Australian Government commits to continue supporting The McGrath Foundation’s breast care nurses with a $3 million investment in 2021.

The funding will support nursing care professionals assisting in breast cancer. The investment will also fund a scoping project to further improvise patient care.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said “Australia’s breast care nurses are supporting our breast cancer patients and their families with personal care and genuine compassion. They improve the quality of care in so many ways, from fewer specialist appointments, to improved understanding and clarity, to more confidence and reduced anxiety. McGrath Foundation has done tremendous work, and express my deep gratitude to McGrath Foundation breast care nurses and all breast care nurses for their unrivalled commitment to supporting breast cancer patients.”

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said feedback from the scoping project will help inform the ongoing development of advanced cancer care nursing roles.

The McGrath Foundation will form a stakeholder working group to guide this project and will provide a report to the Government in the second half of 2021.

Australia’s network of breast care nurses (BCNs) work within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care from diagnosis and throughout treatment, free of charge.

The Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne thanked Australia’s breast care nurses, saying they helped women with breast cancer and their families navigate through the often complex world of hospitals and cancer wards.

“These nurses are improving lives across Australia. They listen, guide, and support people with breast cancer and their families with health advice and quality care. This holistic care includes physical, psychological, and emotional support for people with breast cancer and their families," Senator Payne said.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with an estimated more than 19,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, as well as more than 160 men.

The Government already provides funding to support the recruitment, training and employment of specialist breast care nurses through the McGrath Foundation.

This funding is in addition to the Government’s funding of $38 million to the McGrath Foundation from 2019–20 to 2022–23 to increase the number of Commonwealth-funded breast care nurses from 57 to 102 positions.