With the goal to have every community fully supporting those with breast cancer....Tuesday's World Cafe Forum on the topic brought Wisconsin one step closer.

It was presented by the Central Wisconsin affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure and the American Cancer Society.....and allowed dozens of professionals affected by breast cancer to put their heads together.

Everybody wants there to be a cure for cancer. But until that time comes....affordable treatment, support and education is what many people in Central Wisconsin, and around the country, are seeking.

"No one should have to make the choice between treatment and groceries," said Susan Ford-Hoffert, President of the Susan G. Komen's Central Wisconsin Affiliate.

Providers, supporters and survivors discussed what an ideal community that supports those with breast cancer would look like.....and how they can help make it happen.

"If you are facing this, a lot of people will rally to your side as an individual. There are support groups out there, there is help out there," Ford-Hoffert said.

On the other hand, funding and access remain bureaucratic barriers.

"We have some insight as to what some of the people in our community need and want from breast health services and we wanted to share that with the rest of the group," said Judy Burrows, of the Marathon County Health Department.

Burrows works with the Wisconsin Well Woman Project, that offers breast cancer screenings for women who couldn't otherwise afford it.

"I was very, very happy with all of the comments, all of the insights, all of the information that people brought together," she said.

The collective discussions were based on the world cafe model. It's designed to foster authentic conversation and knowledge sharing between people of different backgrounds, even if they've never met.

Organizers hope the opportunity for networking will eventually create a collaborative program that will ensure all women in Wisconsin have the best treatment and support they need.

The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service will gather information from the forum and produce a final report on its findings.