To use the private messaging system just type the name of the person you wish to message in the box marked 'send a private message to' The message will then appear in the discussion thread where you have posted but only be visible to you and the person to whom you have sent the message.
Thankyou for your query regarding private messages. I can confirm that the Breast Cancer Care moderators will monitor private messages on a random basis.
Private should mean just that - private. Surely, if a member uses this new system inappropriately, all the recipient has to do is to forward the offending material to a moderator on BCC.
Just think this new system should have been thought through more thoroughly.
It's a shame ..it's not a very private messaging service at all. I'm also surprised we don't seem to be able to opt out of receiving messages. With the old contact buttons you were able to choose whether you wanted to receive messages.