Make a personal difference to breast cancer research

With one in nine Australian women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85, the need for research is more critical than ever before. The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is the leading community-funded organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. This October, which is known as Breast Cancer Awareness month, you can help the NBCF make a personal contribution to breast cancer by joining Register4.Launched on Pink Ribbon Day 2010, Register4 is Australia’s first national online breast cancer research register – and it needs your help. As a Register4 member you can volunteer your time on approved research projects of the highest standard. You will be adding to the knowledge bank about risk factors, prevention, common myths and – who knows – maybe one day, even a cure.

Projects range from filling out a simple questionnaire to something more involved, such as joining an exercise study or providing a sample of blood, urine, saliva or breast tissue. On every project you are invited to participate in the decision to take part is yours and yours alone.

A Community Reference Group was established to ensure Register4 meets the needs of the community. Several members of this group are representatives from the National Women's Alliances including Sajini Sumar from AIRWA, Lesley Young from NRHA and CWA, Dot Henry from NATSIWA and also two women nominated by the YWCA, Vanessa Kehl and Bridie Watts, to ensure young women are represented. This group is chaired by Julia Burns, who was previously Executive Director for the Office for Women.

All Australians aged 18 and over, male or female, and with or without a breast cancer diagnosis, are encouraged to join. Researchers speak often of how long it can take to find the right people to participate in their work and Register4 aims to help speed up the research process so that a cure for breast cancer and better preventative measures can be found.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) also coordinates an Outreach Bureau. This is a network of passionate speakers from across Australia who have been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer. The bureau was established in response to the hundreds of requests NBCF receives every year from community and corporate groups across the country for speakers to address their events. If you would like to request an Ambassador to speak for an event/conference, please contact Sue Cameron National Manager Outreach Bureau, sue.cameron@nbcf.org.au or T: 02 8098 4823

What if there was something about you that could help answer the big questions about breast cancer? Join today at register4.org.au