Think Pink Events 2020 - Think Pink Foundation

– Emotional Challenges of Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer with Samantha Rennie –

(This event was held on Wednesday 25th November 2020 for the HOT Pink Sisters Support Group)

Samantha facilitated an open group discussion, exploring the emotional challenges of living with a diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

This session provided an opportunity to explore feelings in a safe and supportive environment. The group had an opportunity to learn some strategies for coping with the roller coaster ride that many experience and tools for managing the day to day struggles of living with cancer.

Samantha finished her Bachelor of Education in 1988 but found her true calling in nursing and has been working as a nurse, facilitator, educator and therapist for over 25 years. Little did she realise that her nursing career could lead to working in the funeral industry but it was a critical meeting in coming to understand the full cycle of life and death and the importance of grief in that process.

Samantha has been working both nationally and internationally with corporations, groups and individuals around the topic of grief and empowerment to provide people with tools for greater communication, compassion and fun.

– PAIN: Protectivity. Complexity. Sensitivity. Opportunity. with Professor Lorimer Moseley –

(This event was held on Wednesday 18th November 2020 for the Second Hope & HOT Pink Sisters Support Groups)

“Pain is real no matter what is causing it. From a paper cut to life-threatening trauma, pain obeys some key principles that are often surprising. For example, pain never serves to provide a factual read out of tissue health; the pain system is dynamic, changing its sensitivity from moment and gradually over time; there are multiple contributors to pain; there are multiple ways to change it. I will touch on each of these points, presenting ideas that are shifting the way persisting pain is being treated around the world.”

This session explored pain through the eyes of a scientist.

Prof Lorimer Moseley is a clinical scientist investigating pain in humans. Lorimer joined NeuRA from The University of Oxford, UK, where he was Nuffield Medical Research Fellow in the Departments of Clinical Neurology and Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics.

In 2011, Lorimer was appointed Prof of Neuroscience and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia, sharing his time between Adelaide and NeuRA, where he remained Group Leader. In 2015, Dr James McAuley took over leadership of what then became ’the McAuley group’ and Lorimer maintains a collaborative role as a NeuRA Senior Principal Research Fellow.

– Cancer Related Fatigue with Dale Ischia –

(This event was held on Tuesday 10th November 2020 for all Think Pink clients)

Cancer related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and also one of the most debilitating.

Exercise is the best treatment against cancer related fatigue. In this presentation Dale will remind us why it is so important to exercise throughout cancer treatment and discuss how to use exercise to counteract fatigue and what other factors may influence this side effect.

Dale is an Accredited Exercise physiologist with more than 20 years clinical experience who has specialised in oncology over the past 7 years.

Dale founded ‘Moving Beyond Cancer‘, an exercise physiology program dedicated to improving the lives of people with a cancer diagnosis through appropriately prescribed exercise.

Dale Ischia, BAppSci (PE) Grad Dip (Ex Rehab), ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Cancer Exercise Specialist.

– Q&A Session with Dr David Speakman –

(This event was held on Wednesday 4th November 2020 for the Supporting Blokes Group)

Dr David Speakman was invited to join the Supporting Blokes group for a Q&A session.

Dr David Speakman is a surgeon specialising in breast Disease and Melanoma. He has over 20 year’s sub-specialist experience in these areas. Dr David Speakman is currently the Chief Medical Officer at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), having held this position since 2013. He has previously held positions as the Executive Director Clinical Services and Director of the Melanoma and Skin Service both at Peter Mac. David was intimately involved in the conception, design and build of Peter Mac’s new facilities in Parkville, Victoria which delivered a purpose designed future proofed and patient centred facility for patients with cancer.

David is also a practicing clinician working in both the Breast and Melanoma and Skin Units both at Peter Mac and in private. He has over 20 year’s sub-specialist experience in both these areas. David is the Chair of Breast Screen Victoria’s Quality and Accreditation Committee. David is a member of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Council representing both melanoma and surgical oncology groups.

David remains actively involved in teaching programs for medical, nursing and allied health students of all levels from under to post graduate trainees. In addition, David is a long standing facilitator in the “Breaking Bad News” training program run through the Cancer Council of Victoria.

David has sat on numerous government advisory, NHMRC guideline, and optimal cancer care pathway committees. He is currently the Deputy Chair of the NHMRC.

– Genetics Related to Breast Cancer with Michael Bogwitz & Rebecca Purvis –

(This event was held on Wednesday 25th November 2020 for the Fabulous Over 50s and Beyond Support Group)

Rebecca Purvis and Michael Bogwitz focused on the current state of play for genetic testing for breast cancer, including advances in the genetic technologies, Medicare billing eligibility, availability of self-funded testing, and implications of results for family members.

Michael Bogwitz
Michael is a genetic counsellor at the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre. He started out his career as a lab scientist, completing a PhD in molecular genetics at the University of Melbourne, before moving into clinical genetic counselling in 2006 where he has resided since as a member of the GC leadership team. He serves on several boards including as secretary for the genetic counselling certification committee in the Human Genetics Society of Australia, and as a board member for the CPD committee. He is also a member of the Royal Melbourne hospital HREC (Human Research and Ethics Committee). His clinical interests are in cancer and cardiac genetic counselling, and embedding molecular genomics into clinical practice.

Rebecca Purvis
Rebecca is a genetic counsellor at the Parkville Genomic Medicine and Familial Cancer Centre. Rebecca completed her Master of Science in Genetic Counselling in Philadelphia, with support from a Fulbright Graduate Scholarship. Upon graduation, she received several honours including the Richard A. Pollis Graduate Scholarship for academic excellence and service to the university. In her role at Parkville, she practices across familial cancer and neurogenetics speciality and also facilitates a group seminar to assist women in self-funding genetic testing. She is the current Vice-President of the Genetic Support Network of Victoria board and has recently become certified by the American Board of Genetic Counselling. Her research interests include models of care in the public health setting and evaluation of genetic health services.

– Understanding Grief and the Cancer Journey with Samantha Rennie –

(This event was held on Wednesday 28th October 2020 for the Fabulous Over 50s and Beyond Support Group)

As we aim to stay positive through all the treatments, hospital stays and the changes in our bodies, hearts and minds, we may be missing some of the gifts that grief brings with it. Understanding grief helps us to feel positive about that part of the cancer journey too and not only helps the people with cancer but everyone who loves them. It helps to navigate, not only the physical experience of cancer and it’s treatment but the emotional one too.

– Current Treatments for Metastatic Breast Cancer with Dr Belinda Yeo –

(This event was held on Wednesday 21st October 2020 for the Second Hope Support Group)

Belinda is a Medical Oncologist from Austin Health and ONJ Cancer Centre where she currently works as both a consultant and Clinician Scientist. Belinda will provide the group with an update on current treatments for Metastatic Breast Cancer and an insight in to current research and future treatment options.

Belinda Yeo is jointly appointed to the Austin Hospital as a Medical Oncologist and to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute as a Clinician Scientist with a specific interest in breast cancer.

Belinda trained in Sydney before joining the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London as a Clinical and Research Fellow. She completed a Master’s Degree at The University of London and The Institute of Cancer Research in novel genomic and non-molecular breast cancer risk assays.

Belinda is co-lead of the VCCC Research and Education of the Breast Tumour Stream, she is a clinical trial investigator and continues her translational research investigating improving personalisation and minimizing toxicities for patients with breast cancer.

– Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic with Kathy Swift –

(This event was held on Thursday 15th October 2020 for the Pink Sisters Support Group)

Kathy discussed how the “Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic (SURC)” came to be – the new nurse led clinic is part of the BRHS Oncology Dept. in East Gippsland supporting people suffering the symptoms or side effects of their cancer treatment.

Kathy Swift is a Project Nurse at the Symptom Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) Oncology Unit, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

– Mens Health with Dr Bernie Crimmins –

(This event was held on Wednesday 7th October 2020 for the Supporting Blokes Group)

Dr Bernie Crimmins was invited to talk with the Think Pink Supporting Blokes group for an educational and entertaining session about Men’s Health.

Dr Bernie Crimmins graduated from Melbourne University in 1980 and completed his Residency years at St Vincent’s Hospital. He began General Practice in 1983 and has completed a Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition and a Masters Degree in Public Health.

Bernie has special interests in Nutrition and Weight Management, and Sports Medicine – having been the Hawthorn Football Club’s Medical Officer for 15 years and author of multiple men’s health books.

Specialities in General Medicine include: Nutrition; Weight Management; Sports Medicine.

– Understanding Grief and the Cancer Journey with Samantha Rennie –

(This event was held on Thursday 17th September 2020 for the Pink Sisters Support Group)

– Toolkit for Tough Times with Samantha Rennie –

(This event was held on Thursday 16th September 2020 for the Second Hope Support Group)

Over the course of our lives, and without thinking about it, we build for ourselves a tool shed and fill it with a tool for every challenge and opportunity that life brings. With the current pandemic, many of us find that in spite of what we’ve learned along the way, we are ill equipped to face the challenge of these. Let’s go back to the drawing board together, share our toolkit with each other and learn new ways to adapt to this environment so as to build greater resilience, as we navigate this extended lock-down period.

– Exercising Remotely for women with Breast Cancer with Dale Ischia –

(This event was held on Tuesday 8th September 2020 for all Think Pink clients)

This presentation detailed the importance of exercising throughout a cancer treatment and what needs to be considered when exercising in isolation.

Dale is an Accredited Exercise physiologist with more than 20 years clinical experience who has specialised in oncology over the past 7 years.

Dale founded ‘Moving Beyond Cancer‘, an exercise physiology program dedicated to improving the lives of people with a cancer diagnosis through appropriately prescribed exercise.

Dale Ischia, BAppSci (PE) Grad Dip (Ex Rehab), ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Cancer Exercise Specialist.

– Covid-19 Q&A Session with Kr Katie Allen MP –

(This event was held on Thursday 6th August 2020 for all Think Pink clients)

There has never been a time more so than now to try to keep everyone safe and informed, with the ever changing challenges that we are faced with due to COVID-19. Think Pink invited Dr Katie Allen MP to join them via Zoom for a Q & A session with Andrea Cannon, Think Pink Breast Care Nurse.

In February this year, Think Pink was delighted that Dr Katie Allen, Federal member for Higgins officially opened the new Think Pink Living Centre at 81A South Wharf Drive in Docklands. Unfortunately, not long after opening, Think Pink was forced to suspend all onsite operations on Monday 16 March 2020 as a result of the Victorian State of Emergency due to COVID-19 and very quickly transferred the majority of its programmes and services onto the Zoom platform.

During this time, many clients have reengaged with Think Pink, with regional clients once again being able to participate and benefit from the comfort and safety of their own home, despite the physical distance from Think Pink..

Dr Katie Allen MP is the Federal member for Higgins, elected in 2019. Katie served as a Paediatrician and Medical Researcher at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne for over 25 years. She was Director of the Population Health Research Theme at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and was a Professor at both the University of Melbourne and Manchester. She has published more than 350 peer-reviewed publications.

Katie was honoured as an inaugural Fellow of the Australia Academy of Health and Medical Science in 2015. Katie’s international public health experience includes consulting to the WHO and the US National Academy of Sciences. Katie has lived in Higgins for 40 years and is married with 4 children. She has volunteered for her community as Chair of the Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School Council and on the Board of Cabrini Health.

As the Member for Higgins she sits on the Joint Standing Committees for Trade and Investment Growth; NBN; and the Parliamentary Library, and the Joint Select Committees on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme and Committee on Indigenous Recognition. She is on the House of Representatives Standing Committees on Communications and the Arts; Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources and is a supplementary member of the Health, Aged Care and Sport committee.

– Food and Nutrition with Ryan Surace –

(This event was held on Wednesday 29th July 2020 for the Pink Sisters Support Group)

The Pink Sisters Support Group was joined by guest speaker Ryan Surace – an Oncology Dietitian at the Epworth Richmond. Ryan talked about Food and Nutrition during the Breast Cancer Journey.

Ryan Surace is a Senior Dietitian at the Epworth in Richmond.

– Medical Cannabis with Daniel Tan –

(This event was held on Wednesday 22nd July 2020 for the Second Hope Support Groups)

The use of Medical Cannabis in Victoria continues to raise a lot of questions in the cancer setting. We invited Daniel Tan to help address some of these questions as well as provide some answers.

How can I access Medical Cannabis?
How much will it cost?
What symptoms could it help manage?
Who can prescribe it?
Does it interact with other drugs like chemotherapy?

Daniel works as a Medical Liaison for Medlab Clinical, a medical research and development company involved in support and education around the use of Medical Cannabis.

He has been a pharmacist for the past 10 years and a Medical Liaison with Medlab for the last few years.

As a Medical Liaison, he is responsible for providing medical information to health care professionals and patients.

– Hypnotherapy with Dr Amanda Hordern –

(This event was held on Wednesday 24th June 2020 for the Second Hope Support Group)

Amanda explained how the latest findings from Clinical Hypnotherapy, neuroscience brain retraining techniques and mindfulness can assist people to break the cycle of fear and ‘negative thought viruses’ and reset your mind and body to a happier calmer place.

Dr Amanda Hordern is a leading expert who strives to lift the lid off the great taboo of sex and cancer. She draws on many years of experience as Executive Director Cancer Information and Support, at Cancer Council Victoria, Australia and decades of counselling, teaching and research in cancer care. Dr Hordern is an international keynote speaker and has lectured in cancer and palliative care at Post Graduate, Masters and PhD levels. She has assisted thousands of patients to reprogram their mind through her private practice, Bayside Healthy Living. She draws upon the latest findings in neuroscience to embrace measurable and uplifting changes, no matter what age, culture, gender, type or stage of cancer.

– Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM –

(This event was held on Wednesday 20th May 2020 for the Second Hope Support Group)

Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos (AM) joined the Second Hope Support Group via Zoom to share some of her experience as an Integrated Medical Practitioner.

Dr Dr Vicki has over 30 years of clinical experience and through her emphasis on lifestyle and preventative medicine, she has been able to combine the best of orthodox and integrative approaches in the areas of dietary advice, nutritional medicine, complementary medicine, impact of the environment on our health, acupuncture and hypnosis. Dr Vicki is lead co-author of the popular textbook ‘A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine’ , that explores the latest research in lifestyle and integrative medicine for the management of common diseases. She has published well over 150 articles and writes a regular monthly column that is distributed to over 30,000 Australian GP’s.

Due to her extensive community services, in June 2016 Dr Vicki was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for ‘significant service to integrative medicine, to health practitioner standards and regulations, to medical education, and to the environment ‘. We are so lucky she is able to join us to share her insights on living with metastatic breast cancer.