Media Release

26 October 2005

Training scholarships on offer to improve care
of local women with breast cancer

The National Breast Cancer Centre is offering scholarships to rural and regional nurses, community health workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to further develop their skills in caring for local women with breast cancer.

Thirty per cent of women with breast cancer live in rural and remote areas with nurses and community health workers playing a major role in maintaining links between the woman's surgeon, oncologist and GP.

Deputy Director of the National Breast Cancer Centre Dr Karen Luxford said often nurses and community health workers in rural and regional areas find it difficult to access further education and training programs.

"The scholarships provide the funds to enable nurses and community health workers to attend conferences and participate in continuing education programs to improve their capacity to provide support and care for women with breast cancer in their communities," said Dr Luxford.

The scholarships cover expenses such as course or conference registration fees, textbooks, travel and accommodation.

All nurses and community health workers based in Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT are eligible for the scholarships. In other states, only nurses and community health workers employed in areas other than capital cities or major metropolitan centres are eligible to apply. Community health workers and nurses working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are encouraged to apply.

Nurses and community health workers interested in applying for a scholarship should visit www.breasthealth.com.au/pinkpony or contact the National Breast Cancer Centre on 02 9036 3030.

Applications close Wednesday, 7 December 2005.

The scholarships are funded by Polo Ralph Lauren's 'Pink Pony' initiative and administered by the National Breast Cancer Centre. Over 100 nurses and community health workers across Australia have been awarded scholarships since the program's inception in 2002.

The National Breast Cancer Centre is funded by the Australian Government and works with women, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve health outcomes for women with breast and ovarian cancer.

Media contact: Bree Hancock 0438 209 833

The ANF, representing 145,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.

Media inquiries:

Jill Iliffe, ANF Federal Secretary: 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary: 0417 053 322