It’s International Nurses Day and I want to acknowledge some of the unsung heroes of women’s breast cancer journeys: Breast Cancer Nurses. For many women, the support and care which Breast Cancer Nurses provide is crucial to their recovery. 

Breast Cancer Nurses provide personalised care for patients and their families from diagnosis and throughout breast cancer treatment. Like many of our healthcare heroes, Breast Cancer Nurses do so much with so little recognition. So I’m spotlighting them this International Nurses Day so we can all better appreciate how they make a woman’s breast cancer journey that little bit easier.

How Breast Cancer Nurses help

Breast Cancer Nurses are the ‘go-to person’ for someone with breast cancer. They aim to reduce the stress associated with diagnosis and treatment for both the patient and their family.

Breast Cancer Nurses provide support at key times including:

• Diagnosis

• Before and after surgery

• During and around follow-up appointments

• As needed during radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Breast Cancer Nurses ensure patients receive:

• Clarification around their diagnosis 

• Answers to any outstanding questions

• The right care after their surgery

• Some referrals or recommendations

How Breast Cancer Nurses differ from other nurses

Breast Cancer Nurses are Registered Nurses that have completed additional study in the area of breast cancer treatment. Usually highly compassionate people with a passion for helping people with cancer, they’re part of a multidisciplinary treatment team focused on patient treatment. They work closely with the other members in their team so that they have all the relevant information about a patient’s treatment and can act as a point person for the patient on their treatment journey.

Breast Cancer Nurses help alleviate some of the stress of working with an entire treatment team. They are a point person, highly informed, and can follow up with the treatment team about any questions or concerns a patient has. 

They are there in the hardest of times

Breast Cancer Nurses are accessible to people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are waiting to meet with their Oncologist or Surgeon for the very first time. They are a huge support to people going through some of the hardest times in their lives. They aim to make their cancer journey that little bit easier.

Someone who understands

Having family and friends around during breast cancer treatment is crucial. But loved ones can’t always understand… And some women with breast cancer want to talk with someone who knows what they’re going through. 

This is where Breast Cancer Nurses can come in and provide emotional support and guidance. Feeling supported through a cancer journey can have positive effects on treatment outcomes and Breast Cancer Nurses have been proven to improve the patient experience.

So thanks to all the Breast Cancer Nurses for the amazing and essential work you do. Thank you for all we see you do and all the things you do behind the scenes to care for your patients. We appreciate you. 

To find a Breast Cancer Nurse near you, visit https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/