Improving information and supportive care to women in rural areas
Breast Cancer Network Australia and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre are collaborating to deliver the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Program, funded by the Australian Government. The program has a number of elements with emphasis on:
- improving access to information for women, families and health professionals
- using technology to overcome some of the challenges of distance, provide information, facilitate social support networks and link families during periods of treatment away from home
- building capacity of health professionals and peer-support groups to support women and their families
Events
Providing a woman with quality information will help to empower her to be an active participant in her breast cancer journey. The program includes a series of information and networking forums in regional areas, conducted by BCNA around the theme of 'living well beyond breast cancer'. The forums provide people with up-to-date information on breast cancer treatment and care, services in their area and the opportunity to explore issues associated with emotional well-being.
NBOCC (now Cancer Australia) has hosted a series of summits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women diagnosed with breast cancer and the health workers who support them. The summits provide information about breast cancer in a culturally relevant manner. The program covers information on the incidence of breast cancer, myths, seeking treatment and working with health professionals, and finding emotional support, particularly when away from home.
Connecting with others via new technology
A trial of the use of new communication technologies, such as Internet voice calls, by women from rural areas who away from home for treatment was conducted in 2010. The project, known as 'Stay in Touch' facilitates regular face-to-face communication between a woman and her family through regular online video communication. The woman staying away from home is provided with a small, light laptop incorporating an in-built camera and access to wireless broadband. The family at home are also provided with a laptop and internet access as required. The program allows for one 20 minute video call per week day, or up to one hour and 40 minutes of calls per week, for the family unit throughout the radiotherapy treatment period.
The development of the BCNA website and our online community are additional components of the program.
Professional education
Using web-conferencing and satellite broadcasts, NBOCC offered a number of interactive education sessions to large and small audiences of health professionals in rural areas on a range of topics related to breast cancer treatment and care.
Developing peer-support
BCNA links over 250 peer-support groups around Australia. Two-thirds of these groups are outside major cities and provide vital face-to-face support for thousands of women during their breast cancer journey. To further strengthen the capacity of peer-support leaders, BCNA hosted a 3-day summit in August 2009 and will be training women from rural areas interested in being 'champions' for breast cancer in their community.
BCNA and NBOCC (now Cancer Australia) greatly appreciate support of the Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, in delivering this joint program.
