Distance an added hurdle for cancer sufferers

Two-thirds of Australians with lymphoma living in regional areas are unable to access treatment for their condition within their local region or town, new research has found.

Of more than 7000 Australians diagnosed with lymphoma each year, almost 1800 will lose their life to the disease.

Two-thirds of Australians with lymphoma living in regional and rural areas are unable to access treatment for their condition within their local region or town, new research has found.

A first-of-its-kind survey by Lymphoma Australia also ­revealed more than one in three people with the disease, the most common cancer in 19 to 29-year-olds, said the distance to treatment centres prevented them from receiving care. Of more than 7000 Australians diagnosed with lymphoma each year, almost 1800 will lose their life to the disease.

Lymphoma Australia chief executive Sharon Winton said that where someone lived should not “dictate” their survival from such a disease.

“It is essential we find ways to promote greater access to support, treatment and awareness nationally, to ensure every person with lymphoma receives a prompt diagnosis and access to the best care,” she said.

Ms Winton said the shortage of regional GPs, which were often people’s first point of call with health concerns, exacerbated the problem. “Depending on where you’re located, you will have a much harder journey than someone in the city,” she said.

Allison Barraclough, a haematologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, said cancer patients were waiting weeks to see GPs, with the worsening shortages ­creating serious concern for patient outcomes.

“Rural patients with cancer are already 35 per cent more ­likely to die within five years of ­diagnosis than patients living in cities,” she said.

Dr Barraclough, who flies out to the WA regional town of Kalgoorlie to provide care, said ensuring health centres stayed open, funding staff retention programs and educating regional patients about their options for care were all critical to solving the issue.

“People will come to see me (in Kalgoorlie) but the moment I say ‘you should go to Perth for a scan’ they say ‘no I’m not going to do it’,” she said. “Improving education and health literacy for ­patients and seeing why they don’t want to engage in healthcare and what the limitations to that are is important.”

Olivia Richards, a 22-year-old in the Hawkesbury area of NSW diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma in April, said the physical and emotional toll of travel added to the challenges of battling her condition.

“It was a big struggle for me and my family,” she said. “After chemo you’re so nauseous you just want to get to bed, but you’ve got to drive the hour or so home. I’ve spoken to people who have had to relocate for chemotherapy and I just can’t imagine not being at home while dealing with all this.”