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10 Jul 2019

Profile: Breast care nurse Louise James

  • VCCC Alliance

Research a topic of conversation at Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Congress

Professor Mei Krishnasamy, Chair of Cancer Nursing, the University of Melbourne and VCCC Research & Education Lead Cancer Nursing talked about the development of cancer nursing research capability and its potential to enhance patient care at the 22nd Annual Congress of Cancer Nurses Society of Australia, 20-22 June at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

Nurses were encouraged to visit the VCCC Nurse-led Research Hub stand at the event and Louise James was the winner of a special conference and mentoring package. Louise is a McGrath Breast Care Nurse from Mildura Base Hospital and has a passion for breast cancer nursing and aspirations for her own research. 

Tell us about your early career

I trained at the Northern District School of Nursing in Bendigo, based at Mildura Base Hospital in the mid-1980s. I worked in the Emergency Department for 12 months and then left Mildura to travel around Australia. I worked at Royal Prince Alfred and the Children’s Hospital in Sydney. At RPA I spent some time in the cardiothoracic unit which was challenging coming from Mildura Base.  I eventually returned to Mildura where I spent 13 more years in the ED as a clinical nurse specialist. As a midwife I worked at the Mildura Private Hospital where we had the most successful breast-feeding figures in Victoria. I spent seven years in the chemotherapy unit at Mildura Base before becoming a MBCN. 

How did you come to work at McGrath?

The McGrath Foundation had advertised. I didn’t apply at first because I didn’t think I had enough expertise. While it was being advertised I was asked to speak at our local Mother’s Day Classic. When I went up on the stage, I was very nervous. As I looked around in the crowd I saw some of my breast cancer patients and some who had finished chemotherapy. Some were friends and others were families of women who had died from breast cancer. The women and their families were crying as I spoke about the stats on breast cancer. I watched them support each other with an arm around their shoulder or holding hands. It was then that I realised the horrendous impact that breast cancer has and how common it really is. Having lost my younger sister to bowel cancer two years earlier, I knew it was a sign that I was asked to speak at the Mother’s Day event.  That night I drafted my letter of application for the MBCN position and started in October 2013. 

What is a normal day like?

Some patients come in for radiation skin checks or redressing. Mildura doesn’t offer radiation so coordinating where the patient goes can be challenging. Older couples may have never flown or can’t drive long distances or want to take their dog with them. I have found several caravan parks which are pet friendly for these people. Every day is different, from seeing a newly diagnosed patient in their 80s to a 33 year-old mother of four young children, to coordinating and supporting a young metastatic patient with a new baby. I go to the wards at public and private hospitals and attend appointments with women who request me with the medical oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist and palliative care specialists. 

What does your role involve?

My core role is providing education and information immediately after diagnosis. Most of the patients I see haven’t decided where to have surgery and what surgeon to choose. I explain their histopathology results including the hormone receptors. I inform the patient of the services we provide in Mildura; the general surgeons who undertake breast surgery as well as the services we don’t provide. At this time, it’s very much an informed surgical treatment decision which may include decisions around mastectomy and reconstruction. I reassure the patient if they choose to go out of Mildura for surgery. I will co-ordinate and refer to my BCN colleagues and to our local cancer resource people who organise flights and accommodation.  I provide emotional support with explanation and reassurance, helping them to navigate the medical system. Once the patient has made a decision we have another discussion about pre and post op education. Young patients are particularly complex at diagnosis and I do involve more services such as Canteen for their children and financial information and referral.  

What are you proud of?

I am honoured to be a MBCN six years on. I’ve been invited back each year to speak at the Mother’s Day Classic. I am very passionate about breast awareness and enjoy spreading the word via the media and functions.  I created a Mallee Men’s Support Group for male partners who have a loved one going through breast cancer late last year and feel extremely proud. I recently started research on the SOZO machine for fluid measurements for the women of Sunraysia/Mildura who have breast cancer surgery. I applied for funding and it has just been approved.  I will create a model of care for lymphedema prevention.

Cancer nurses from VCCC member organisations are invited to join the VCCC Nurse-led Research Hub. Register here 

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