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Welcome to the Rural and Remote e-Bulletin page. This page includes recent research summaries, abstracts and resources that may be of interest. To return to the main e-Bulletin page, please click here. To receive e-Bulletins via email, please click here to sign up.
OCTOBER 2008
Information for rural women only a click away…
BCNA understands that for many rural women, hearing about others’ experiences with breast cancer can be empowering and can reduce feelings of isolation. A recent personal story, published in the Victorian Rural Women’s Network magazine, showed how a rural woman from Victoria successfully used the internet to find current information about breast cancer and also to network with others during her breast cancer journey.
For the full article please click here
For personal stories from BCNA members from rural areas, please click here.
Rural women’s uptake of radiation therapy in the US
Recent research from the US has found that there are no significant differences in the use of radiation therapy between urban and rural populations. The study aimed to find out how rural women with breast cancer access radiation treatment, and if a lack of access contributed to higher rates of mastectomy for these women. As part of the study, the researchers looked at thousands of records from a central database. They found that of the 59,663 women who had lumpectomy, approximately seven per cent were from rural areas. Of the 19,488 women who had mastectomy with radiation therapy approximately ten per cent were from rural areas. For more information on this research please click here.
Online information benefits chronically ill women
A group of chronically ill women who participated in a 22 week computer-based online support group gained important health knowledge as a result, research from the US has shown. One hundred and twenty-six chronically ill women participated in the research, and were assigned to either a group who underwent intensive sessions, or a group that participated in less-intensive sessions. While both groups benefited from participation, the less intensive sessions could be of more benefit to women with chronic conditions. For more information, click here.
AUGUST 2008
US study to look at issues facing rural women with breast cancer
A $2.6 million dollar study will be undertaken in the US to look at the needs of rural and remote women with breast cancer. The research will consider survivorship issues for women, including quality of life issues and access to medical and support services. The findings from this research may be relevant for Australian women with breast cancer living in rural and remote areas. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of this research. For more information on this study please click here.
Rural health conference to be held in Cairns in 2009
The National Rural Health Conference will be held in Cairns on 17-20 May 2009. While the full details of the conference are yet to be finalised, a number of themes will be covered including indigenous health, community engagement and health service delivery in rural and remote areas. This year, for the first time, there will be a special community and health day. Health professionals and consumers are encouraged to attend. For more information on the conference, please click here.
Rural and remote women have higher rates of mastectomy
A US-based study reported that women from rural areas are more likely to have a mastectomy than their urban counterparts. The study looked at the records of 137,303 women, including approximately 20,000 records from rural women. According to the study, the rate of mastectomy was higher for women from rural areas versus women from city areas, with 59.90% of rural women opting for mastectomy versus 44.92% of urban women. For more information, please click here.
JULY 2008
Attitudes of advanced Australian medical oncology trainees to rural practice
A recent survey of the attitudes of advanced oncology trainees in Australia to rural practice has unearthed some interesting findings. Of the oncology trainees that participated in the survey, 58% had considered rural practice. Those with a rural family background, not surprisingly, were more likely to have considered rural practice. The view the complete abstract, please click here.
Study confirms benefits of access to web- based health information for rural women
Rural women with breast cancer derive benefit from having access to web-based health information, according to recent US research. A study involving 144 rural women on low-incomes in Wisconsin showed that this group could benefit from online resources. Lead researcher, Brett Shaw, noted the importance of sharing personal stories. He said, “It is interesting to learn that the experiential information such as personal stories from other patients may be among the content that patients want most.” For the full abstract please click here.
Update on the Moving Forward Study
Queensland researcher, Jane Masters, is leading the Moving Forward Study which aims to explore the experiences of follow-up cancer care for women who have had breast cancer whilst living in rural, remote or regional Australia. A number of BCNA’s Review and Survey group members were invited to participate in this research project. The study is being run through the University of Queensland’s Cancer Prevention Research Centre. Results from the study will be available later in the year. We will keep you up-to-date with the progress of this study through future e-Bulletins.
Links to other e-Bulletin Research Sections
The information contained in this e-Bulletin has been gathered from various sources to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest relevant news and information. The contents of the listings are not necessarily endorsed by BCNA.
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