But Dr. Nancy Fowler says much needs to be done, including developing national guidelines. An innovative Asian women's health clinic is changing cultural attitudes in a battle against cervical cancer rates among Chinese women that are 4 times the norm. The number of clients at Vancouver's new Asian Women's Health Clinic more than doubled between 1994 and 1997. Cultural barriers such as modesty and language problems, have been reduced through bilingual videos and pamphlets, private instruction and more. Dr. Mary Johnston, a rural physician for 24 years, argues that rural women are being ignored by universities, medical centers and women's health in general.
Many rural women lack continuity of care, information and basic health services such as pap smears.
There is high-tech help for rural women who feel abandoned on the long road to recovering from breast cancer. A new audio teleconferencing network has linked up to 48 women in 21 communities along Newfoundland s rugged coast and provided them with support and information. Often they have a vulnerable sexual view of themselves compounded by a higher prevalence of sexual abuse and harassment. Women with physical disabilities are also tearing down stereotypes by bearing and raising children. They do, however have special concerns.