Monday 25 October 2010
Of the 14,000 Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer this year, 30% live outside a major metropolitan city. As well as the usual challenges faced by women with breast cancer these women face additional challenges due to their geographical location in gaining access to information, support and treatment services.
Today at the Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Sydney more than 800 people from the political, corporate, health and media sectors will come together to hear about meeting the challenges for women with breast cancer in rural Australia.
Due to the complexity of cancer treatment and the location of many specialist cancer services in metropolitan or major regional areas, many rural women need to travel away from home for at least some of their care.
Dr Helen Zorbas, Chief Executive Officer at National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)*, explains that women with breast cancer in rural Australia may make treatment decisions based on practical or logistical factors such as time spent away from home, rather than the evidence about best practice care.
"Although breast conserving treatment and mastectomy are equally effective in the treatment of many women with early-stage breast cancer, women in rural areas are significantly more likely to undergo mastectomy compared to women in cities," said Dr Zorbas.
"Women who choose breast conserving treatment usually also require radiotherapy, which may mean six weeks away from home. Remembering that 25% of these women are under 50 years and may have young or adolescent children at home, means there are additional factors these women need to consider in deciding treatment," Dr Zorbas continued.
Decisions about breast reconstruction also vary with geographic location. The proportion of women who have a breast reconstruction following mastectomy is approximately three times higher in women from major cities compared with women from regional and remote areas.
Through the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Program, funded by the Australian Government, NBOCC* is undertaking three streams of work to support women from rural Australia diagnosed with breast cancer and the health professionals who care for them:
- Providing the latest information on advances in breast cancer care for rural heatlh professionals through educational initiatives
- Linking families during treatment via 'Stay in Touch'
- Improving knowledge and skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women and health professionals
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* is funded by the Australian Government and works with consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve care and cancer control in breast and ovarian cancer.
Media contact:
Erin Sharp 0458 900 777