Abstract

Introduction: There is a lack of research examining whether living in a rural or urban area has a significant bearing on a person’s ability to manage their health following cancer treatment. While many factors in the rural setting can promote health there are those that can be detrimental to health. The rural context may interact with the experience of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, such that those who live in rural areas experience poorer health outcomes compared to those in non-rural areas (Burris and Andrykowski, 2010; Weaver et al, 2013).

Aim: The research will be undertaken to identify and compare the determinants of self-management in PLWABC from a rural and urban setting.

Method: The study uses a quantitative self-completion survey collecting data on demographics, health promoting behaviours (Walker et al, 1996), patient activation (Hibbard et al, 2005) and cancer related self-efficacy (Foster et al, 2013). Data will be analysed using SPSS software.

RESULTS: Data collection will commence Summer 2017 and the final report will be available in 2018.