Rural cancer referrals hit a wall

The figures were released to coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

RFDS general manager health services Linda Cutler said breast cancer was the most commonly-diagnosed cancer among women in Australia, with one in eight set to develop it during their lifetimes, 30 per cent of them being women who lived outside major cities.

She said 1 per cent of men would also develop breast cancer.

In the past 12 months McGrath Breast Care nurse Jo Beven made 188 patient contacts and made 403 phone contacts, a 178 per cent increase on last year. In her first year she made 132 consultations in just three locations.

"The RFDS is fortunate to have a McGrath Breast Care nurse supported by the McGrath Foundation and the fundraising efforts of Elders staff nationally," Ms Cutler said.

"Jo Beven has been with us for the past three years and supports those in rural and remote areas experiencing breast cancer through home visits.

"The world's first 'flying McGrath Breast Care Nurse' also holds clinics in 18 remote locations across three states, a huge area covering 640,000 square kilometres, and maintains contact with diagnosed patients in various stages of treatment and gives advice over the phone."

Broken Hill-based Ms Beven felt the sharp increase in referrals was due to a number of factors, including that local women were recognising the importance of having more regular screening mammograms.

"I have a very good working relationship with BreastScreen NSW, who I work with on assessment clinic days," she said.

"It is a government-funded program which provides a free screening mammogram every two years to women from the age of 40.

"This provides a good introduction for my RFDS work and meeting people at the point of diagnosis enables me to better support them on what can be a long and difficult journey."

"The RFDS is also being more proactive, using technology, such as text, Skype and email, to maintain patient contact and provide information.

"During National Breast Cancer Awareness month I'm encouraging women to download the McGrath Foundation's Curve Lurve app to help them check their breasts in three simple steps that we call look, lurve, learn.

"While all these positive efforts have increased referrals, they have mostly been from populated areas. Referrals are at a minimum for outback women with no new ones received for over 18 months.

"Ensuring they are aware of and making use of the services I offer is an ongoing challenge."

The RFDS message to women during National Breast Cancer Awareness month was to regularly self-examine, have a mammogram every two years from age 40 and to go for regular medical checks, particularly if there was a history of breast cancer in the family.

"They should contact their doctor if they have any concerns," Ms Beven said.

"Awareness and early detection can make all the difference".