1 in 7 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Thanks to new research, treatments and early detection, the survival rate for breast cancer has greatly improved in the past few decades – however for anyone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis, it can still be incredibly confusing, frightening and difficult to navigate.
Thanks to your compassionate support for our Winter Appeal, and a generous philanthropic commitment from a longstanding donor, a specialist breast care nurse position has been expanded at St John of God Murdoch Hospital to support more patients from when they first receive their breast cancer diagnosis, and throughout their treatment.
Breast Care Nurse Jennifer Mager has seen firsthand the impact this service can make for patients on their breast cancer journey. For many patients, Jennifer comes into their lives at a very overwhelming and frightening time. Often, they’ve just received their diagnosis completely out of the blue.
“The breast care nurse role is being able to guide someone through their whole journey from start to finish,” says Jennifer.
“If they’ve just had their appointment with the consultant, sometimes all they hear is the words ‘breast cancer’ and they don’t hear anything else. So by the time I talk to them, they have a lot of questions.”
A key aspect of Jennifer’s role is helping patients through the process of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as supporting them with information and access to other services such as social workers, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. But beyond that, she is a consistent source of comfort and reassurance for patients and their families – a familiar, friendly face they can count on as they navigate the challenging cancer journey.
“I recently received a card from a patient. It said, ‘Just having someone hold my hand for a bit, and talk me through the surgery and tell me it’s going to be okay, just gave me a sense of relief,’” recalls Jennifer.
“I think that’s what I would want, someone telling me it’s going to be okay, and telling me what comes next. It’s a very rewarding experience and a rewarding job.”
Jennifer is keen to raise awareness of the importance of the support that a breast care nurse provides to patients, so that hopefully the service can grow and support more patients in future. She also expressed her immense gratitude to the donors who have supported her to keep doing the work that she is so passionate about.
“It’s really hard to find the words to say thank you. I just know that without [our donors] we wouldn’t be able to do this and make sure that everyone gets the care that they need. I just wanted them to know what a privilege it is to accept that donation,” Jennifer said.
“I’m so grateful to them, for all they’ve done.”
Thanks to you, our compassionate donors, Breast Care Nurse Jennifer Mager (pictured) will be able to help even more patients on their difficult breast cancer journey.