Find Cancer EarlyKaren Hansen

Find Cancer Early Project OfficerNorthern Wheatbelt

The Partnership

• University of Western Australia,

• Cancer Council WA,

• Department of Health WA

Have joined to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of four main cancers : colorectal, prostate, breast, lung in rural and regional Western Australia.

Why Find Cancer Early

The earlier cancer is found,the greater the chance of

successful treatment

Find Cancer EarlyCampaign Aims

• Raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the four common cancers:• Bowel• Lung• Prostate• Breast

• Help people to overcome the barriers and excuses for seeking help and tell their doctor

Find Cancer Early- How?

• People• Karen Hansen

• Community engagement• Activities, events, presentations• Campaign materials - posters, postcards,

newspaper adverts

• DVD and Website – www.findcancerearly.com.au

Cancer in Regional WA• Rural patients with cancer have

approximately 20% worse 5 year survival than metropolitan cancer patients for common cancers

• This is an area of national priority• Rural Cancer Patients also present

later to their GP

Cancer Statistics

• If caught early the average survival from cancer is 84% compared to 14% if it has spread to other parts of the body.

• This is why our find cancer early message is really important.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the four common cancers

– Breast– Bowel– Lung– Prostate

• If over 40, with any symptoms for more than 4 weeks Tell your doctor

Key message:

Regional Education Officer (REO)

• New position starting early 2014 in Wheatbelt

• REOs are located in major regional centres throughout WA, ensure that cancer prevention and early detection messages are delivered across WA.

Capacity building

• As a local face of the CCWA, work in collaboration with local agencies to promote healthy lifestyle choices and improve cancer prevention through systematic changes in policy and practice.

Community Education• Delivering seminars and workshops on cancer prevention and early detection at a range of community settings including schools and workplaces. •Topics include skin cancer prevention, healthy eating and drinking, maintaining a healthy body weight, physical activity, quitting smoking, alcohol programs and early detection of cancer

Professional Education

•Working with CCWA staff as well as local health agencies to facilitate the delivery of professional education sessions on cancer related issues. •Targeted to groups such as general practitioners, health promotion professionals and allied health workers.

Resources

• A wide range of information and educational resources are available to the general community, schools, workplaces and local government.

Karen HansenWheatbelt region

Phone: 9690 1746khansen@cancerwa.asn.au

For more information: