title: Assessing the practical and psychosocial needs of rural women with early breast cancer in Australia.
abstract: The purpose of the current study was to assess the practical and psychosocial needs of rural women with early breast cancer in Australia and recommend strategies to ensure equity in availability and access to cancer treatment for all women. A random sample of 204 rural women diagnosed with early breast cancer was recruited to participate in a telephone survey via state and territory cancer registries. Although the majority of women were satisfied with their provision of information overall, less than a third of participants were provided with specific information on assistance for rural women. Findings also revealed that only 47% of the women who had to travel for treatment received financial assistance, and 13% of these women had difficulty organizing or claiming financial assistance. Furthermore, only 10% of women found social workers to be a source of support.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005378:Financial Support; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012423:Rural Health; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D014195:Travel / Q000191:economics; D014932:Women's Health Services