making through a workbook-based process. This booklet may be helpful if you are still of reproductive age (having regular periods and no menopausal symptoms), and are thinking of starting a family or having more children in the future.

• Helping a friend or colleague with breast cancer (2019)
  Friends can be a wonderful source of emotional and practical support following a breast cancer diagnosis, but sometimes people are unsure of the best way to help. In this booklet, women who have had breast cancer share what they have found helpful and unhelpful, and the practical things that can help. There is also a section particularly for the workplace that provides some helpful suggestions for managers and workplace colleagues.

• Healthy eating and breast cancer (2019)
  

  Maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult at the best of times, but it can be especially challenging if you are having treatment for breast cancer and not feeling well. Developed in consultation with dieticians and other health professionals, this booklet is designed to help you maintain a healthy diet, both during and after treatment. It includes information on the types of foods you should include in your diet, tips to help you eat well when you're not feeling well, and a food diary to help you keep track of what you are eating.

  Our Healthy eating and breast cancer booklet has also been translated into Traditional Chinese.

• Hormone receptor positive breast cancer (2023)
  Hormone therapies are drugs are used to treat breast cancers that are hormone receptor positive. If you are currently taking hormone therapy (e.g. tamoxifen, anastrozole, letrozole or exemestane) as part of your breast cancer treatment, this printable page from My Journey will provide information on how these drugs work and why they are beneficial. It also discusses the possible side effects that some women experience and provides practical advice and tips on how to manage them.

• Hormone-blocking treatment for hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer (2023)
  

  Hormone receptor (HR) positive metastatic breast cancer have what are called oestrogen (ER) and/or progesterone (PR) receptors on the surface of the cells. Hormones, particularly oestrogen, can encourage the growth of metastatic breast cancer that tests positive for hormone receptors.

  In most cases, treatment for HR positive metastatic breast cancer will start with hormone-blocking therapy, given in the form of oral tablets. The aim of hormone-blocking therapies is to block the effect of oestrogen on breast cancer cells.

• I wish I could fix it: Supporting a partner through breast cancer  (2019)
  This booklet aims to help partners of people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 12 months. The booklet includes information on breast cancer and its treatments, how partners can provide support, and practical tips to deal with some of the common challenges that they may face. The booklet also includes information resources and counselling services available to partners.

• Medikidz: explaining breast cancer through comic adventures (8-12 years) - video (2019)
  

  Bill’s mum is going back to work, but Bill is worried about her breast cancer coming back. The Medikidz come to the rescue to help Bill better understand his mum’s condition by taking him on an adventure through Mediland.

  Bill’s mum is just one of millions of people who are living with medical conditions that they find hard to explain to children. The MEDIKIDZ explain breast cancer comic helps both children and parents understand a difficult topic in an engaging way. The comic content has been reviewed by breast cancer specialists.

  To receive a printed copy of this comic, please contact BCNA's Helpline on on 1800 500 258 between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm AEST Monday to Friday.

• Men get breast cancer too (2019)
  This booklet is for men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It provides information about the disease, treatments, and some of the common challenges men experience after a breast cancer diagnosis. It also lists resources and counselling services available for men diagnosed with breast cancer.

• Menopause and breast cancer (2019) 
  This booklet is for women who are experiencing menopause and/or menopausal symptoms as a result of their breast cancer treatment. It explains why some treatments, including chemotherapy and hormone therapy, may cause menopause or mimic menopausal symptoms. It also includes practical advice, tips for managing symptoms and where to get additional information.

• Metastatic breast cancer: an introduction? (2024)
  Most people feel devastated when they are told they have metastatic breast cancer. Many will have lived through the trauma of being diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer and may have believed they were cured. For others a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer might be the first time they have experienced breast cancer. This booklet has been developed for people who have recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to provide the key facts about metastatic breast cancer and hope, as the condition is very treatable, with many people living for years with their cancer under control. 

• Metastatic breast cancer: Planning ahead (2018)
  This booklet is for people who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and is designed to be read in conjunction with the Hope & Hurdles Information Guide. This booklet is designed to help answer questions that can be difficult to think about. Planning ahead can help you to think about, and discuss with others, your values, experiences and preferences. It can also provide a sense of relief when it is done, as you can then focus on living life fully.

• When someone close to you has metastatic breast cancer (2018)
  Supporting someone with metastatic breast cancer can be one of the most challenging times of your life. Knowing what to do, what to say and how to provide good support can be confusing and confronting. This booklet will provide useful tips and information to help you support or care for someone with metastatic breast cancer, guide you through some common concerns and feelings that you might experience when supporting or caring for someone with metastatic breast cancer, and outline helpful sources of practical, financial and emotional support.

• Understanding metastatic breast cancer: a comic book for children 8-12 years old (2019)
  

  Understanding metastatic breast cancer is a comic for children aged 8-12 years of age. In it, the Medikidz superhero characters take two children on an adventure through the human body to learn about what happens after a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. 

  The Medikidz comic ‘Metastatic breast cancer’ (2018) can be viewed as a video.

  To receive a printed copy of this comic, please contact BCNA's Helpline on on 1800 500 258 between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm AEST Monday to Friday.

Factsheets

• Anxiety, depression and breast cancer
  Stress, anxiety, sadness and anger are common feelings following a breast cancer diagnosis. However, if these feelings are intense or continue for a long time, or if you’re struggling to function from day to day, you may be experiencing anxiety or depression. This fact sheet, developed by BCNA and beyondblue, explains the links between anxiety, depression and breast cancer, the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, current treatments and how to help yourself or someone close to you.

• Bone health and breast cancer
  Some breast cancer treatments can affect your bone health, particularly the aromatase inhibitor group of hormone therapy drugs. This fact sheet explains the impact breast cancer treatments can have on bone health and provides some tips to help you maintain or improve your bone health during and after your treatment.

• Breast cancer pathology
  We know pathology reports can be confusing, and that sometimes doctors don't discuss their content. You may not have seen your pathology report or had a chance to ask questions about it. This fact sheet, produced in partnership with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), provides information on what is included in a pathology report, what the terminology means, and how you can obtain a copy of your report, even years after your treatment has finished. You can also download the glossary of pathology terms, which will help you understand the terminology in your report.

• Caring for someone with early breast cancer: what to expect and how to help
  Many Australians diagnosed with breast cancer will have carers in their lives. Carers can be a spouse or partner, a parent, daughters or sons, sisters or brothers, friends, colleagues, or neighbours. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a carer, your role in helping someone with breast cancer is significant, valuable and important. This fact sheet will:

• provide useful tips and information to help you support and care for someone with breast cancer
• guide you through some of the common concerns and feelings that you might experience when becoming a carer for someone with breast cancer.

• Clinical trials
  Clinical trials are research studies that involve patients to help find better treatments. In breast cancer, there are clinical trials for a range of treatments (including prevention). The clinical trials fact sheet looks at why we need clinical trials, who runs them, how patients are protected and how you can get involved.

Easy English combines text and images to convey information clearly. Easy English resources are suitable for those who may have reading difficulties. 

• Easy English: Feeling sad or worried
• Easy English: Life after breast cancer
• Easy English: Keep breast cancer away
• Easy English: Lymphoedema
• Easy English: Sleepless nights, breast cancer and sleep

• Family history
  Only 5% to 10% of breast cancers occur in women whose families have a genetic fault. Most breast cancers have nothing to do with family history. The family history fact sheet explains when family history may be important in breast cancer risk and the options available if you have concerns about a strong family history.

• Fear of cancer recurrence
  Many people who have had breast cancer worry that their cancer may one day come back (recur). This is a very normal response to a cancer diagnosis. It is called fear of cancer recurrence: the fear or worry that cancer could come back or progress. This fact sheet provides information on fear of cancer recurrence for people who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer; their partners, families, friends, and colleagues; and others who support people with early breast cancer.

• Financial tracker
  This form will help you keep track of your expenses, which may be helpful when completing your taxes for the year.

• Getting the most from the web: a guide to reliable breast cancer information on the internet
  Women tell us that when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer, they often turn to the internet looking for answers to their questions. While there is a lot of high quality information about breast cancer available online, there is also information that is out-of-date, inaccurate or unhelpful. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell the difference. This fact sheet provides a list of reliable Australian and international websites that offer good quality information about breast cancer, along with a summary of the content on each website. The digital (downloadable) version of the fact sheet provides clickable links to each of the sites and sections discussed.

• GP Management Plans, Team Care Arrangements, and Mental Health Treatment Plans
  Sometimes a diagnosis of breast cancer can lead to ongoing emotional issues that can interfere with your quality of life and your ability to live well and interact with family and friends. This might include anxiety, ongoing sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, stress or depression. If you are experiencing emotional concerns and you think that you would benefit from some professional ongoing support, you can speak to your GP about whether a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan might be appropriate for you. This printable page from My Journey includes more information about a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, and some commonly asked question about it.

• GP Management Plans, Team Care Arrangements and Mental Health Treatment Plans and metastatic breast cancer
  A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer can result in complex care needs. A chronic disease management plan can provide an organised approach to your health care so that it meets your needs. You may be able to receive a Medicare rebate for appointments with allied health professionals such as a physiotherapist, dietitian or exercise physiologist.

• Hair loss during breast cancer treatment
  Because it's visible to others, hair loss (alopecia) can be one of the more distressing aspects of treatment for breast cancer. This fact sheet has been developed with input from women who have experienced hair loss from cancer treatment. It explains how to prepare yourself for hair loss or hair thinning, steps you can take to reduce its impact, and supports and services that can help. Topics covered include talking with others about how you feel, communicating with children about hair loss, reducing hair loss with scalp cooling systems, dealing with eyelash and eyebrow loss, and self-care strategies for managing hair loss.
  

• Information Flyer
  A 2-page print out flyer of BCNA's suite of resources that you can give to your patients.

• Lymphoedema and breast cancer (2023)
  Treatment for breast cancer may involve removal of lymph nodes from your armpit (axilla) during surgery. This puts the arm on that side of the body at risk of developing lymphoedema (swelling of the arm). This lymphoedema printable page from My Journey provides information about lymphoedema, including tips to reduce your risk of developing lymphoedema, managing symptoms, travelling with lymphoedema, and state-based subsidies available for compression garments.

• Managing the financial impact of breast cancer
  This fact sheet outlines the common costs associated with breast cancer treatment and provides information to help you manage these expenses and reduce out of pocket costs. Topics covered include choosing between the private and public health systems, understanding financial consent, income options including financial support that you may be able to access through Centrelink and state/territory governments, working during treatment, and superannuation and insurance.

• Patient Assisted Transport Schemes (PATS)
  Patient Assisted Transport Schemes provide people in rural and remote areas of Australia with financial assistance towards the costs of travelling to specialist medical services for treatment. This fact sheet provides general information about each state and territory transport scheme and how they operate.

• Sleepless nights: Breast cancer and sleep
  Having trouble sleeping is very common following a breast cancer diagnosis. The worry of the diagnosis itself, as well as some of the treatments, can make sleeping difficult. This fact sheet provides information about sleep, tips and strategies that may be helpful if you are having trouble sleeping, and resources and supports that are available.

• Superannuation and insurance payments for people with a terminal illness
  Accessing superannuation early is a sensitive and complex decision for you and your family. This fact sheet provides up-to-date and straightforward information to assist you in making the decision that's right for you and your family. It also provides help with working your way through a process that can be complicated and frustrating.

• Travel insurance
  These two fact sheets – Travel insurance after early breast cancer and Travel insurance with metastatic breast cancer – provide information on the most common questions you might have about obtaining travel insurance after a diagnosis of breast cancer. They are designed to help you decide what questions you should ask about your travel insurance, including what is and is not covered, the definition of pre-existing conditions, and countries where Australian travellers may be covered by another health system (Reciprocal Health Care Agreements).

• Workplace resource: Legal rights and responsibilities for employers
  As an employer of a person diagnosed with breast cancer, you may feel shocked or sad, and unsure of what to say or do – this is a normal reaction. However, there are things you can do to help support your employee in the workplace. This fact sheet includes information about breast cancer, making adjustments to support your employee, benefits of serious illness guidelines, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Fair Work Act 2009, leave entitlements, flexibility in the workplace and the Privacy Act 1998.
• Workplace resource: Managing work, finances and breast cancer
  This fact sheet includes information on the following: decisions about working during treatment, developing a work and breast cancer plan, the role of your employer, your superannuation and insurance options, financial supports, managing bills and debt, and supports for rural people.
• Workplace resource: Tips for managers of people with breast cancer
  If one of your employees has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to help. This fact sheet provides information about your obligations as an employer and how to manage an employee’s breast cancer diagnosis within the workplace.
• Workplace resource: Work rights and responsibilities for employees
  As an employee, it is important for you to know your legal rights and responsibilities. This will help you to make decisions about work and have discussions with your manager about how your diagnosis and treatment may impact your ability to perform your current role. This fact sheet includes information on the following: knowing your legal rights, potential challenges, organisational policies for serious illnesses, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, legislation related to workplace rights, leave entitlements, flexibility in the workplace, potential conflicts, and disclosure and privacy.

• You’re important too: looking after yourself as a carer
  This fact sheet provides information to help support you in your role as carer. It also provides tips on looking after yourself.