| dc.description.abstract | This paper provides a review of the existing research on women’s experience of breast
cancer in rural communities. It includes a total of 46 studies that used quantitative and qualitative
research methods. In the review of the literature, the challenges identified for rural women with
breast cancer include: travel issues; financial hardships; work-related issues; impacts on family
members and caregivers; psychosocial adjustment; and information needs. The findings indicate
that rural and urban women often receive different treatments for breast cancer; that access to
health care services is more limited in rural communities; and that rural women and their
families have a considerable need for support and information. Nonetheless, rural women with
breast cancer are able to rely on friends and family, peer supports, doctors, and informal
networks in their close-knit communities. Further, utilization of health care delivery approaches
such as mobile breast screening, telemedicine and teleoncology have the potential to increase
rural women’s access to health services. The review discusses the practice and policy
implications of these findings as well as suggestions for future research. | |
