McGrath Foundation funds five new McGrath Breast Care Nurses in Brisbane
People being treated for breast cancer and their families in Brisbane will benefit from a massive boost to breast care nursing services, thanks to the McGrath Foundation welcoming five new McGrath Breast Care Nurses in the state’s capital.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Queensland women[1] and with one in seven women in Australia being diagnosed before the age of 85[2] comes an increasing need for specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support people impacted by the disease, making this increase in support even more timely.
Holly Masters, McGrath Foundation CEO, is thrilled to welcome the new McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
“We are incredibly proud to provide this vital boost in support available to people being treated for breast cancer in Brisbane, significantly increasing the number of McGrath Breast Care Nurses in the community and allowing us to support more people than ever before.”
“It’s the McGrath Foundation’s mission to ensure everyone experiencing breast cancer has access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse where they live, and we’re pleased to be moving closer to that goal in Brisbane.”
The five new McGrath Breast Care Nurses will provide free physical, psychological and emotional support to people with breast cancerThey are based at Mater Hospital Brisbane, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital and provide a free service, with no referral required.
Of the five new roles, three are dedicated to supporting people with metastatic breast cancer, with one placed at each hospital. Metastatic breast cancer refers to the state of cancer that is incurable – it has spread beyond the primary tumour site of the breast to other parts of the body.
The needs of those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer differ to those with early-stage breast cancer, with the focus of treatment on prolonging life and ensuring the quality of life is maximised. At this stage, people are usually on multiple medications and require far greater involvement with different parts of the health care system.
The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is free service, no matter where you live. To find your nearest McGrath Breast Care Nurse, visit mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse.
[1] Queensland Government. Cancer in Queensland: A Statistical Overview 1982-2021, Annual update
- Queensland Health, Brisbane, 2018
[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021. Cancer data in Australia. Cat. no. CAN 122. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed June 2021; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia
