Consumers have a vital interest in improving all aspects of care for women with breast cancer.
In Australia, the Breast Cancer Support Service has developed a network of volunteer consumers to assist women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and to provide a focus for expressing the views of women with breast cancer. Overseas groups have demonstrated the potential impact of consumers in lobbying for change, raising research funds and providing input into the development of research protocols. In March, the NBCC launched its Consumer Advisory Group, which is chaired by Ms Heather Wain. Ms Wain has been prominent in consumer issues for breast cancer in her role as national chair of the Breast Cancer Support Service for six years, is chair of the Trustees of the Kathleen Cuningham Foundation and is immediate past president of the Australian Cancer Society. We hope it will build on the excellent work of groups like the Breast Cancer Support Service and the Breast Cancer Action Group.