THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
15 August 2009
GETTING BETTER SUPPORT TO RURAL WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
Women in rural Australia diagnosed with breast cancer will now have access to better
information and support with more than $2.7 million of Federal funding directed to the
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre and the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Announcing the investment at the Regional and Rural Day of the Breast Cancer Network
national summit in Melbourne today, the Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren
Snowdon, said the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer project
offers support to both rural women with cancer, and rural health professionals.
“The Rudd Government is committed to supporting all women with breast cancer, and this
funding brings together two important breast cancer organisations to deliver practical
initiatives to help rural women, their families and carers,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Making available online video technology so that women away from home for treatment can
see and talk with their family; ensuring rural health professionals, including Indigenous
health workers, have access to information on the latest breast cancer treatments; and forums
such as today are just some of the ways this project will make a real difference.”
The Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer project complements
other Rudd Government breast cancer initiatives including:
•
$120 million for the latest digital mammography equipment for BreastScreen
Australia;
•
$168 million for the continued funding of the Herceptin program, which provides
Herceptin for the treatment of people with metastatic breast cancer;
•
$31 million over five years to reimburse external breast prostheses for women
who have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer; and
•
more than $28 million in other measures to assist in the treatment and
management of breast cancer including $12 million to the McGrath Foundation to
employ breast care nurses now located in 44 communities across Australia.
In addition, the Rudd Labor Government has committed $560 million to build a network of
ten best-practice regional cancer centres, to help improve access and support for cancer
patients in rural and regional Australia.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and together we will fight it, and win.”
Media contact: Kate Sieper 02 6277 7427 and 0488 484 689.
NEWS 
