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Module 4 Breast cancer prevalence

Health promotionMcGrath Foundation case study

Years 11-12

Module 4

Teacher notesThis module provides resources to support the teaching of health priorities in Australia. This module looks at health promotion, social justice and the Ottawa Charter. It also contains a case study on the McGrath Foundation with correlating activities.

Breast cancer prevalenceBreast cancer prevalence

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Support Materials

• PowerPoint 1: The Nature of the Problem

• Worksheet 1: Analysing the McGrath Foundation

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Discussion notes for Module 4

Teacher notesKeep in mind that some facts about breast cancer may have been covered in previous modules, so a comprehensive detail may not be required. If these facts feel overly repetitive, you can move on to the rest of the module.

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The nature of the problem• In 2009, 27 per cent of all cancer diagnoses were breast cancer.1

• By 2020, the number of new breast cancer cases among women is projected to reach 17,000.3

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women.3

• The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is increasing. The reason breast cancer is on the increase is predominantly due to our aging population and lifestyle factors.

• The average age of first diagnosis in women is 60 years.1 Most cases of breast cancer don’t run in the family.

• One in eight women have a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in Australia by the age of 85.1

• About one hundred men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.3

• Breast cancer incidence in women under 40 is low as six per cent (or around 700 women) of the total annual breast cancer diagnoses in this age group.4

• On average, 37 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each day3

• For women, there has been an increase in survival after diagnosis of breast cancer. Survival figures provide information on the likelihood that a woman will still be alive at a specific point in time (such as five years) following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Between 1982-1987 and 2000-2006, five-year survival increased from 72.6% to 88.3% respectively. Women with breast cancer are living longer than they did 25 years ago.2

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview. Cancer series no. 74. Cat. no. CAN 70. Canberra: AIHW.

2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* 2009. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009. Cancer series no. 50. Cat. no. CAN 46. Canberra: AIHW.

3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview. Cancer series no. 71. Cat. no. CAN 67. Canberra: AIHW.

4. National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, Report to the Nation Breast Cancer 2010

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Health promotion, social justice & the Ottawa Charter

Activity instruction:

1. Discuss the concept of health promotion.

2. Explain that the success of any health promotion initiative is increased if individuals, communities, governments, and non-government agencies work together to achieve a common goal.

3. Explain the concepts of the Ottawa Charter and Social Justice, describing its five action areas.

Social Justice refers to the idea of removing inequities in health. Health promotion campaigns aim to address inequities in health so that all groups in society can have a chance to achieve a good level of health.

The Ottawa Charter was developed in 1986 and can be used as a guide to creating effective health promotion initiatives. It is based on five action areas, which are outlined below:

1. Developing personal skills. This involves providing people with the necessary knowledge and skills to allow them to achieve a healthy lifestyle themselves.

2. Creating supportive environments. This involves creating an atmosphere that is conducive to health. Environments can allow people to make positive changes to their own health.

3. Strengthening community action. This encourages communities to take initiative and be involved in health promotion, as opposed to Governments and non-Government organisations.

4. Re-orienting health services. This aims to adopt a preventative approach to health as opposed to a curative approach.

5. Building healthy public policy. This includes using legislation, policies, and fiscal measures to promote health.

The more action areas a health promotion initiative reflects, the more likely it is to be successful in achieving health for all and reducing inequalities in health.

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Analysing the McGrath FoundationActivity instruction:

1. In this section, students look at the McGrath Foundation as an example of health promotion.

2. By logging on to www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au, they can find out how the Foundation reflects action areas of the Ottawa Charter.

3. Those without Internet access can review the case study below.

About the McGrath Foundation

A story well known in Australia, Jane and Glenn McGrath’s much-publicised experience with breast cancer led to the formation of what has become one of Australia’s most respected and recognised charities, the McGrath Foundation.

Because of their experience came the belief that every Australian family experiencing breast cancer should have access to the support of a breast care nurse shaping the McGrath Foundation’s mission to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and to increase breast awareness in young women.

Today, the McGrath Foundation is considered to be one of Australia’s leading breast cancer support organisations, with over 25,000 Australian families supported by our 88 McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally in the last six years.

With a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in every State and Territory throughout Australia, families experiencing breast cancer can self refer to their nearest McGrath Breast Care Nurse (ie they do not require a medical referral) and be supported by a McGrath Breast Care Nurses free of charge.

Curve Lurve is the McGrath Foundation’s breast awareness initiative. The aim, to increase breast awareness right across the community and communicate important information about breast and body awareness, to empower and inspire young Australians to take care of their bodies, protect their health and feel comfortable with their curves.

One woman’s experience has seen a team of passionate and dedicated people come together and step up to the challenge of making life with breast cancer in Australia just that little bit easier. Until there is a cure for breast cancer, the McGrath Foundation is committed to working to provide as much support as they can for families facing a breast cancer experience through the funding of their McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally.

With the help of the Australian public, the Federal Government, generous Corporate Friends and supportive Foundation Friends, everyone at the McGrath Foundation continues to work tirelessly to achieve their mission of a breast care nurse for every Australian family experiencing breast cancer and to ensure all young women are breast aware.

As they say at the McGrath Foundation – together, we can make a difference!

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Linking our work to the Ottawa Charter – McGrath’s Program Model

Developing personal skills

Jane McGrath was only 31 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer and she felt passionately about empowering women under 40 to take control of their health by conducting regular breast checks.

As part of the Curve Lurve breast awareness initiative, the McGrath Foundation has a dedicated tab on the McGrath Foundation website detailing breast awareness information, a Curve Lurve Breast Awareness video and Card which women can use as a guide to being breast aware and what to do if they find a change in their breast as well as a Curve Lurve iPhone app which provides the user with the information they need to check their breasts.

As part of the Curve Lurve program, there is a workplace and community guide for organisations to host their own Curve Lurve session for their colleagues and talk to them about the importance of being breast aware and a Curve Lurve Breast Awareness video.

All of these resources provide young women with the tools they need to learn to embrace their curves and be breast aware.

To find out more about Curve Lurve, visit http://www.curvelurve.com.au

Create supportive environments

The broader community and social media

The McGrath Foundation has a variety of ways they engage and interact with the community to communicate important messages about new locations of McGrath Breast Care Nurses, the importance of breast awareness and new community fundraising initiatives.

These environments include social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Foursquare, the McGrath Foundation website and their monthly newsletter.

Social media has played an increasingly important role in the McGrath Foundation’s communications strategy as it provides an avenue to interact with supporters in real time to inform them of new information or to answer questions quickly.

Allowing a conversation to happen through these mediums has seen the McGrath Foundation’s support continue to grow as supporters now have the ability to share stories and information with their own networks about the work of the McGrath Foundation or how they are supporting the cause.

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Strengthen community actions

Engaging with the community is at the core of the McGrath Foundation and reflects the McGrath Foundation’s values of fun, friendship, mutual benefits, integrity, passion, respect, innovation and accountability.

The McGrath works with the community in a number of ways so they can make a difference through their support.

Everyday, the Australian community supports the McGrath Foundation by making donations, hosting or attending community events, or purchasing a pink product in the McGrath Foundation’s name.

Community Friends

The McGrath Foundation is fortunate enough to have people in the community, otherwise known as Community Friends, choose to support the McGrath Foundation by hosting a fundraising event.

Events include everything from sport, high teas, sausage sizzles, gala dinners, head shaving as well as donations in lieu of presents for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

The McGrath Foundation has successfully rolled out a number of community-based fundraising initiatives to raise money nationally and to encourage local communities to support the McGrath Foundation, including the popular Pink Stumps Day and Pull On Your Socks initiatives.

On average more than 1300 community events are hosted each and every year in support of the McGrath Foundation, helping to raise money for the McGrath Foundation to help place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia.

Want to help? Find out how you can become a Community Friend at

http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/events/host-a-community-event

Corporate Friends

Integral to helping the McGrath Foundation achieve their mission to ensure every family experiencing breast cancer has access to the support of a breast care nurse, Corporate Friendships are key to helping the McGrath Foundation achieve their mission to ensure every Australian family experiencing breast cancer has access to a breast care nurse no matter where they live.

As a McGrath Foundation Corporate Friend, organisations enter into a true collaborative partnership, where the McGrath Foundation helps organisations fundraise for the cause.

Every Corporate Friendship is tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of the organisation, be it through donations from products or services, pro bono support, in-kind goods and services, financial support and information services.

The McGrath Foundation works with Corporate Friends in many different ways to help them:

• Make an impact on their community by supporting Australian families experiencing breast as well as helping to increase breast awareness in young women

• Build their brand and differentiate themselves from competitors through their support of the McGrath Foundation

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• Build trust in their organisation by aligning with the McGrath Foundation and their mission

• Inspire pride in their employees by giving back to the community

• Create buzz around their activity for the McGrath Foundation

• Suggest ways to become involved in fundraising events such as the McGrath Foundation High Teas

The McGrath Foundation has a number of Corporate Friendships working in a wide range of industries but common to all these friendships is a true commitment to improving the lives of Australian women experiencing breast cancer and their families, and the overall aims of the McGrath Foundation.

You can find out more about the McGrath Foundation’s Corporate Friends at http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/supporters/corporate-friends

Volunteers

Volunteers play an important role in the work of the McGrath Foundation, be it via ‘tin rattling’ at major events, assisting in merchandise sales or helping with office duties at their head office in Sydney.

The McGrath Foundation has many dedicated volunteers providing office and administrative support on a weekly basis, as well as attending special events and fundraisers.

You can find out more about how to volunteer and make a difference here:

http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/make-a-difference/volunteer

Foundation Friends

The McGrath Foundation is fortunate to have many celebrities who lend their support to help them achieve their mission through awareness and ambassadorial roles.

Foundation Friends have a special place within the McGrath Foundation Family as each and every one has shown their support for our mission in their own way - be it as a friend to Jane and Glenn, have had, or know someone that has had personal experience with breast cancer, having independently fundraised for us or donated their time to help with events.

Foundation Friendships allow the McGrath Foundation to draw on the unique talents of each Friend, their community and supporters whilst also providing them with the ability to make a difference to the community in which they live.

The McGrath Foundation identify ways in which our Foundation Friends can support them, such as attending events, spreading key McGrath Foundation messages through their networks or participating in media opportunities.

Foundation Friends include cricketer Shane Watson and his wife, Lee Furlong; MTV VJ and Model, Erin McNaught; comedians, Hamish Blake, Andy Lee and Adam Hill and Olympic swimmer, Eamon Sullivan to name a few.

To meet more Foundation Friends, please visit

http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/about-us/friends-of-the-mcgrath-foundation

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McGrath Foundation Events

Each year the McGrath Foundation runs large scale McGrath Foundation events, which allows them the opportunity to interact with the public at a more personal level. These events include the Summer of Cricket activations, Pink Stumps Day, Pull on your Socks and the Signature High Tea series.

To find out more about ways you can get involved, visit the www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.

Re-orienting health services Breast awareness is one of the main aims of the McGrath Foundation’s mission. Curve Lurve is a breast awareness initiative designed specifically with young women in mind. Curve Lurve aims to communicate important information about breast awareness, to empower and inspire young Australians to take care of their bodies, protect their health and feel comfortable with their curves.

Available on the McGrath Foundation’s website, Curve Lurve is packed with breast and body awareness content including a teaching and learning resource for high school teachers to use in the classroom setting and a facilitator’s guide for anybody interested in breast health to run their own session in their workplace or community setting. To find out more visit www.curvelurve.com.au

Building healthy public policy

Breast care nurses are specially trained nurses who act as patient advocates, coordinating care for women with breast cancer and their families and carers. In doing so, they work to ensure physical, psychological and basic support needs are met and play a vital role in the multi-disciplinary team.

While being treated for a secondary cancer in 2003, Jane McGrath had access to a breast care nurse for the first time and became aware of the tremendous impact they can have on a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing both during and after treatment.

Jane said at the time, it was like having someone hold her hand through one of the worst nightmares of her life. Jane’s breast care nurse allowed her to be Jane McGrath – the friend, the mother and the wife. She was also someone who could give Jane informed and knowledgeable answers to the many questions she had.

As a result of this experience, Jane felt strongly that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, and her family, should be able to benefit from the support of a specialist breast care nurse and as such, this became one of the McGrath Foundation’s main objectives.

In 2008, the Federal Government generously provided a $12 million grant to the McGrath Foundation to fund 44 McGrath Breast Care Nurse positions over four years in communities where they were needed most, primarily in rural and regional Australia. In 2013, this funding was renewed to expand the program by funding another 13 nurses, making a total of 57 Commonwealth- funded nurses.

In addition, local area health services and hospitals can apply for a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in their community by providing evidence of need. The McGrath Foundation uses these applications to look for gaps in service for families experiencing breast cancer.

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To date, the McGrath Foundation has helped support over 16,000 Australian families experiencing breast cancer, with 77 McGrath Breast Care Nurses working in communities right across Australia, with McGrath Breast Care Nurses located in areas as far reaching as Hervey Bay (QLD), Geraldton (WA), Armidale (NSW) and Warrnambool (VIC).

It costs about $350,000 to place a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the community full-time for a three year period, so the McGrath Foundation relies heavily on support from the community to help fund additional McGrath Breast Care Nurses in the community.

To make a donation to the McGrath Foundation, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.

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Activity 1 Worksheet – analysing the

McGrath Foundation

Activity instruction:

Once students have found out the information they need, they can complete the table on the next page. This shows how the action areas of the Ottawa Charter are represented by the work of the McGrath Foundation. An example has been completed to show students what to do.

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Strategy Action areaReasons for effectiveness of strategy

Availability on website of a breast awareness card

Develop personal skills Women are provided with knowledge and skills on how to be breast aware, such as how to check for changes and lumps in the breast. This will hopefully enable any health concerns to be detected at an earlier stage.

Worksheet

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Activity 2 The Ottawa Charter

at work

Activity instruction:

Ask students to justify how health promotion based on the Ottawa Charter promotes the principles of Social Justice. Use examples relating to the McGrath Foundation.

Discussion points:

1. How does the work of the McGrath Foundation contribute to the pursuit of public health and wellbeing?

2. How do the initiatives of the McGrath Foundation reflect health promotion?

3. What other activities could the McGrath Foundation embrace to fill health promotion practices/ direction?

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Activity 3 When breast cancer is

closer to home

Activity instruction:

1. Split the class into groups to work on strategies to help an Australian family who might go through a breast cancer experience. In doing so, ask the groups to consider the experiences that a family might go through if a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer.

2. Remember that some students who have had personal experiences with cancer may find this exercise confronting or upsetting.

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Activity 4

Activity instruction:

1. Ask students to review the attached case study and visit http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au

2. Then, ask them to provide examples of the different sectors of the community involved in working with the McGrath Foundation. Choose three of these sectors and explain how they help to contribute to the success of the McGrath Foundation.

3. Share ideas as a class.