Poster Presentation 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference

Exploring the experiences and unmet needs of people with metastatic breast cancer living in regional Western Australia: The healthcare professional perspective. (#90)

Moira O'Connor 1 , Kaela Birkin 1 , Georgia Halkett 2 , Chandrika Gibson 3
  1. School of Population Health, Discipline of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  3. Breast Cancer Care WA, Perth, WA, Australia

Globally, 0.6 million deaths from breast cancer (MBC) were due to metastatic breast cancer. According to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) in 2020 there were approximately 10,553 people living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia and it is estimated that by 2025 this figure will increase to around 12,840 people. Approximately 30% of the Australian population live in rural and remote areas. Research indicates that this population has an increased risk of negatived health outcomes and decreased quality of life when living with cancer. This qualitative study explored the experiences and unmet needs of people living with MBC patients in regional WA from the perspective of healthcare professionals supporting them, as they are significant stakeholders in the MBC treatment journey. A social constructionist approach was adopted. We also examined health professionals’ needs to provide optimal care and support. Healthcare professionals working with the WA Country Health Service for a minimum of 12 months and had been working with MBC patients for a minimum of 6 months were recruited (N = 11). Participants took part in an online interview, discussing the unmet needs and experiences of people living with MBC in regional WA. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, and reflexivity was maintained to ensure quality and rigour. Information power was used to ensure we had rich information. Two overarching themes were identified, each with two sub-themes: personal factors (sub-themes; psychological distress and social distress) and systems/organisational factors (sub-themes; service accessibility, and workforce strains). Findings of this study identified a variety of unmet needs for MBC patients living in regional WA at the individual and systems levels. Understanding the unmet needs of this population will assist in directly addressing these needs; in providing optimal, high quality oncological care; and improving quality of life.

 

 

  1. Chua, A., Nguyen, E., Puah, L. L., Soong, J., & Keesing, S. (2022). Experiences of people with cancer from rural and remote areas of Western Australia using supported accommodation in Perth while undergoing treatment. Current Oncology, 29(2), 1190-1200. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fcurroncol29020101
  2. Asante, D., McLachlan, C. S., Pickles, D., & Isaac, V. (2023). Understanding unmet care needs of rural older adults with chronic health conditions: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), Article 3298. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph20043298