Breast Care Nurses (BCN) are registered nurses who have undertaken specialised training. They provide
information and support to women and their families before and after surgery and during other treatment for breast cancer. Breast Care Nurses are available at Westmead, Mt Druitt, Nepean and Auburn Hospitals.
BCNs are available Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm.
To speak to a Breast Care Nurse, phone (02) 8890 5656 or you may also email at: WSLHD-BCINuurses@health.nsw.gov.au
Provided during your post-operative clinic appointment.
Monday: 11.30am
Wednesday: 10.30am
Friday: 10am
A physiotherapist will assess your shoulder movement and recommend suitable exercises. If more intensive treatment is required, an appointment will be made for you in the Physiotherapy Department.
For more information, please phone (02) 8890 8888.
An education group session will be available after breast surgery as part of routine standard care. Advice about shoulder care and management is given with the aim of preventing shoulder stiffness and encouraging return to normal function. These sessions provide a great opportunity to have your shoulder function individually assessed. Speak to your breast care nurse to book in.
Contact (02) 8890 5656 for more information.
The Maple Tree exercise program is a specialised fitness initiative designed to support individuals during and after breast cancer treatment. The program aims to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing, assist with managing side effects like fatigue, pain, and lowered bone density, and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
The Maple Tree exercise program offers a range of exercise options, including a home-based program, a gym-based group program and a hydrotherapy pool group program. Following an initial assessment with a physiotherapist, the available options are reviewed to ensure that the chosen program best aligns with your needs.
Referral and contact
A referral is required to participate in the program. You can obtain this referral through your Breast Care Nurse or treating medical team.
For further information or to make inquiries, you can contact the Physiotherapy Department at (02) 8890 6500.
Reduce your risk of developing arm swelling. These educational meetings are designed for women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and who may be at risk of developing lymphoedema. These sessions are
especially designed for women undergoing axillary clearance or other axillary treatment.
The purpose of these sessions is to:
To register your attendance or for information phone (02) 8890 8888.
Westmead BCI offer support services to assess and treat people with lymphoedema. Please contact BCI BCN for further management and referrals on (02) 8890 5656.
Alternatively, your Local GP service can provide you with details to a lymphoedema therapist. You could also find a practitioner for lymphoedema assessment and treatment via the National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register (NLPR).
For information and support, please phone the Metastatic Breast Cancer Nurses at Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead on (02) 8890 5200.
For further information contact the Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20
Support is also available through the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
A clinical psychologist is available for women/men and their families who need extra support after diagnosis of breast cancer.
Referral is required from your doctor or Breast Care Nurse.
For more information call (02) 8890 8888 or the Breast Care Nurse on (02) 8890 5656.
Referral is required. For more information call the Breast Care Nurse on (02) 8890 5656.
An Aboriginal Liaison Officer is available to support Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Contact the Social Work Department on (02) 8890 6699.
An assessment clinic for women whose family history may put them at a higher than usual risk of breast cancer and other cancers. The clinic is run by specialists in cancer genetics. Genetic testing may be appropriate for some families.
Referral is required from your doctor. For more information, speak to your treatment team or call the familial
cancer service on (02) 8890 6947.
The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute information brochure called Breast cancer in younger women is available through the clinic and online.
Contact Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for further information on support services and groups for young women with breast cancer.
Information and support is also available from the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
For more information please contact the Breast Care Nurse on (02) 8890 5656.
Peer support for men with breast cancer is available.
For information contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20, or visit the Cancer Australia website, contact a Breast Care Nurse on (02) 8890 5656.
Support is also available through the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
A cancer support group for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and their families. Held monthly.
For further information contact Narelle Holden, Social Work Department on (02) 8890 6699 or 0400 346 112.
Yoga promotes mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. As an integrative therapy, yoga provides pro-active methods for individuals to engage in a non-pharmacological intervention to moderate the physical and psychosocial impacts of cancer, reducing cancer related side effects and improving overall quality of life.
Class Times: Tuesdays 6pm – 7:30pm and Thursdays 11am – 12:30pm
Location: Westmead Education and Conference Centre, Level 2, Westmead Hospital.
Cost: $120 for 10 classes, paid to Westmead Hospital Cashier (02) 8890 3933.
Equipment is provided on site.
For further information and bookings please email: supportivecareyoga@bigpond.com.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be difficult to cope with. Many people experience feelings of shock, fear, and confusion. Sharing a cancer diagnosis is also not easy. You may worry about how cancer will change your way of life and how it will impact family and friends.
Cancer Council can help you and your family cope with cancer. Call them on 13 11 20 – to speak to their specially trained staff who can answer your questions and offer emotional and practical support.
Workshops for women, men and teenagers who have experienced any type of cancer. Various techniques are shown to help restore appearance and self image during chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments for breast and other cancers.
Workshops are held in venues across Australia, including the local health districts. For more information or to register, please phone 1800 650 960 or visit Look Good Feel Better.
Visit the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute for information about breast cancer and our treatment clinics, with access to all of our fact sheets and educational resources. The website also has information about the latest breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment and our upcoming events and activities.
Annual Breakfast
An annual celebration of life after breast cancer for patients and their families and friends.
For more information please contact the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute on (02) 8890 9682.
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute manages BreastScreen NSW – Sydney West, a screening service that provides free mammograms for women over 40. If a friend or family member would like to discuss having a free mammogram, please call the enquiry and bookings line on 13 20 50.
Free interpreter services are available if English is not your first language.
Interpreters can assist:
Printed information may also be available in your language.
To arrange an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National):
Phone: 131 450
| Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Westmead Breast Centre (Clinic) | (02) 8890 8888 |
| Familial Cancer Service | (02) 8890 6947 |
| Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Department | (02) 8890 6500 |
| Patient Representative | (02) 8890 7014 |
| Social Work Department | (02) 8890 6699 |
| Westmead Breast Cancer Institute | (02) 8890 6728 |
| Cancer Council Helpline | 13 11 20 |
| Breast Cancer Network Australia | 1800 500 258 |
| Cancer Australia |
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