Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Post

This world-first study, with one of Australia’s key researchers Dr. Eva Zopf, highlights the transformative impact and cost-effectiveness of a specific supervised exercise program for individuals with metastatic breast cancer—a group often overlooked in research. Unlike general activity advice, this structured program significantly improves quality of life by addressing disease and treatment-related symptoms. Economically, it offers substantial savings in healthcare costs and productivity losses, a crucial consideration given the $1.8 billion annual expenditure on breast cancer care in Australia. Integrating such programs into standard practice presents a strategic opportunity to enhance patient outcomes while reducing financial pressures on the healthcare system. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Zopf for collaborating with BCNA on this important media announcement and amplifying the voice in addressing unmet needs for those diagnosed and living with MBC. Policymakers and healthcare providers must ensure that supportive care programs like this one become an integral part of standard clinical care. These programs are not just an added value; they provide significant improvements in quality of life and offer substantial economic benefits as highlighted in this global study. Congratulations to Eva and the entire research team. The study link can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gMy9KjWt Thanks to Bruce Mann & Prue Francis, also co authors for sharing this work with BCNA. Breast Cancer Network Australia American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Eva Zopf Aniek Schouten Anouk Hiensch Geert Frederix Evelyn Monninkhof

As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m reminded of the importance of early intervention through accessible healthcare services. Today, a patient visited our clinic in Rochester, Kent, to share her gratitude after an initial consultation on our NHS mobile health bus. That consultation led to a GP referral, which resulted in an early stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis, caught in time for prompt and effective treatment. Her story underscores the importance of bringing healthcare to people directly in their communities—a mission we are committed to continuing, even as the NHS bus service concludes. While the NHS mobile bus is no longer active, our previous service provided a proactive approach to health checks, and support to individuals who may not otherwise engage in regular health screenings. We remain dedicated to these services and are expanding our reach through both in-person and telemedicine consultations from our clinic in Kent. These ongoing services enable us to connect with patients directly, offering flexibility for those who may prefer or require remote care options. This approach is part of the "Making Every Contact Count" initiative, which allows us to address specific conditions while remaining attentive to broader health needs. For patients managing conditions like diabetes, these consultations serve as a point of early intervention, where additional screenings can have a life-changing impact—as it did for this patient. Our mission remains clear: to provide comprehensive care that supports early detection and promotes well-being in every patient encounter. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s remember the importance of accessible, thorough healthcare and continue to seek ways to make every contact count. #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #NHS #NHSKENTANDMEDWAY #CommunityHealthcare #DiabetesCare #MakingEveryContactCount

Healthcare is inherently interdependent and complex. As demand for care rises, consumer navigation of the health system has become increasingly burdensome and expensive, with unexpected or hidden out-of-pocket costs often arising. A value-based health care approach encourages a focus on the outcomes that matter to people and communities with service delivery organised around the shared health goals of people developed in collaboration with their health care teams. Many organisations and services around Australia are exploring ways in which teams of health professionals can more effectively work together to improve consumer navigation of the healthcare system to improve the outcomes that matter to the people accessing care. One such example is the 2023 VBHC Innovation Award winning project, the Breast Cancer Bundle of Care model. Launched in July 2022, the Bundle brings together service providers across Perth to develop a ‘joined up’, care pathway for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The Bundle provides holistic package of care and support that provides transparency costs of care and delivers a ‘patient navigator’ service enhancing system coordination for patients and professionals. Reflecting on their approach in a recent piece for the Australian Health Review, the authors emphasise the criticality of strategic partnerships, to develop an early consensus between providers on desired patient experience and outcomes. They explain that ‘…understand[ing] and tailor[ing] the care pathway to the specific multi-disciplinary team, ensure[s] that patients are able to access all of the services that they will require and understand the relevant referral pathways.’ You can read other key lessons learnt in May’s special VBHC edition of the Australian Health Review, here: https://lnkd.in/g5SdJt2G To hear more about the experience of developing and implementing the Breast Cancer Bundle model, join us Wednesday June 19, 10-11am AEST for our next Australian Centre for VBHC webinar, ‘Joining up the care pathway: building a bundle of care’. Register here: https://lnkd.in/griFy3GK

🚀 Germany Takes Bold Steps in Lung Cancer Screening for Smokers! 🇩🇪 Germany's health authorities are launching a comprehensive evaluation of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for early lung cancer detection among smokers. This initiative marks a pivotal advancement in public health efforts against this critical disease. 📅 On December 21, 2023, the Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss (G-BA) began consultations to assess LDCT's effectiveness, reinforcing the government's commitment to preventive healthcare as outlined in the German Social Code. Key Insights: - LDCT screening could significantly lower lung cancer mortality rates among heavy smokers. - Radiation exposure is a concern; hence, strict screening guidelines are essential. - Effective implementation requires strong collaboration among stakeholders. As Germany refines its lung cancer screening protocols, prioritizing evidence-based practices will be crucial. This initiative aims to ensure that high-risk individuals receive accessible and reliable screening services nationwide. 🔗 Click the link for more details on this significant public health development! #Germany #HealthTechnologyAssessment #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcarePolicyandRegulation #LDCT #LungCancer #PublicHealth #Publications #RegulatoryAgencies #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

A GLOBAL FIRST IN HEALTH CARE! Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center has become the first organization in the world to earn HIMSS’s Community Care Outcomes Maturity Model (C-COMM) Stage 7 validation for using information and technology to enhance patient care. C-COMM Stage 7 is the highest level of accreditation awarded by HIMSS. This recognition signifies the full integration of well-known digital tools like MyChart that allows health information to be shared effectively between patients and their clinical teams, with others such as the Baptist Access app, which features interactive maps, “Find a Doctor” and “Parking Reminder” tools to help patients find where they parked and how to navigate to a specific location inside our health care facilities. The integration and optimization of these tools enhances patient engagement, experience, quality of care and safety and ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes. “Today, the majority of treatments, care and services take place outside the confines of hospitals or acute care settings,” said Bill Putnam, MD, FACS, medical director of Baptist MD Anderson. “Digital tools help patients navigate their health care journey and help us connect with them and meet them where they are. They allow us to manage and adjust treatments to ensure patients receive the top-quality, patient-centered cancer care they have come to expect from us.” READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/eMaE3iyv

🎄 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 – 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬? 🎄 Patient pathways are recognised as a valuable approach in healthcare to create seamless care, inform the patient, plan the care process, and implement medical guidelines. But as we journey through our "Pathways to Christmas" advent calendar, it’s essential to clarify what we’re actually talking about when we say “patient pathways.” 🛤 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 A patient pathway is a tool that supports evidence-based planning and management of care for patients, often with complex or chronic conditions. It maps out the key phases, milestones, and decisions in the care process, enabling multidisciplinary teams and patients to collaborate effectively in integrated care networks. Pathways guide patients through their entire journey - helping to align goals, enhance care coordination, and foster shared decision-making between patients and their care teams. 📖 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰:Empowers patients as informed participants in their care. 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱:Built on the latest medical guidelines and expert knowledge. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲: Covers the whole patient journey in a comprehensivecare network, e.g., from prevention and screening, to diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, rehabilitation as well as palliative care and research across all involved healthcare sectors. This definition, developed during the Joint Action #iPAAC, has been recommended for usage in the updates of National Cancer Control Programmes and has been adopted in European initiatives like #CraNE, #EUnetCCC, and #CCI4EU. 🎁 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: Patient pathways align goals, enhance care coordination, and ensure that every patient receives structured, high-quality care. #PathwaysToChristmas #PatientPathways #IntegratedCare #HealthcareInnovation #PatientCentricCare #CareCoordination #EvidenceBasedCare #DefiningPathways with Hannes Schlieter, Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft e. V. (DKG) Read more here: 👉 iPAAC results on patient pathways: https://lnkd.in/ehmdCa3r 👉 Report on the inclusion of Patient Pathways, Quality Indicators, PROMS, and the implementation of Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks in the updates of National Cancer Control Programmes: https://lnkd.in/eHYSGUU9

NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board in Scotland hitting its cancer targets according to official stats. Cancer treatment waiting times are judged against two standards; that 95 per cent of patients should begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, and the same proportion wait no longer than 31 days from the decision to treat. Public Health Scotland (PHS) figures show only one out of 14 health boards in Scotland met the target of 62 days - NHS Lanarkshire, which achieved 95.4 per cent. The 31-day standard was met by 11 health boards including NHS Lanarkshire. Across Scotland, the figures show that during the last quarter from July to September 2024, around 1,200 (27.9 per cent) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral. Meanwhile, 72.1 per cent of patients on an urgent referral started treatment within 62 days over the quarter - below the 95 per cent target. Some 94.3 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days, compared with 95.5 per cent in the previous quarter and 96.5 per cent in the quarter ending December 31, 2019. Deborah Forster Rachel Connor Laura McIntosh Lianne Pipskyj Rebecca Robb Kelly Parish #ReedHealthandCare #NHS #NHSScotland #NHSLanarkshire

During the first "Clinical Year in Review" session at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2024 International Conference, experts discussed significant advancements in ARDS, childhood asthma, health equity, and lung cancer. Key points included updates to the ARDS definition, community-level asthma interventions, and innovative approaches to addressing health disparities. The session underscored the critical need to address racial and ethnic health disparities and bias in clinical care. For more detailed insights, read the full article! #ATS2024 #Healthcare #ClinicalResearch #HealthEquity

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Perci Health, the UK’s largest and most comprehensive virtual cancer clinic. This collaboration will bring personalised cancer support services directly to MySanté app users, making it easier than ever to access the care and guidance they need. Through this partnership, users will benefit from: ✅ Risk assessments and a nurse chat service ✅ Access to evidence-based, personalised cancer support services ✅ The option to upgrade to Perci Health’s full clinic services, including one-to-one consultations with NHS-registered cancer specialists like nurses, dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, and more. With cancer incidence affecting 1 in 2 people, this partnership underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible healthcare solutions. Together, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with cancer and their families.  Paul Nugent, CEO of MySanté, says: "By offering Perci Health’s services through our app, we can make it easier for people to get the support they need, when and where they need it." At MySanté, we strive to enhance wellbeing through innovative partnerships like this one. Learn more about MySanté: https://lnkd.in/eb3utHn4 Discover Perci Health: www.percihealth.com/ #HealthcareInnovation #CancerSupport #Partnership #DigitalHealth #Healthandwellbeing #MySanté #PerciHealth

Are we ready for the surgical surge? 🏥🔍 Ontario Health | Santé Ontario started to deploy new screening standards as announced by the Ontario Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones and shared by CBC below. With Ontario’s new breast cancer screening guidelines now in effect, women in their 40s can book mammograms without a doctor's referral—a significant win for early detection and women's health. Supriya Kulkarni, president of the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging, rightly points out, “By allowing women to begin screening earlier, we enhance the potential for early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for many.” 👩⚕️💪 But here's the pressing question: How will the healthcare system handle the additional demand for surgical interventions? Early detection saves lives but also leads to more surgeries in a system already overwhelmed by bottlenecks and capacity challenges. This is where innovation needs to step in. 🛠️ Sifio Health's surgitwin™—a cutting-edge digital twin technology—is here to help. surgitwin™ supports surgical centers by optimizing resources, predicting future needs, and improving efficiency. With tools like this, we can ensure that surgical departments are ready to manage the influx of cases effectively, without compromising the quality of care. 🚀 As Ontario progresses with this historic step in women's health, it’s essential to consider how we manage these new demands. By leveraging innovative solutions like surgitwin™, we can improve patient outcomes while unlocking existing capacity in our overburdened healthcare system. Let’s make sure that increased access to screening leads to timely, effective treatment for all. 🙌 #BreastCancerAwareness 🎀 #HealthcareInnovation #SurgicalEfficiency #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #DigitalHealth #WomensHealth #AIInHealthcare #SurgiTwin #HealthcareCapacity