Rural And Remote Cancer Survivors Focus Of New Study

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - A new two-year study being launched in northern B.C. hopes to better meet the needs of cancer patients and survivors living in rural and remote communities...

This year, there are an estimated 10,500 cancer survivors living across the region.  Statistics from 2009, show approximately 1,100 people received treatment through ten community cancer clinics across the north, in places like: Dawson Creek, Prince George, Vanderhoof, Kitimat and Terrace.

In announcing the study, the Regional Director for the Northern Cancer Control Strategy, Dr. Ronald Chapman, says, "The needs of patients and survivors in more remote regions such as Northern B.C. are often quite different than those living in more urban areas, which typically offer great access to services."

 “Through this study, researchers will be working closely with local cancer care professionals to develop a service delivery model that not only meets their unique community needs, but which also has the potential to be used by other rural communities in Canada,” says Dr. Chapman.

Northern Health, the University Hospital of Northern B.C. and the B.C. Cancer Agency are partnering on the study that's being funded by a $213-thousand dollar grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada.  In the first phase (year one), researchers will assess the un-met care needs of Northern survivors through interviews with health care professionals and focus groups with survivors to be held in Dawson Creek, Smithers, Terrace, and Vanderhoof. Two First Nations communities, Takla Landing and Tsay Keh village, will also be visited.

The second year will involve testing a survivorship care plan to determine the most appropriate ways to offer survivors living in smaller communitiesin the north both medical and practical support after active treatment is complete.

“As the number of cancer survivors in the North increases, due to advances in screening and treatment, their care needs after treatment will be an important part of the cancer service continuum,” says Dr. Amanda Ward, research scientist in cancer rehabilitation at the BC Cancer Agency and one of the principal investigators of this research study.  “The survivorship care plan will address the distinctive needs of Northern survivors, including follow-up strategies for monitoring the potential side effects of cancer and its treatment, and provision of information about supportive care resources and services in the North.”

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