DISTANCE is still proving to be the biggest hurdle for cancer patients in regional and rural areas, with a new report revealing an “alarming” divide between the city and the bush.
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The release of a new rural health report from the Garvan Research Foundation “confirms the further a cancer patient lives from a major city, the more likely they are to die within five years of diagnosis.”
While the report painted a stark picture, local organisations and doctors have said a facility like the North West Cancer Centre goes a long way to bridging the divide.
Tamworth GP Dr Casey Sullivan said the support the centre provide “cannot be overstated”.
“The Northwest Cancer Centre is an incredible resource for Tamworth and its surrounding areas,” Dr Sullivan said.
“The specialists, nursing staff, admin, support staff and volunteers who work there have exceptional skills and talents.”
The Garvan report pointed to the prevalence of high-risk factors in rural areas as another issue widening the cancer divide.
Dr Sullivan said country people need to get better at presenting to their GP earlier.
“People who have concerning symptoms may not see a doctor until they are very sick and treatment options may be reduced as the cancer may have progressed too far,” she said.
“The key answer to this is do not put anything off, if you are worried go straight to your GP.”
While Tamworth’s cancer centre is helping to treat the region, distance and related costs still proves to be a burden. Cancer Council New England North West spokeswoman Dimity Betts said the organisation is doing its part to “lessen the divide”.
Mrs Betts said the Cancer Council provides “cost neutral accommodation” for patients through Inala House.
“It’s not often we have to say no, but we’re often at capacity,” she said.
Mrs Betts said the organisation also has an accommodation agreement with Ibis Hotels to assist patients who might need to travel to the city for treatment, but she said the North West Cancer Centre eased the burden for the region. “The day it was built it did lessen the gap,” she said.
“We’re lucky to have the service.” Garvan Research Foundation chief executive officer Andrew Giles said the urban and rural health gap was “unacceptable”.
“If we don’t act now, it will continue to grow,” Mr Giles said.