Breast care nurse Lindsey Richmond from Western Australian Country Health Service for the Midwest region has been awarded a rural training scholarship to develop her skills in caring for Geraldton women with breast cancer.

Ms Richmond is one of 26 successful applicants across Australia to receive the scholarship funded by the Polo Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Campaign and administered by the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre.  She will use the scholarship to attend the 10th National Breast Care Nurses Conference in Fremantle in May.

“In my role I provide both clinical and psychological support to local women with breast cancer.  I ensure women and their families are well informed about all their treatment options and are referred to appropriate local services,” said Ms Richmond.

“The conference will allow me to make valuable links with other nurses in both regional and metropolitan areas and to draw on their knowledge and skills.  I hope to discover new approaches to patient care that I can implement locally.”

A/Professor Christine Giles, General Manager at the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, said 30 per cent of women with breast cancer live in rural and remote areas.  Rural nurses play a major role in providing information, support, and maintaining links between the woman’s surgeon, oncologist and GP.

“Rural nurses are often the cornerstone of quality care and the person with whom women with breast cancer have the most contact outside of their general practitioners,” said A/Professor Giles. 

“The scholarships enable many nurses to participate in a range of activities to improve their capacity to care for and support women with breast cancer in their communities.  These are opportunities that are otherwise often unavailable due to limited funds for further education.”

The Polo Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Campaign is an international initiative which aims to assist women with breast cancer in medically underserved communities and is administered in Australia by the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre.  Over 160 nurses and community health workers across Australia have been awarded scholarships since the program’s inception in 2002.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre is funded by the Australian Government and works with consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve care and cancer control in breast and ovarian cancer.

To arrange interviews or photo opportunities, please contact:
Bree Stevens on 0438 209 833