NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF RURAL AND REMOTE WOMEN TRAVELING TO THE CITY FOR BREAST-CANCER-TREATMENT

The purpose of this study was to assess the needs of rural women trave lling to the city for breast cancer treatment. Participants included 8 0 women aged between 34 and 80 years living in rural NSW and South Aus tralia who travelled for breast cancer treatment. After completing tre atment, participants completed a brief telephone survey on the needs o f rural women travelling for treatment. Findings revealed that more th an 90% of women travelled for treatment due to the lack of available t reatment centres closer to home and on average they spent 6.79 weeks ( SD=4.73) away from their home and family. Findings also showed that 89 % identified specific problems for rural women, with social and practi cal support being primary concerns. Although the majority of women wer e provided with some type of social support, only 39% of women receive d financial assistance and 19% of these women had trouble claiming mon ey for which they were eligible. Recommendations of appropriate interv entions to ensure equity in the availability and access to breast canc er treatment for all women are discussed.