Our breast care nurses
Breast Cancer Care WA has two specialist breast care nurses who are available to provide support and information to women and men from diagnosis and throughout the breast cancer journey.
The role of the breast care nurse at Breast Cancer Care WA is perhaps a little different from some other breast care nurses, but it is first and foremost to provide care and support for those affected by breast cancer. This includes women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and those close to them. They are also actively involved in promoting the breast awareness message to schools, business groups and the wider community.
Support can be provided by way of home and hospital visits in the metropolitan area and by phone throughout Western Australia whenever it is needed. Whether you have a specific question or general concern our nurses are dedicated to guiding and helping people through this difficult journey.
To speak to a breast care nurse for information, guidance, or a supportive ear please call 9324 3703 or email info@breastcancer.org.au.
Meet our breast care nurses
Heather Martindale
Thank you to the McGrath Foundation who sponsor this position
“Prior to moving to Australia six years ago, I trained in oncology and was a chemotherapy nurse in the UK for over a decade. There I also gained palliative care qualifications and worked as a surgical ward manager with breast and colorectal patients. After arriving in Perth I worked in a number of hospitals as a chemotherapy nurse, then as a specialist cancer nurse, which sparked a passion for assisting breast cancer patients and becoming a breast care nurse in 2007"
Heather can be contacted direct at heather@breastcancer.org.au Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Denise Kiff
Thank you to the Brady Cancer Support Foundation who sponsor this position
“I commenced my nursing in 1983 at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and completed my nursing degree in 1997 at Edith Cowan University completing my Accredited Breast Care Course in 2007 through La Trobe University. Since 1997 I have worked in the fields of general practice, domiciliary nursing, pre and post operative care of ladies diagnosed with breast cancer. I then moved to Breastscreen WA and helped co-ordinate breast assessment clinics for ladies undergoing assessment of breast abnormalities. In this role it became increasingly apparent to me the importance of holistic heath care and as a Breast Care Nurse I believe we can significantly improve health outcomes by providing a high standard of care and support."
Denise can be contacted direct at denise@breastcancer.org.au Wednesday to Friday
The McGrath Foundation
The McGrath Foundation was co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer.
While being treated for a secondary cancer in 2003, Jane had access to a breast care nurse for the first time and became aware of the tremendous impact that they can have on a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing both during and after treatment.
As a result of this experience, Jane felt strongly that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, and her family, should be able to benefit from the support of a specialist breast care nurse. As such, one of the McGrath Foundation’s two main objectives is to raise money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia.
The McGrath Foundation’s second objective is to educate young women to be breast aware. Jane was only 31 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, and she felt passionately about empowering women under 40 to take control of their health by conducting regular breast checks – early detection can mean more effective treatment.
To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can help make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.