We caught up with Peta on her experience with the McGrath Foundation as a Breast Care Nurse. Read her story.

How long have you been a McGrath Breast Care Nurse?

I became a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in 2019, but have been a Cancer Nurse with a special interest in breast for over 20 years and have my Masters of Cancer and Haematology Nursing from USYD.

What does a McGrath Breast Care Nurse do?

A McGrath Breast Care Nurse is their patient’s advocate. We are clinical experts, specially trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer throughout the course of their diagnosis and treatment. We assist our patients by navigating and translating their breast cancer story and its treatments. McGrath Breast Care Nurses do this by providing education, clinical care, coordination of care and, most importantly, psychosocial support to our patients. We are there for our patients, to listen, to guide, as someone who doesn’t judge or criticise, and help patients through the various stages of their treatment.

What’s the most challenging thing about being a McGrath Breast Care Nurse? What is the most rewarding?

One of the hardest things about being a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is not being able to stop the side effects of treatment. It’s incredibly tough watching patients go through the difficulties associated with certain treatments and I do everything I can to support them during this time.

The most rewarding thing about the role is having the privilege and responsibility of caring for them and helping patients through what can be the most difficult time in their life. My patients teach me something new every day. I embrace their strength and resilience; they inspire and motivate me. I might forget a name, but I never forget how they made me feel.

Do you remember when you first met Elise?

I met Elise at her very first appointment with her Medical Oncologist. Her breast surgeon had referred her for consideration of NACT (chemotherapy before surgery). This was just over a week from her breast cancer diagnosis.

How did you support Elise through her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment?

By simply being available. Her needs varied depending on where she was along the treatment trajectory. For example, when she was struggling, unsure or had concerns about what type of breast surgery to have, I attended her consult with the breast surgeon, sitting alongside her during the consultation. By doing so I was able to answer, clarify and validate the information she had received during this consult and support her in her decision making.

Can you tell us what you love about your job?

That’s simple, my patients! The people I meet and support are just so most amazing. Breast cancer is not selective. People from all walks of life, men, women, old and young, rich and poor. They give me so much motivation and drive me to be “the best I can be”. Caring for someone with a breast cancer diagnosis is a privilege.

We know that regular exercise is important for all of us, but can you tell us why it is particularly important after a breast cancer diagnosis?

- Exercise and outcomes in cancer survivors – Multiple interventional studies have evaluated the safety, feasibility, and benefits of exercise in cancer survivors. The benefits include a reduction in fatigue, improvement in QOL, and improvements in fitness and physical functioning.

- Guidelines for cancer survivors from the American Cancer Society, the American College of Sports Medicine, and other groups that recommend maintaining a healthy weight, adopting a physically active lifestyle, and eating a healthy diet rich in plant sources.

- Health benefits of exercise – Moderate and/or vigorous exercise is associated with several beneficial health outcomes, including improved bone health and decreased risk of obesity, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and all-cause mortality. (Exercise may also increase the likelihood of stopping tobacco use, improve cognitive function, decrease the risk of falls and fall related injuries in older adults, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression).

- Weight loss in postmenopausal women — While not seen in all studies, weight loss in postmenopausal women may reduce breast cancer risk.

- Increased physical activity may reduce breast cancer risk through hormonal influences such as reducing serum oestrogens, insulin, and insulin growth factor-1 levels.

How The Athlete's Foot is supporting McGrath Foundation

We will donate $5 from every pair of full-priced women's shoes and $2 from every limited edition McGrath Foundation pink socks sold between 18-30th October*. Donations will help the McGrath Foundation reach their goal of funding 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses by 2025.

*Donation is capped at AUD$75,000. Limited to full price purchases in one transaction of any women's shoes or purchase of the limited edition McGrath Foundation pink socks during the campaign window (18th - 30th October) in-store and online.