Epping’s Northern Health Hospital will be home to one of six new McGrath Breast Care Nurses in Victoria who will provide free care and support to local families impacted by breast cancer.
The appointment of six new nurses in Victoria brings the number of McGrath Breast Care Nurses across the country to a pivotal milestone of 200.
Melanie Bullock is the McGrath Metastatic Breast Care Nurse Consultant based at Northern Health. Her role is to support women and men, as well as their families, from the time of their diagnosis and through the course of ongoing treatment.
Metastatic breast cancer refers to when the cancer has spread beyond the initial tumour site of the breast and into other parts of the body. Ms Bullock said that the focus is on prolonging life and ensuring quality of life is maximised.
“My role is to support patients, and their loved ones, through this stage of their treatment by offering clinical care, medical expertise and psychosocial support,” she said.
“By calling our patients and speaking to them regularly, we realise how important it is for them to have someone there to help them navigate the medical system.”
Every year over 4,700 people in Victoria are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one in seven women in Australia will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
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.
The remaining five new McGrath Breast Care Nurses are located at The Alfred, Western Health – Sunshine Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Barwon Health’s University Hospital Geelong.
There are currently 50 McGrath Breast Care Nurses throughout Victoria, in regional, rural and metropolitan areas. The support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is a free service, no matter where you live, and is available without a referral.
To get in touch your nearest McGrath Breast Care Nurse, visit mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse
Hannah Hammoud
