Blush Cancer Care ready for first trip
WOMEN and men undergoing breast cancer treatment from rural and remote areas will be able hear from specialists right at their front door.
It is all part of Blush Cancer Care organised by St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba and St Andrew’s Hospital.
The first trip will be to Dalby on July 13.
Blush’s Dr Sharyn Donaldson said the committee was delighted to be able to provide a day of education and support in Dalby for breast cancer patients and their supporters during the day, followed by a medical forum for GPs and allied health practitioners at night.
“We will cover topics important to all breast cancer survivors discussing issues post diagnosis and acute treatment phases,” she said.
“On site for both the survivor forum and medical forum we will have local and visiting health professionals to discuss wellness post diagnosis and living with breast cancer.”
Local breast cancer survivor Barb Handley will also speak at the forum.
Mrs Handley said she was looking forward to sharing and helping others who are undergoing treatment or who are looking for support.
“Everyone’s journey and their needs are different, so I hope each individual will take away from the day something that will help them, whatever the stage, of their journey - whether it be medical knowledge, a contact for support, sharing of their individual situation, an increased sense of hope or simply knowing they are not alone,” Mrs Handley said.
“And I believe the best advice I can give someone living in a more remote area is to find out what assistance is available to them as support is out there.”
Topics that are to be covered at the forums include the most recent information about surgical management, oncology and radiotherapy management and the pathology involved in the management of acute breast cancer.
The Dalby forum will be followed by a trip to Warwick, Goondiwindi, St George and Roma in August.