MALE BREAST CANCER Nearly half of male breast cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 3. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, and stigmas surrounding breast cancer in men. Male Breast Cancer It’s a common breast cancer myth that men can’t get breast cancer. Breast cancer in men accounts for just under 1% of all breast cancers. In this article, we provide an overview and insights into the signs of male breast cancer, survival rate, statistics in Australia, stages of the disease and male breast cancer self exam techniques. Male Breast Cancer Statistics in Australia The estimated number o ..read more

INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER From symptoms to treatment options and how it differs from other types of breast cancer – understand Inflammatory Breast Cancer. What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer? Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) accounts for less than 5% of all breast cancer diagnoses. It is a form of invasive breast cancer that affects the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast. Rather than forming as a lump, the breast becomes red and swollen, and this is commonly confused with an infection. This is caused by the cancer spreading along and blocking the lymphatic vessels, which work to ..read more

NAVIGATING A SHOCK BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS WITH A YOUNG FAMILY We spoke with Naomi about her breast cancer diagnosis, navigating breast cancer with a young family, and the imporance of supporting clinical trials research. Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Naomi Richards is a wife and mum of three daughters, Mila, Lottie, and Eden, living in Wagga Wagga. In 2023, Naomi felt a lump in her left breast, and after undergoing days of testing, including a mammogram and an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with breast cancer on 8 March 2023, which also happens to be International Women’s Day. We sp ..read more

FUNGATING BREAST CANCER Understanding fungating breast cancer (also known as ulcerating cancer wounds), such as symptoms, causes, stages, and treatments, along with valuable support resources for those affected. Fungating Breast Tumour What is a Fungating Tumour A fungating breast tumour is an advanced form of cancer that leads to the development of ulcers or infection on the skin of the breast or its vicinity. This type of tumour emerges when the cancerous mass breaks through the skin, resulting in the formation of a wound or ulcer characterized by leakage, an unpleasant odour and pain ..read more

NAVEENA’S STORY: TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER AND NAVIGATING TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS We spoke with Naveena about her breast cancer diagnosis, the long-terms side effects from her treatment, and how she is working to make a difference to the lives of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Naveena Nekkalapudi is a member of the Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel, where members provide a patient’s perspective in the development of trials and the conduct of our research program. Naveena was diagnosed with stage 3, grade 3, triple negative breast cancer on Christmas Eve ..read more

INVESTIGATING THE BENEFITS OF A PRONE VS SUPINE POSITION DURING RADIATION As part of Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowship program, Jenna Dean is investigating the benefits of a prone vs supine treatment position with the MR Linac, a magnetic imaging machine. Jenna Dean is a radiation therapist at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre with an interest in patient-centred care, research, breast planning, and particle therapy. This is the third year of the Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowship program and Jenna has been successful in receiving a fellowship in 202 ..read more

DEVELOPING NEW TREATMENTS FOR INVASIVE LOBULAR CARCINOMA As part of Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowship program, Dr Anna Sokolova is investigating the expression of the ROS1 protein being an important target in invasive lobular carcinoma tumors. Invasive lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk glands of the breast and has spread beyond the lobules, potentially spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. As part of a Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowship project, Dr Anna Sokolova is investigating the expression of the ROS1 protein bein ..read more

IMPROVING THE EARLY DETECTION OF INVASIVE LOBULAR CARCINOMA As part of Breast Cancer Trials Clinical Fellowship program, Dr Tivya Kulasegaran will be establishing tools for the early detection of invasive lobular carcinoma, aiming to improve clinical practice. Dr Tivya Kulasegaran is an advanced trainee and Medical Oncologist at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research. She is passionate about improving cancer services to rural and regional centres, and has a keen interest in lung and upper gastrointestinal malignancies. This is the third year of the Breast Cancer Tri ..read more

2023 SAN ANTONIO BREAST CANCER SYMPOSIUM A summary of key announcements and research developments presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) is one of the largest breast cancer conferences in the world, that brings together leading health professionals to hear the latest developments in research. This is the 46th year of the conference which attracts academics, clinicians and researchers involved in breast cancer in medical, surgical, gynaecological and radiation oncology, as w ..read more

PRE VS POST PECTORAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION AND THE RADIOTHERAPY CONUNDRUM Dr Kylie Snook is a Breast Surgeon based in Sydney, with an interest in implant reconstruction. We spoke with Dr Snook about the treatment changes that have occurred over recent years in breast reconstruction and radiotherapy. Dr Kylie Snook is a Breast Surgeon based in Sydney, and was a guest speaker at our 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand. We spoke with her about the treatment changes that have occurred over recent years in breast reconstruction and radiotherapy. “I’m talking on the conun ..read more