About us
Northern Territory Breast Cancer Voice (NTBCV) is an incorporated, non-political, self-funded Breast Cancer advocacy group of volunteers. NTBCV is a registered charity.
History
Northern Territory Breast Cancer Voice (NTBCV) was started in 1998 by a small group of Darwin-based women determined to improve services for Northern Territorians diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, there was one oncologist but no Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre (AWCCC), no Breast Care Nurses (BCN) or ancillary support groups to assist those diagnosed with breast cancer.
NTBCV Committee
NT Breast Cancer Voice is an association of members interested in promoting breast cancer awareness and advocating for an improvement of services and conditions for Territorians who have had a breast cancer diagnosis.
The NTBCV Executive Committee currently (2025) has 12 members. There is a mix of long standing and younger members and refreshingly including a couple of quite young neophytes.
Our Constitution states our role is:
- To provide Forums to foster an exchange of ideas and information concerning breast cancer.
- To disseminate information about breast cancer.
- To provide advocacy for members through informing and advising policy makers and govemment authorities on matters relating to breast cancer.
- To make public comment on matters relating to breast cancer, resources and related information services.
- To support research and development in issues relating to breast cancer and related conditions.
- To establish links with groups and other stakeholders to raise awareness of best practice.
- To exchange information with and sock representation with other relevant groups.
- To communicate via an Association newsletter.
Logo
The inspiration for the logo came out of combining the various aspects of what we perceived our role would be:
NT - an abstracted desert rose, similar to the NT Flag, but looking closely the centre of the flawer could represent an abstract nipple with breast labula and ducts radiating out
BC - Breast Cancer
V - Voice - we felt our role was to be 'The Voice for those affected by a breast cancer diagnosis
The main body of the logo represents an abstract letter "I" - for Information - distributing information would be one of the major roles.
The curved lettering down the side, spelling out our name, represents a side profile of a woman indicating her breast outline.
The logo was designed by Judy Smith, an NTBCV founding member.
Achievements
My Journey Kit
Since its inception, NTBCV has been involved in many areas of breast cancer advocacy, including developing the original “My Journey Kit”, since adopted and adapted by Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and now available nationally to all men and women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Dragons Abreast
Dragons Abreast advocacy under the incorporation of NTBCV until it took on its own identity in 2006. Dragons Abreast has been a public face for breast cancer demonstrating that there can be a quality of life following a diagnosis, providing not only exercise but a special camaraderie. The first Dragons Abreast dragon boat group began in Darwin in 1998. It quickly spread to become a national phenomena.
Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre
When NT Breast Cancer Voice was established in 1998, breast cancer services in the NT were limited, with women often forced to travel interstate for radiation treatment. Some chose radical surgery to avoid long absences from family. Through years of advocacy and collaboration with health professionals and government, NTBCV helped drive major improvements. A key milestone was the establishment of the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre, now offering comprehensive oncology services, breast care nurses, and support programs—transforming care for women across the Territory.
Advocacy of Herceptin on the PBS
As a member group of BCNA , NTBCV joined the 2001 and 2006 successful national advocacy campaign for life-prolonging drugs such as Herceptin to be included on the PBS, affording equal access for all Australians. There have been changes over the years but equivalent drugs have continued to be subsidised through the PBS for those having treatment for HER-2 positive breast cancer.
Breast Care Nurses and social support groups
As an indirect result of NTBCV’s involvement, Darwin now has a number of Breast Care Nurses and social support groups for breast cancer survivors.
Darwin-based breast cancer forums
NTBCV has hosted several breast cancer forums to support and inform the community. The 2025 “Inform, Reflect, Connect” Forum explored self-care after diagnosis and local breast reconstruction options. In 2022, the “Living Well with Breast Cancer” Forum highlighted wellness strategies, treatment choices, support services, nutrition, physiotherapy, allied health, and exercise programs. These events were made possible thanks to the generous contributions of health professionals who shared their expertise and helped empower those affected by breast cancer