Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), Tracy Scott and Nancy Consoli have been awarded two-year positions as the regions Prostate Cancer Nurse Specialists. The roles are based at Calvary Mater Newcastle, the region’s main public hospital for cancer care and treatment, but are available to patients throughout the district.
With prostate cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men these positions are a welcome and much-needed addition to the region.
PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses help patients understand their prostate cancer diagnosis, what to expect and connect them with services to address the challenges that they may encounter along the way.
Nancy comments, “These positions are a wonderful addition to our region’s existing cancer services. We will be providing supportive care and co-ordination of care to prostate cancer patients and their families, together with raising community awareness and carrying out research.”
With over 57 years of nursing experience between Nancy and Tracy, this team is well placed to support prostate cancer patients and their families. “We feel very privileged to be able to help our region’s men and their families get the support they need, when they need it most,” says Tracy.
PCFA's Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service was first launched in 2012 and has made significant progress to expand its reach to metropolitan and regional areas across Australia. Today, there are 45 prostate cancer specialist nurses across major metropolitan and regional hospitals in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
PCFA’s Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Freame said, “We are delighted to partner with Calvary Mater Newcastle. This will ensure that men with this disease, and their families, get the support they need at the right time, in the right place.”
“For many men, their diagnosis is the first time they have given prostate cancer a thought. Most have no understanding of the disease or treatment and it can cause a lot of fear and uncertainty. Friends and families are vital, but specialist nurses have the knowledge and skills to help men at all stages in their cancer journey – diagnosis, treatment and aftercare.”