Patients experiencing breast cancer and their families will benefit from a $2.1 million funding boost to the McGrath Foundation and its nurses from the NSW Government.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the funding provides renewed support for eight of the Foundation’s 63 Breast Care Nurses working across NSW.
The McGrath Foundation estimate these eight nurses will help 1600 patients across two years.
“The NSW Government has been a long time supporter of the McGrath Foundation and their good work and we are pleased to extend our partnership,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This year, around 6,800 people in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer and the funding will help the Foundation provide free support to the many people facing this challenge.”
Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor welcomed the announcement, as one of the original McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
“Having worked in this important role for four years, I have first-hand knowledge of just how valuable these nurses are for those living with breast cancer and their families,” Mrs Taylor said.
“These nurses become a trusted, consistent and knowledgeable touchstone for families, offering them the physical and emotional support needed throughout their cancer journey.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government-funded McGrath Breast Care Nurses will be based across NSW, and will support the ongoing efforts of cancer care teams in our public health system who are working to improve patient outcomes.
“The NSW Government invests $175 million each year through the Cancer Institute NSW to improve both the outcomes and experience of people diagnosed with cancer,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with the McGrath Foundation who shares our goal to deliver patients better continuity of care and offer specialised support.”
The McGrath Foundation, which was co-founded by cricket legend Glenn McGrath and his late wife Jane following her public experience with breast cancer, has supported thousands of people and their families experiencing breast cancer.
McGrath Foundation CEO Holly Masters said: “McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide consistent support for people diagnosed with breast cancer from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment. We welcome the renewed support of eight nurses in NSW who will ensure more families experiencing breast cancer will have the care and support they need,” she said.
The eight NSW Government-funded McGrath nurses will be based in areas including South Western Sydney, Northern Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Southern NSW and Western NSW.
The NSW Government is investing $66.6 million this financial year in the BreastScreen NSW program, which invites women aged 50-74 for a free screening mammogram every two years.
A screening mammogram is the best early detection method available for reducing deaths from breast cancer, and can detect cancers as small as a grain of rice, long before they can be seen or felt.
Almost 20 women a day in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and more than two will die from the disease every day this year.
