If Breast Cancer Comes Back – NSW Breast Cancer Institute Public Forum

The NSW Breast Cancer Institute is encouraging local communities nationally to participate in its FREE annual Public Forum on 9 August 2003 from 8:30am till 12:00 noon.

Entitled “If breast cancer comes back” the forum will focus on understanding metastatic breast cancer – why and how breast cancer can return and how it can be managed.Professor John Boyages, Executive Director, NSW Breast Cancer Institute is urging all people with breast cancer, and their friends and family to attend.”It’s a difficult time when breast cancer comes back,” he said. “It’s really important that patients know how to take control and understand what treatments are available.”A panel of medical experts will talk about understanding the return of breast cancer and the choices available for managing the disease.””Other speakers have personally battled cancer and can offer personal stories of hope for fighting metastatic disease. There is always hope.” he said.The forum will be broadcast live from Westmead Hospital NSW via SKY Channel to selected community sites around Australia. Through satellite link up participants in communities will be able to ‘phone in’ and ask their own questions that will be discussed by the panel.Professor Boyages said the NSW Breast Cancer Institute’s Public Forum is unique.”The broadcast is the only one of its kind in Australia,” he said.”It’s a valuable interactive event that extends information about breast cancer management and support, particularly to rural and regional areas that often miss out on such opportunities.”It’s also a great opportunity to find out more about your local support network.”If individuals or community groups do not have access to a broadcast venue in their local area they are encouraged to contact the Institute about arranging their own venue.Working to the vision Beating Breast Cancer – Saving Lives, the NSW Institute of Breast Cancer is committed to the provision of breast cancer care through three main programs covering consumer and clinician education, breast cancer research, and managing a multidisciplinary clinical centre of excellence.The 2003 Public Forum forms part of the ‘Strengthening Support for Rural Women’ project – a joint Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and NSW Health Initiative, and is proudly supported by AstraZeneca.For registrations and local site details contact the NSW Breast Cancer Institute on (02) 9845 8450 or (02) 9845 8468