Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australian women with one in eight females diagnosed by the time they reach 85. Although survival rates continue to improve, with 89 out of 100 women living more than five years past diagnosis, it is still more important than ever to raise breast cancer awareness given early detection yields the best prognosis.
4 Oct 2017
Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australian women with one in eight females diagnosed by the time they reach 85. Although survival rates continue to improve, with 89 out of 100 women living more than five years past diagnosis, it is still more important than ever to raise breast cancer awareness given early detection yields the best prognosis.
At St John of God Berwick Hospital we’re proud to team up with the McGrath Foundation to support breast cancer patients in our region. Through the Foundation’s fundraising efforts and generosity, our patients benefit from having access to a McGrath Breast Care Nurse who is specially trained to manage the care of breast cancer patients throughout the course of their treatment.
With over 20 years of nursing experience, Liz Douglass has been caring for the needs of our breast cancer patients since 2007. She is the principal liaison between our patients and the specialists who coordinate their treatment—whether it be surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
She also plays an important advocacy role and helps to clarify technical or complicated information that patients may not understand. Most importantly, as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Liz offers vital emotional support to our patients, as well as being a friend to them and their families during what can be an extremely difficult time in their lives.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity to remind Australians to take time out to make sure we’re well informed about breast cancer detection and reducing the risks. It’s also a good time to let those we know, who are affected by this disease, that they are not alone on their breast cancer journey.
Over the coming weeks we will be sharing practical information on how to be breast aware by knowing what to look for and how to check your breasts. If you’d like to host an event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month or donate to the McGrath Foundation please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.