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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a McGrath Breast Care Nurse?

McGrath Breast Care Nurses are health professionals specially trained to manage the care of breast cancer patients throughout the course of their treatment. They are the principal liaison between the patient and the specialists who coordinate their treatment - whether it be surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses also play an important advocacy role as well as helping to clarify technical or complicated information that the patient may not understand.

Most importantly, McGrath Breast Care Nurses offer vital emotional support to the patient as well as being a friend for the patient and their families during what can be extremely difficult times.

How does the involvement of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse improve the care of a patient?

The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can substantially improve a patient’s quality of care because they have one main source of information and contact throughout their treatment plan.

Continuous support from a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can greatly minimise the stress and trauma of a breast cancer diagnosis for the patient and their family.

What training do McGrath Breast Care Nurses have?

McGrath Breast Care Nurses are highly-qualified nurses who add much value to the coordination of care, support, guidance and advice to women dealing with a breast cancer and their families.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses usually have a background in oncology, breast care or women’s health and sometimes even psychology. They will also usually have post-graduate qualifications in breast care nursing.

At what stage of the diagnosis does a McGrath Breast Care Nurse become involved?

A McGrath Breast Care Nurse may come into contact with a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at any point during her diagnosis and treatment. If you, or someone you love, has not been referred to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in your area, you may make contact directly.

Does everyone diagnosed with breast cancer have access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse?

The McGrath Foundation strives to achieve Jane’s vision for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer and her family to have access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

While this is not currently the case, the McGrath Foundation is committed to continuing to work towards achieving these outcomes.

How can I find out if there is a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in my area?

Click here to meet our McGrath Breast Care Nurses and to find out where they are currently placed.

Testimonials

As a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, I will offer women in the Warrnambool region with a flexible service, supporting patients as they face the challenges of breast cancer in a rural environment. I feel very proud to be supported by the McGrath Foundation in this specialist role.
Rebecca Hay, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Warrnambool, VIC

Breast cancer affects all of us, either directly or through family and other loved ones. My role as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is to ensure the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer by providing support information and care to them and their families.
Cheryl Baxter, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Victor Harbor, SA

I am looking forward to extending my role of helping women and their families through being a McGrath Breast Care Nurse and think it is extremely important women from rural communities no longer have to travel great distances to access a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.
Sherry Phillips, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Warwick, QLD

My appointment as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for this area will is exciting and challenging. One of my aims is to provide support in a way that will help women see the positives in their cancer diagnosis. I feel privileged to be a part of that process.
Donna Nicholls, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Gladstone, QLD

I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity to support women through their whole breast cancer experience and I look forward to increasing breast awareness in the community. My aim is to ensure women diagnosed with breast cancer receive seamless and well-coordinated care across the continuum.
Margie Mears, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Bundaberg, QLD

I am absolutely thrilled to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the Monaro area as it provides a service to rural women to support them and their families through their diagnosis, treatment and recovery. I firmly believe this service has the ability to provide better outcomes for rural women and I feel so proud to be part of it. It is an honour to be part of the McGrath Breast Care Nurse family.
Bronnie Taylor, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cooma, NSW

I feel honoured and privileged to be given the opportunity to care for and support breast cancer patients as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. I want to treat the person experiencing breast cancer, their families and carers with respect and compassion and to provide the highest standard of care, knowing that, together we can make a difference.
Catherine Brophy, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Grafton, NSW

I jumped at the chance to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse knowing that the position would be highly valued and needed in this community and that in this role I would be able to support women and men with breast cancer as well as be able to provide accurate information and education. I hope to deliver an extremely high standard of care and support to patients and their families across the Northern tablelands and McIntyre cluster.
Helen Goodall, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Armidale, NSW

I am proud to be a part of the McGrath Foundation family and have been overwhelmed with support from the other nurses and the McGrath Foundation. I look forward to providing quality, continuous care to women with advanced breast cancer and their families.
Kerryn Ernst, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Canberra, ACT

I feel extremely privileged to be a McGrath Breast Care Nurse so I can provide women in my local community with much needed support at any stage of their breast cancer experience. I will ensure all women receive a continuity of care that is seamless and well coordinated.
Maria Hall, McGrath Sellers Breast Care Nurse, Whyalla, SA

It is really important for all women to have equitable access to cancer services and so I am looking forward to the challenge of being a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. I know that helping women through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment will be rewarding and it is exciting to be a part of the McGrath Foundation’s large network of nurses all working towards a common goal.
Donna Cook, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Bunbury, WA

It’s such a wonderful thing that Jane McGrath envisioned, when she wished that all breast cancer patients could have the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse from the time they are first diagnosed. I’m greatly looking forward to working with women in this capacity so I can provide information and advice as well as coordinating care, support and guidance.
Marg Centra, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sale, VIC

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to support women diagnosed with breast cancer in the region and assist in their coordination of care which can be a challenge in rural areas. I believe my role as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse will allow me to assist women through their breast cancer journey and to promote breast awareness to women of all ages in the region.
Di Gibbs, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Bairnsdale, VIC

I have had a dream for quite a few years of working as a dedicated breast care nurse and thanks to my appointment as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse my dream has reached fruition. Now breast cancer patients in the Wagga Wagga region will have access to holistic care which meets both their physical and emotional needs.
Sue Munro, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Wagga Wagga, NSW

The support from the McGrath Foundation allows women in regional and rural areas to access high quality care and I am delighted that I can use my knowledge of local services and resources to assist women from diagnosis onwards, with the aim of making a positive difference.
Narelle Shinfield, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Goulburn, NSW

Being a member of the McGrath Foundation is like being cradled in the arms of a powerful family who have firm commitments to delivering the best possible care and support to women touched by breast cancer. I am committed, humbled and very, very proud.
Judi Maple, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Swan Hill, VIC

Breast Awareness

Breast cancer affects women of all ages, so being breast aware is very important to all women, including young women....
Click Here to see how you can become ‘Breast Aware’.

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If you are interested in organising a fundraising event to support the McGrath Foundation, please click here for more detailed information on the opportunities available.