Breast Cancer documentary screening

COFFS Harbour Breast Cancer Buddies (CHBCB) are supporting the local screening of a documentary, Conquering Breast Cancer, showing at Coffs BCC Cinema on Sunday 16 August.

A feature-length documentary, Conquering Breast Cancer shares the inspiring stories of breast cancer patients, survivors, families and researchers, while exploring the realities of diagnosis, treatment and the lasting impact the disease has on people’s lives.

The informative film has been produced in Melbourne, with sponsorship from National Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

CHBCB Support Group Co-ordinator Di Holt has seen the documentary and says it is all about raising awareness, getting informed and knowing what to do if you have a positive diagnosis.

“We need to keep talking about breast cancer, keep supporting the science (both the medical progress and research) and get better informed about what’s available in our communities, such as breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment choices,” she told News Of The Area.

Ms Holt shared some of the statistics released by BCNA.

Every day, 56 people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer.

“That’s more than 20,000 people each year,” Ms Holt said.

One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Over nine people die from breast cancer in Australia every day.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

Through her work with the CHBCB Support Group and hearing the stories in the documentary, Ms Holt said there is genuine hope and commitment from other breast cancer survivors and the wider breast cancer community to keep working towards a future with zero deaths from breast cancer.

“You are not alone when facing breast cancer, you are a survivor from the moment you are diagnosed,” she said.

While all the stories are inspiring, Ms Holt cites two that stood out to her.

The first is Dyna Eldaief, who initiated the idea for this film and worked closely with the film’s producer, is the young mum who shares how breast cancer has impacted her family, and her life.

“Her cultural and personal insights of getting informed, taking action and being a breast cancer advocate highlight her hope for others to overcome fears about breast cancer and see the benefits of early detection and diagnosis,” Ms Holt said.

The second is Lyn Swinburne, a long-term breast cancer survivor, courageous campaigner and advocate, and the founder and Breast Cancer Network Australia, the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer.

“Lyn transformed the face of breast cancer at the grass roots level, many years ago, because she wasn’t afraid to speak up to governments and politicians about breast cancer,” Ms Holt said.

“She has always championed the needs of so many people living and dying with breast cancer.”

The lasting impression of watching the documentary, for Ms Holt as a breast cancer survivor, is multifaceted.

“Feeling inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of personal stories, feeling the connection and collaboration in the wider breast cancer community, and feeling hope and resilience for a better breast cancer future for everyone.”

By Andrea FERRARI