The Stay in Touch program is an innovative program connecting women and their families through regular face-face communication when they are required to travel away from home to receive radiotherapy treatment.
Why Stay in Touch?
A breast cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a journey full of emotional, psychological, physical and practical challenges. Many women in rural Australia have to travel and stay away from home to receive radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Being separated from your family during this time is difficult, especially when you have children at home.
What are the benefits of Stay in Touch?
Being able to talk and see your family while you are away can reduce the stress of separation. You can catch up with your family more regularly – even if you just want to call to say hello. There is no cost to participate in Stay in Touch.
How does it work?
Using online video communication technology via Skype, the Stay in Touch program provides you and your family with buddy laptops and access to mobile broadband. The laptops are small and easy to carry and can only perform functions relevant to the program. One laptop is for the woman receiving radiotherapy and the other for your family at home if required.
Who can be involved?
The Stay in Touch program is for women who live in rural areas who have to be away from home to receive radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. In particular, the program is designed for women with children.
How can I be involved?
Stay in Touch is currently being offered at a number of sites around Australia. If you are, or will be receiving radiation therapy at the following services, you may be eligible to participate. Talk to your doctor or breast care nurse for more information.
- Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre, Flinders Private Hospital, Southern Adelaide Health Service, Bedford Park SA
- Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre, Darwin NT
- Bendigo Radiotherapy Centre, Peter MacCallum, Bendigo Vic
- Capital Region Cancer Service, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra ACT
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong NSW
- Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth WA
- Radiation Oncology Associates, Mater Hospital, North Sydney NSW
- Radiation Oncology Queensland, St Andrews Hospital, Toowoomba QLD
- Riverina Cancer Care Centre, Wagga Wagga NSW
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane QLD
- Townsville Cancer Centre, Townsville QLD
- William Buckland Radiotherapy Centre, Gippsland Cancer Care Centre, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon Vic
Stay in Touch is a project of the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Program, funded by the Australian Government.