Prostate cancer patients from across Peel Region benefit from new specialist nurse
GenesisCare Mandurah goes the distance for The Long Run Fundraiser during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Local blokes from across the Peel Region will now have access to tailored specialist support, thanks to the introduction of a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse at GenesisCare Mandurah.
The new nurse, Sharon Adams, who recently joined the team at GenesisCare in Mandurah, will provide care and support to men and their families throughout their entire journey with prostate cancer, from diagnosis, through to treatment, side effect management and after care.
The position at GenesisCare is part of the Federal Government’s recent $23 million expansion to the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia’s specialist nursing program which will support existing prostate cancer nurses and place specialist nurses in areas of high need.
Ms Adams said she was honoured to join the team at GenesisCare Mandurah as the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse and is looking forward to supporting local men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.
“Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can be incredibly confronting and lots of men find it difficult to navigate the different treatment options and services available.”
“I feel incredibly privileged to be able to provide highly personalised care and support for men across the Peel region and to help men and their families join the dots and navigate care pathways,” said Ms Adams.
According to the STARGATE project, a portal run by PCFA that gives Australian access to prostate cancer statistics for every suburb nationwide, Mandurah men have the third highest diagnosis rate for prostate cancer in Australia at 210 people per 100,000.
PCFA’s Director of Nursing Programs, Sally Sara, said Sharon would be a welcome addition to the nationwide Service.
“From the point of diagnosis, the nurse will offer expert education and information about treatment plans, referrals to services both in the hospital and community, and provide an ongoing point of contact and support for men and families.
“Good support and connection to information and services is incredibly important in a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
GenesisCare General Manager for Oncology in West Australia, Louise Coffey, said up to 150 patients would be seen by the specialist nurse each year.
“Around 150 men in the local region are diagnosed with cancer each year, and many of them will need ongoing care and support in the days and months after treatment,” said Louise Coffey.
“It’s important that a patient’s physical and psychological needs are looked after. It is well documented that a multidisciplinary approach to cancer management leads to better patient outcomes and a higher quality of life for both patients and their families.
To celebrate Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the team at GenesisCare Mandurah are also taking part in PCFA’s fundraising initiative The Long Run, clocking up more than 72KM in the month of September to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by prostate cancer.
Patient Services Officer at GenesisCare Mandurah, Karyn Young, said: “The entire team here in Mandurah will be wearing blue clothes every Wednesday throughout September and we have been encouraging our patients to join in the fun as well.’
“We have a Guess the beans in the Bottle competition running to help with our fundraising efforts and the department is looking fabulous. Our feet will no doubt be very sore by the end of the month but it is all worth it to be able to support such a great cause and the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia.”
To join The Long Run, visit www.thelongrun.org.au, or for support, reach out to PCFA on 1800 22 00 99.
