Two additional McGrath Breast Care Nurses have been appointed to the Central Coast boosting support for people and their families experiencing breast cancer.
There are now five McGrath Breast Care Nurses on the Coast.
With more than 6,000 people in NSW diagnosed with breast cancer each year and one in seven women in Australia diagnosed in their lifetime, there is an increasing need for specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support people impacted by the disease.
Research by the McGrath Foundation shows that early access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse improves both the outcomes and experience of a person with breast cancer.
McGrath Foundation CEO Holly Masters said the nurses would provide free care and support for hundreds of families in the community.
“McGrath Breast Care Nurses are clinical experts who help people with breast cancer navigate the medical system, from diagnosis and throughout treatment,” she said.
“Our nurses become a trusted, consistent and knowledgeable advocate for those with breast cancer and we are incredibly proud to expand the service available in the Central Coast.”
The two new McGrath Breast Care Nurses will work across Gosford and Wyong hospitals with one position dedicated to supporting people with metastatic breast cancer, accompanying three existing McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
Metastatic breast cancer refers to when breast cancer has spread beyond the primary tumour site of the breast to other parts of the body with the focus of treatment on prolonging life and ensuring quality of life is maximised.
There are 76 McGrath Breast Care Nurses located throughout NSW including 16 nurses dedicated to the care of metastatic patients.
The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is available across Australia to anyone facing breast cancer.
The support is free, and a doctor’s referral is not required.
To find your nearest nurse, visit mcgrathfoundation.com.au.