The Trouble With Silence
THE Queensland Cancer Fund has undertaken the first study into regional survival rates for different cancer types.
Although the study reveals that Central Queensland has a lower than average rate of breast cancer, there is a worrying trend that locals have higher rates of melanoma and lower chances of surviving colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
The report also suggests that cancer patient survival rate increases directly correlate to distances from metropolitan health facilities, with areas in Northern Queensland suffering from the most devastating cancer mortality rates.
Helen Dempster from Longreach was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42-years-old and believes the answer to turning the statistics around lies with public attitudes.
“Early detection for breast cancer is vital and to enable this, people need to become more aware of their own health,” she said.
“Notice the changes and be proactive.”
Mrs Dempster also points out a tendency for rural communities to adhere to the “conspiracy of silence”.
“It is hard to educate people because they don’t want to talk about these issues,” Mrs Dempster said.
“People out here are really private, especially the older generation.
“I think we need to use the services that are provided to us, like the Mobile Breast Screen Unit that visits every two years, or we might lose them.”
While every incidence of cancer presents a different experience, Mrs Dempster’s case is similar in some respects to that of Pauline Peake, another local cancer survivor.
“Early detection is the key to beating this disease, however it would be a combination of factors in the West,” Mrs Peake reinforced.
“Awareness campaigns and health promotion could be used to help curb the statistics in this report.”
Mrs Peake was diagnosed with breast cancer last August and has come to understand first hand the tyranny of distance.
“It is more difficult for people with cancer in the bush, purely based on distance,” Mrs Peake said.
Mrs Dempster also said her choice of treatment was influenced by her locality.
“After finding out about the cancer, the surgeon presented me with options, however because of where I live, I decided to have my breast removed,” Mrs Dempster said.
“If I was to choose other forms of treatment it could involve radiation or chemotherapy and I would have to travel to Brisbane, leaving behind my family of young boys.
“I don’t have an extended family in Longreach to care for them, and my husband works.
“I had had my children, I was comfortable with my body and the surgery wasn’t a big issue for me - however I do appreciate it is an issue for others.”
Mrs Peake concured: “You can access some support out here, which in my case was wonderful, but many have to travel to get more specialised care.
“In saying that, it is wonderful to be able to access chemotherapy at Longreach Hospital.”
Longreach Hospital’s director of nursing Maree Rankin said the availability of chemotherapy was dependant on a number of factors, such as staff expertise and cancer type.
“The majority of the chemotherapy we offer is palliative,” Ms Rankin explained to The Longreach Leader.
“It is to the benefit of the patient to receive treatment surrounded by their community and their family, without the need to travel.”
Although the study reveals that Central Queensland has a lower than average rate of breast cancer, there is a worrying trend that locals have higher rates of melanoma and lower chances of surviving colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
The report also suggests that cancer patient survival rate increases directly correlate to distances from metropolitan health facilities, with areas in Northern Queensland suffering from the most devastating cancer mortality rates.
Helen Dempster from Longreach was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42-years-old and believes the answer to turning the statistics around lies with public attitudes.
“Early detection for breast cancer is vital and to enable this, people need to become more aware of their own health,” she said.
“Notice the changes and be proactive.”
Mrs Dempster also points out a tendency for rural communities to adhere to the “conspiracy of silence”.
“It is hard to educate people because they don’t want to talk about these issues,” Mrs Dempster said.
“People out here are really private, especially the older generation.
“I think we need to use the services that are provided to us, like the Mobile Breast Screen Unit that visits every two years, or we might lose them.”
While every incidence of cancer presents a different experience, Mrs Dempster’s case is similar in some respects to that of Pauline Peake, another local cancer survivor.
“Early detection is the key to beating this disease, however it would be a combination of factors in the West,” Mrs Peake reinforced.
“Awareness campaigns and health promotion could be used to help curb the statistics in this report.”
Mrs Peake was diagnosed with breast cancer last August and has come to understand first hand the tyranny of distance.
“It is more difficult for people with cancer in the bush, purely based on distance,” Mrs Peake said.
Mrs Dempster also said her choice of treatment was influenced by her locality.
“After finding out about the cancer, the surgeon presented me with options, however because of where I live, I decided to have my breast removed,” Mrs Dempster said.
“If I was to choose other forms of treatment it could involve radiation or chemotherapy and I would have to travel to Brisbane, leaving behind my family of young boys.
“I don’t have an extended family in Longreach to care for them, and my husband works.
“I had had my children, I was comfortable with my body and the surgery wasn’t a big issue for me - however I do appreciate it is an issue for others.”
Mrs Peake concured: “You can access some support out here, which in my case was wonderful, but many have to travel to get more specialised care.
“In saying that, it is wonderful to be able to access chemotherapy at Longreach Hospital.”
Longreach Hospital’s director of nursing Maree Rankin said the availability of chemotherapy was dependant on a number of factors, such as staff expertise and cancer type.
“The majority of the chemotherapy we offer is palliative,” Ms Rankin explained to The Longreach Leader.
“It is to the benefit of the patient to receive treatment surrounded by their community and their family, without the need to travel.”
posted by dr mcgillicudy's cudsong at 10:01 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home