November 19, 2007
UNB Fredericton News Release: E216
Natalie Montgomery, Communication Officer (506) 453-4990

A new resource guide developed by nursing students at the University of New Brunswick’s Moncton campus will help women who are living with breast cancer.

Navigating My Wellness Journey is a collaborative effort of UNB, the South East Regional Health Authority, the Hillsborough Gala and breast cancer survivors. It will be officially released on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at noon at Moncton City Hall.

“This resource guide is a powerful tool,” said Lowleen Coles, UNB nursing professor. “It brings together current, relevant resources available to women at any stage of their cancer journey and helps empower them with their health.”

Seven student nurses developed the free pocket-sized guide. It is a compilation of community resources available for women living with breast cancer and includes inspirational quotes, websites and contact numbers.

“As a result of the many partnerships formed, we have been able to reach out to local women diagnosed and living with cancer,” said Janice Worth, student nurse. “Through a defined community development and health promotion process, we identified awareness and utilization of the community resources to be a priority need. We are hoping this resource guide will improve women’s overall level of wellness and quality of life.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Canada, with more than 22,000 new women being diagnosed each year. In New Brunswick, 540 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Navigating My Wellness Journey is available by contacting Joan Maloney, breast cancer specialist with the South East Regional Health Authority, at (506) 870-2649 or UNB’s faculty of nursing at (506) 856-3038.

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