Que Club President Marg Klein, Jeanine Boland and McGrath Breast Care Nurse Dianne Green (photo on left). Dianne demonstrated how to check breasts and what a lump feels like using fake breasts containing five lumps. Dot Bradley and Raelene Rout are checking for lumps.
You may have purchased a virtual pink seat at the last couple of Ashes Pink Tests to help support the McGrath Breast Care Nurses. It was fun seeing your name appear on a virtual seat, and a ‘feel good’ moment knowing that Jane McGrath’s legacy continues to do wonderful work.
Parkes Que members were given more than a virtual tour at our May business meeting with local McGrath Breast Care Nurse Dianne Green as our guest speaker.
Dianne was working as a community nurse for Parkes Health Services when she recognised a need in the area for a breast care nurse. She studied for a Certificate in Breast Cancer and applied to become a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. She started with three days a week in 2011, three years later she moved to four days a week., and in her 9th year on the job she became full time. She also continued her research and study and graduated with a Masters in Breast Cancer.
Dianne works with patients in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham and Peak Hill. The youngest patient she has supported was just 25 years old and the oldest was 92. Although breast cancer in men isn’t as common, Dianne has had male patients in her care too.
With Australian breast cancer statistics indicating that one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, the good news is that survival rates are continually improving due to the ongoing treatment changes.
“I am very honoured to be one of 177 McGrath Breast Care Nurses and it is a privilege to care for and support breast cancer patients and their families within our community,” said Dianne.
If you would like to ‘join the Que’ contact the Parkes club at parkesqueclub@gmail. com and follow us on Facebook.
By Lynn Rogers