[This information guide is also available in PDF for download.]
What is a Breast Care Nurse
A breast care nurse (BCN) is a registered nurse who has specialised experience and knowledge in breast care nursing.
Breast care nurses are members of the multidisciplinary team caring for people with breast cancer. Other members of the team at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and its affiliated hospitals include surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, breast physicians, clinical geneticists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers and other specialised nurses.
Breast care nurses are available to give you and your family information and support before and after surgery and during your ongoing treatment for breast cancer. If you have any questions about your treatment, the plans for your hospital admission or about caring for yourself after surgery or during other treatments, you can call the breast care nurse for advice.
Role of a Breast Care Nurse
The role of a breast care nurse is to:
- Provide support, education and information to people with breast cancer, their family and those who care for them.
- Provide high standards of treatment in breast care nursing.
- Provide coordinated care, including information and referral to other support services and resources available in the hospital and community.
- Inform people about research and clinical trials.
- Provide leadership in the area of breast care nursing within the hospital and wider community.
A Breast Care Nurse is available to:
- Answer your questions.
- Explain your treatment.
- Provide you information on treatment for breast cancer.
- Explain what happens during your stay in hospital.
- Visit you during your stay in hospital.
- Provide emotional support.
- Organise support for you when you leave hospital if needed.
- Provide information on breast prostheses and breast reconstruction.
- Help you look after your wound after your operation.
- Refer you to other services if needed.
- Act as a link with all members of the treatment team.
- Coordinate your care from the time you are diagnosed with breast cancer, through your treatment and follow-up.
Contact
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) | 8890 8888 | |
Crown Princess Mary Cancer Care Centre | 8890 8530 | |
Blacktown Cancer Care Centre | 9881 8421 | |
Nepean Cancer Care Centre | 4734 3500 | |
Westmead BCI Research & Clinical Trials Nurse | 0417 864 100 | |
Westmead Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy | 9845 6500 | |
Westmead Social Work Department | 8890 6699 | |
Aboriginal Liaison Officer | 8890 6699 or 0400346112 | |
Telephone and Interpreting Service (TIS National) | 131 450 | |
McGrath Foundation | 8962 6100 | www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au |
Useful contacts/websites
Cancer Australia | canceraustralia.gov.au |
Cancer Council | cancer.org.au |
Cancer Council Helpline | 13 11 20 |
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) | 1800 500 258 bcna.org.au |
Contact and Location of Breast Care Nurses
Available Monday to Friday, 8am – 4:30pm
Westmead Hospital*
Corner Darcy Road & Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead NSW 2145
02 8890 5656 Breast Care Nurse – leave a recorded message
02 8890 5555 Westmead Hospital
Alternatively, email the breast care nurses at
bci-breastcarenurses@health.nsw.gov.au
Auburn Hospital*
Norval Street, Auburn NSW 2144
0428 967 845 Breast Care Nurse
02 8759 3000
Blacktown Hospital*
Blacktown Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
0427 851 829
0407 589 754
Mt Druitt Hospital*
75 Railway Street, Mt Druitt NSW 2770
0427 851 829
0407 589 754
Nepean Hospital*
Derby Street, Kingswood NSW 2340
0409 699 105
0436 397 684
0447 456 822
02 4734 3500
*If you are unable to contact a nurse at any of these hospitals, please call or email the BCN at Westmead.
[This information guide is also available in PDF for download.]
Version 6 – WSP 224 May 2024