Co-developing the Metastatic Breast Cancer Information and Support Hub

Around 21,000 people are living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in Australia.

Previously, specific information and resources on MBC were hard to find or didn’t exist. This made it difficult for people living with MBC to manage their diagnosis, progressions, and day to day life, including work, travel and looking after their physical and mental health.

To best support this community, MBC Action Australian (MBCAA) engaged us to co-design a website that serves as a one-stop-shop for people living with MBC, their loved ones and carers, and health professionals.

We were initially contracted to deliver the co-design process and content strategy, with 50% of our time provided in probono hours. The Social Deck then also supported the full build of the Hub through our probono bank, with an estimated $80,000 of probono support provided to this important work.

Lived experience at the heart of the MBC Hub

We took a phased approach to the design and build of the MBC Hub – co-design, content creation, build, testing and refinement.  

It was important that the lived experience of people living with MBC informed the development of the Hub, so it accurately reflects their needs.  

To achieve this, we held three co-design workshops with people living with MBC, carers and loved ones, and health professionals. These workshops helped us understand:

• current information needs, gaps and challenges

• information and resources that are helpful at different stages of an MBC diagnosis and progression

• where and how people want to access and receive support

• how the Hub should look and feel for these audiences.

During this process we also worked alongside the MBCAA sub-committee to gather, compile and sort hundreds of resources and information points that could be included in the hub.

This included establishing a system with MBCAA for content reviews and to check, verify and tier more than 150 resources held in a database.

Developing the website

Taking learnings from the co-design workshops, we began the development of the Hub, which included establishing a wireframe for clear navigation.  

We grouped information by MBC stages, from diagnosis, to living well, to planning ahead. This approach ensures the information is easy to navigate and users can access information when they’re ready for it. A dedicated page was also built for loved ones, families and carers.

Through co-design, we heard it can be difficult for people living with MBC and their loved ones to understand complex medical terms. We used these insights to develop a ‘medical terms explained’ page, an easily searchable glossary for medical terms associated with MBC.  

User testing

User testing with the primary audiences for the Hub - people living with MBC. their loved ones and carers, as well as health professionals - was a critical step in the process. Testing with these groups would help us understand if the site navigation, search functions, content and design will work for the intended audiences.

We invited members of the co-design group back to test the website, and their feedback guided further refinements ahead of launch.

We conducted two rounds of testing, each involving lived experience members of the MBCAA network and health professionals working with people who have MBC. The first round tested the Hub's structure, navigation and information areas, to confirm we'd got this right before building out the content. The second round took place once the content was developed. We walked participants through the Hub to gather their feedback on the level of information, the language used and the site's design features.

This process also gave MBCAA a set of options for future improvements to be made over time.

Website launch support

On 9 June 2026, the MBC Hub was launched.  

We provided communication support and advice for the launch of the Hub, which included social media, newsletters, third party content and print and digital resources. We created a Hub overview video introducing the site and supported MBCAA to share a ‘sneak peek’ look at the website with key stakeholders, partner organisations and members of the co-design group.  

Videos with people living with MBC and health professionals will continue to promote the value of the Hub to the community.

Project outcomes

In the first month after launch, there were more than 1,800 visits to the website, with over 1,600 unique visitors and steady daily traffic.

Feedback has been positive, indicating the Hub will be an incredibly useful resource for people living with MBC.

‘People living with advanced breast cancer often have complex needs, ranging from the physical effects of their disease to the long-term practical, social, and psychological implications. The Hub does a tremendous job at addressing all of these, whether it be demystifying some of the medical jargon that is used, ensuring people know where to go to access a breast care nurse or support group to feel connected and heard… or for advice on planning for future care. It really covers all aspects of living with advanced breast cancer and is a comprehensive and evidence-based resource that as nurses, we can confidently direct our clients to.’ - Breast Cancer Care Nurse

It was a privilege to work on this project and contribute to a valuable resource for the MBC community.

We love working on projects that have real impact and contribute to people’s health and wellbeing. If you've got a similar project that we can help with, please get in touch.