Living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is often unpredictable. Clients may experience fluctuating phases of stability and instability, requiring frequent transitions between hospitals, treatment centres, or hospice care. Despite the established discipline of breast care nursing in oncology, access to specialised breast care nurses for people with MBC remains limited in Australia. This is where Melanie’s role becomes vital.
“One of my clients described living with MBC as being on a never-ending rollercoaster,” Melanie shares.
“My role is to ensure that my clients and their loved ones never have to face any of this alone. I am there as their key contact to provide ongoing emotional support, as well as acting as their advocate to ensure that all of their unique needs are met.”
Melanie brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked in oncology nursing since 2004. Her background includes extensive experience as a clinical nurse, clinical nurse specialist, staff development, and palliative care. She is a passionate advocate for person-centred care, believing strongly in the importance of focusing on clients’ values, beliefs, and needs to help them live as well as possible.
“By identifying my clients’ holistic needs and addressing them early, I hope to ease some of the worries and anxieties that clients experience as a result of their disease,” Melanie explains.
“This gives clients the space they need to focus on what really matters to them, so that they can go on to live their very best life possible.”
Estimates suggest that between 9,000 and 12,000 Australians are currently living with MBC. Whilst people are living longer with this disease due to the advances in treatment, the impacts of the disease remain profound. Approximately 1 in 15 breast cancer diagnoses in Australia are metastatic or stage IV at the time of the first diagnosis, and 25-30% of people initially diagnosed with early breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic breast cancer.
The support provided by metastatic breast care nurses like Melanie is invaluable. They not only offer clinical guidance but also provide emotional support, advocacy, and personalised care to help clients navigate the complexities of living with metastatic breast cancer. Through her work, Melanie ensures that those living with MBC have a dedicated advocate and a caring supporter throughout their experience.
Register for our upcoming webinar – A user’s guide to metastatic breast cancer