McGrath breast care nurse supports women and families: Clare Bradshaw is a McGrath breast care nurse based at Fremantle Hospital in Western Australia. She supports local families experiencing breast cancer from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Author: Fordham, Anni
• Date: 01 June 2012

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What does a McGrath breast care nurse do on a day-to-day basis?

"Each day varies, depending on whether it is a clinic or theatre day. Often my first contact with a patient is in the breast clinic alongside the breast surgeon, where a diagnosis of cancer is given. The surgeon will discuss the diagnosis and treatment options and after that I'll sit with the patient to help them digest the information and give them a chance to ask questions.

"I give them an information pack specific to their diagnosis and surgery recommendations along with my contact details."

Clare contacts the patient ahead of their surgery to allow further questions and reiterate the plan for the day of surgery. After surgery, she reviews the patient prior to discharge to ensure he or she is supported and informed.

"In the weeks between surgery and...