Support and bring awareness to the high risk breast cancer paddlers and to amend the definition of “breast cancer paddlers” to include High Risk Breast paddlers. 

The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission (IBCPC) set international rules and regulations that the regions, countries, and local festival's follow and are influenced by. 

We are petitioning for 20% of the dragon boat can be High-Risk Breast Cancer Paddlers (HRBCP, also known as Previvors) in all Breast Cancer Paddler's dragon boat  festivals.

We plan to bring this to the next IBCPC Congress in France 2026, for all IBCPC members to vote. 

Link to Living Beyond Risk Documentary:

https://youtu.be/YWwdOz10RPI?feature=shared

Facebook Page : Previvor Warriors 

We define an HRBCP as someone whom has been diagnosed with high risk for breast cancer by a medical professional. 

Which could include:

-with the Breast Cancer genetics mutation, or

-diagnosed by a Certified Genetic Counselor (due to family history) as having a high risk of breast cancer, or 

- who has had a prophylactic mastectomy/lumpectomy based on a doctors recommendation.

KEY GOALS:

1. Update the IDBF definition of Breast Cancer Paddlers to include high-risk breast cancer paddlers. 

2. Amend IBCPC Constitution to include 20% of crew can be high-risk Breast cancer paddlers.

IBCPC Constitution “Breast Cancer Survivor Crew /Team” means all members of the crew/team must have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, that is paddlers, drummer and steersperson.  

3. Amend IBCPC Constitution to include high-risk breast cancer paddlers.

IBCPC Constitution "Paddler” means a person who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and who is one member of a Crew and includes the Crew’s drummer and the steersperson.

Reasoning/supporting information:

1.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan:  "The goal is to eventually have every team member a person diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Indeed, for the IBCPC Festivals all members of the crews must be breast cancer survivors and this includes the drummer and steersperson."

·      Why is the goal to have more people diagnosed with cancer? HRBCPs who have been diagnosed with high-risk breast cancer and receive treatment drastically reduced the  risk/deaths and continue to do so each year.  

·      The word ‘survivors’ originated from the Latin word ‘survivere’, which is a combination of ‘sur’ meaning ‘over’ or ‘above’ and ‘vivere’ meaning ‘to live’. So, ‘survivor’ literally means ‘one who continues to live or exist, especially in spite of hardship or adversity’. It has been used for centuries to describe individuals who have endured difficult circumstances or overcome challenges. 

HRBCPs continue to live, in spite of hardship and adversity.

·      The word ‘diagnosed’ refers to the identification or determination of the nature and cause of a disease, injury, or problem, typically through examination of symptoms and other relevant factors. It is commonly used in medical contexts, where healthcare professionals diagnose illnesses or conditions based on various criteria such as symptoms, medical history, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests. 

HRBCPs are diagnosed high-risk by a Genetic Counsellor.

·      In a medical context, when we say ‘treat’ it means to provide medical care or therapy to address a health condition or alleviate symptoms. This can involve various interventions such as medication, surgery, physical therapy, counseling, or lifestyle changes. The goal of medical treatment is typically to improve the patient’s health, alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and ultimately, promote recovery or manage the condition effectively. 

HRBCPs received treatment which includes continual mammography screening or MRI, prophylactic oophorectomy, and preventive mastectomy.

 
2.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan: "IBCPC was formed with the mission to encourage the establishment of breast cancer dragon boat teams, within the framework of participation and inclusiveness."

·      IBCPC is not encouraging or inclusive; they fail to consider, involve, or accommodate all relevant individuals that have suffered physically and emotionally due to breast cancer, which makes HRBCP feel exclusion and marginalization. This makes us feel that we are not a part of the team. Breast cancer is a spectrum from prevention/early detection to stage 4/death. 

·      The unification of previvors and survivors in representation enhances support systems, advocacy, education, and research, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive and effective approach to combating breast cancer.

3.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan: "Our philosophy is that no one is left on the dock and therefore there are paddlers ranging from those who just want to have a quiet fun paddle right through to those who want to be competitive. "

·      IBCPC is leaving HRBCPs on the dock, alone.

·      HRBCPs share experience and resiliency- Both previvors and survivors demonstrate remarkable resilience and courage in their proactive and reactive approaches to breast cancer. By uniting them, we acknowledge the emotional and psychological battles they face, fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support.

4.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan:   "Vision: IBCPC is recognized globally as the leader in support of those diagnosed with breast cancer to gain a healthy lifestyle through participation in dragon boating."

·      HRBCP should also be supported to gain a healthy lifestyle through participation in dragon boating.

·      Previvors share commonality with survivors in their resilience, courage, and determination to combat breast cancer. Both groups often engage in similar emotional and psychological battles, advocate for awareness and research, and build supportive communities to inspire and assist others facing similar challenges.

5.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan: " Governance: Provide the foundation for IBCPC to operate at the highest level of integrity. Ensure the organisation remains sustainable for the future."

·      HRBCPs are the way of the future, we are the meaning of sustainability; early intervention and prevention saves millions of preventable deaths. Live beyond Risk. 

·      Currently, as we enter an era of personalized medicine, there are continual rapid advances in research in genetic testing, targeted cancer treatments, and risk reduction strategies.

·      As greater numbers of women are diagnosed early, and preventive measures taken before the onset of breast cancer, the fewer the numbers of women who will be later diagnosed with the disease.

·      We are already starting to witness a shift in numbers from ‘Survivors’ of breast cancer, to ‘Previvors” who have taken a proactive approach to managing their health and preventing breast cancer before is onset.

6.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan: "Expand and continually improve the range of services and programs we offer to meet the needs of paddlers affected by breast cancer."

·      As technology advances more and more HRBCP are being diagnosed and treated every day. If the IBCPC doesn’t continually improve with the current times, there will be fewer and fewer paddlers left to compete.  

·       A unified front enhances advocacy efforts. When previvors and survivors join forces, their collective voice is stronger, more influential, and more capable of driving policy changes, increasing funding for research, and promoting public health initiatives.

 
7.    IBCPC Current Strategic Plan: "All members and the wider community engage and communicate effectively with our member groups. Offer opportunities for members to participate in breast cancer paddling events."

·      HRBCP are communicating that we want to be included and be offered the opportunity to paddle in all breast cancer events. 

·      Community Empowerment: Uniting previvors and survivors fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment. Knowing that they are part of a larger, supportive community can inspire individuals to advocate for themselves and others, promoting a culture of proactive health management and mutual aid.