Vicki Durston: Transforming breast cancer care – prioritising women’s needs
Vicki Durston, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services at Breast Cancer Network Australia, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Transforming Breast Cancer Care: Prioritising Women’s Needs.
The ‘Advancing Breast Cancer Care in Europe’ report, with insights from 75 organisations, highlights the urgent need to address the unique challenges faced by women in breast cancer care. Here’s how we make a difference:
The report is clear: women-centric care isn’t just important – it’s essential. It’s time to move beyond vague ‘person-centered’ notions and adopt bold, personalised care models that truly prioritise women’s diverse challenges.
Unique Needs Highlighted in the Report:
- Financial and Workforce Impacts: As Stuart McIntosh, Professor of Surgical Oncology at Queen’s University Belfast, notes, ‘Even in countries like the UK where universal health coverage is available, women often drop their income bracket following a cancer diagnosis.’ The report emphasises the critical need for better vocational support and financial planning for women affected by breast cancer.
- Fertility and Reproductive Health: Breast cancer treatments can significantly impact fertility, and there is a critical need for support around fertility preservation and reproductive health.
- Menopausal Symptoms: Many women face treatment-induced menopause, which brings additional physical and emotional challenges.
- Psychological Support: The report highlights a lack of adequate psychological care, noting the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among women undergoing treatment.
- Chronic Pain and Rehabilitation: Women often suffer from treatment-related chronic pain and conditions like lymphoedema, requiring comprehensive rehabilitation services that are currently insufficient.
Amplifying Voices: Real progress means putting women, especially those who have lived through breast cancer, at the decision-making table. Their insights are vital for driving systemic change and crafting policies and care models that actually work.
Data-Driven Revolution: Reports like this are instrumental in shaping policies and care strategies that genuinely address women’s needs. We will continue to leverage these insights to drive meaningful change in breast cancer care.”
More posts featuring Vicki Durston.
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ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
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ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
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Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
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OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
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Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023