The McGrath Foundation, renowned for its breast care nursing program, is now taking its care to all cancers. This has opened the opportunity to join forces with Equally Well, to help address specific cancer care needs of people living with mental health conditions.
McGrath Foundation Research Manager Dr Fiona Crawford Williams said the McGrath Foundation’s purpose is to ensure that no one goes through cancer without the care of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.
“McGrath Cancer Care Nurses aren’t just experts in care; they make a real, proven difference for people experiencing cancer and their families,” she said.
The Foundation’s ambitious purpose is backed by evidence from Equally Well Australia’s Unequally Unwell report, which highlights the urgent need for tailored cancer care for the 5 million Australians living with mental health conditions.
While breast cancer mortality rates have declined nationally over the past decade, people with mental illness are facing a starkly different reality.
According to the Equally Well Breast Cancer Fact Sheet, individuals with mental health conditions are:
To address these disparities, the McGrath Foundation and Equally Well have partnered to enhance education for specialist cancer nurses around the unique challenges faced by people with mental health conditions. A new fact sheet and ongoing professional development opportunities will support clinicians in delivering more inclusive care.
McGrath Foundation’s Clinical Lead for Education Gillian Kruss has seen firsthand how mental illness can impact cancer treatment outcomes. Through the Foundation she has been supporting McGrath Cancer Care Nurses to attend Mental Health First Aid training to help bridge the gap.
“Screening is one of the big issues—just getting people in for scans is a major challenge for those living with mental illness,” Gillian explains. “But that’s not the whole picture. Approaching cancer treatment is daunting for anyone, and when mental health challenges are added, it can become life-threatening.”
Gillian is leading a program to increase mental health training for McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, aiming to foster greater awareness and equip nurses with strategies to improve treatment outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Dr Crawford-Williams, said the organisation is committed to developing models of care that promote health equity.
“We know there are gaps in care for people living with mental health challenges. That’s why we’re working with Equally Well and others across the sector to create models that make a real difference—and save lives.”
To find a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse near you, visit the McGrath Foundation website.
