CAMROSE, Alta. – There is a lack of information on breast cancer in rural areas, says the co-ordinator of a program on breast cancer information.
“There’s no surprise, newly diagnosed women in rural areas have the most difficulty accessing information from a local source,” Joanne Pawelek told the Alberta Women’s Institute convention.
Pawelek is the co-ordinator of Breast Cancer InfoLink for the Prairies and Northwest Territories, a federal-government program designed to increase access and awareness of breast cancer information.
“They’re absolutely hungry for information,” Pawelek told the recent conference at Augustana University College here.
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During the first half of the five-year program, Pawelek and other co-ordinators across Canada tried to identify what information was in the community, where women were getting their information and what information women wanted on breast cancer.
Most said the first place they turn for breast cancer information is their family doctor. But often the doctor knows little more than the patient about breast cancer or support groups in the area.
“Quite often the women are at the same level as the physician,” she said.
The rural women interviewed also told Pawelek they want to get information from the health nurse or a community person, in addition to their doctors.
Because of the lack of information in rural areas, Pawelek has organized a kit on how to become a rural breast cancer co-ordinator. These women wouldn’t offer medical advice, but would be able to organize a support group, gather pamphlets, brochures and medical research in one spot.
“It’s such a scary time we want to make it as easy as possible for women to get the information.”
Almost 18 women turned out to a recent day-long session in Peace River, Alta. to learn how to set up a breast cancer co-ordination centre in their area.
The breast cancer InfoLink phone number is 1-800-555-8698.
