By Jena Carr
Geelong has a new McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse to help cancer patients use and access local medical support.
Andrew Love Cancer Centre’s Jess Morgan is one of six new Mcgrath Breast Care Nurses, bringing the total in Geelong to four and reaching a milestone of 200 nurses in Australia.
“It’s really exciting to be part of the newer nurses that have started,” Ms Morgan said.
Ms Morgan said she worked with patients with advanced or stage four cancer where it’s no longer curable as part of being a metastatic breast care nurse.
“We work towards just treating the symptoms of their cancer and trying to prevent the cancer from getting any worse,” she said.
“Part of that is also working with all of the symptoms and side effects that come along with treatment.”
McGrath Breast Care Nurses are registered nurses trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer for free.
Ms Morgan said she was glad to be able to help patients, their families and friends through the cancer journey.
“Being able to provide support, answers and a hug or a shoulder to cry on, is such an honour to do,” she said.
“To help them navigate a very complex healthcare system, that’s probably what keeps me going and I find really rewarding about my job.”
Ms Morgan said breast health was important for everyone and encouraged people to do breast checks and attend breast screenings.
“We always welcome and take phone calls from anybody who’s concerned about their breast cancer,” she said.
“It’s amazing that we’re able to get to 200 breast care nurses across Australia and the aim is to get to 250 by 2025, so we’re well on track to getting there.”
