McGrath Foundation

The McGrath Foundation is a cancer care charity in Australia. It was founded in 2005 with the aim of ensuring a Breast Care Nurse is made available for every Australian family experiencing breast cancer, regardless of location or financial situation. Australian cricket player Glenn McGrath and his English-born wife, Jane McGrath, decided to establish the charity following Jane's initial diagnosis and recovery from breast cancer. Jane McGrath died on 22 June 2008 at the age of 42. In 2025 the charity diversified to include care for all types of cancer.

A goal of the McGrath Foundation is to place specialist McGrath breast care nurses (BCN).

The first tertiary-based distance education program for breast care nurses was pioneered by La Trobe University in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria in 1997.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses usually have a background in oncology, breast care or women's health and sometimes even psychology. They also require a postgraduate qualification in breast care nursing or cancer nursing, which can be studied at the Australian College of Nursing and La Trobe University. The McGrath Foundation offers four annual scholarships through the Australian College of Nursing.

An evaluation of the McGrath Foundation's first breast care nurses initiative found that patient safety was increased. Based on interviewed stakeholders, the program resulted in a reduction unnecessary hospital admissions, reduced time needed by patients from medical staff and a reduced cost on the mental health system. All surveyed women who had access to a breast care nurse felt that the nurse had enhanced their quality of life.

Another aim of the McGrath Foundation is to promote breast education among Australians. At only 31 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Jane McGrath was passionate about empowering people to take control of their health by being breast aware.

The McGrath Foundation's breast education programme was developed to ensure everyone in Australia is aware of the importance of breast health, are confident in detecting changes, are knowledgeable about the risk factors for breast cancer and are checking their breasts regularly.

According to the Foundation, the programme "aims to empower young women in particular to look after and know their bodies, and to take action that promotes their health and wellbeing". It includes resources for schools, the workplace and the community with workbooks, presentations and videos available for free download from the McGrath Foundation website.