Funding package to boost prostate cancer nurses

MORE prostate cancer nurses will be posted to Victoria’s highest areas of need and recorded incidence under new federal funding package to be announced today.

Prostate cancer contributed to the death of more than 800 Victorian men last year.

MORE prostate cancer nurses will be posted to Victoria’s highest areas of need and recorded incidence under new federal funding package to be announced today.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia will receive $11.8 million over the next three years for the program.

More: Melbourne doctors join forces for prostate cancer research

Study reveals why some with prostate cancer get aggressive tumours

The additional nurses, four of which will be posted to hospitals including the Alfred, Moorabbin,

Box Hill and Casey Hospital in Berwick, are expected to assist 1700 patients over three years.

Funding for the additional nurses was doubled in the Turnbull Government’s May Budget, committing a further $5.9 million to support the placement of up to 14 additional prostate cancer nurses in areas of highest need.

Prostate cancer contributed to the death of more than 800 Victorian men last year.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Australia and it is anticipated that about 16,600 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year.

Last year 3248 men died because of it nationwide, including with 838 in Victoria.

Greg Hunt. Picture: AAP

“Diagnosis of cancer is one of the most confronting health issues anyone can face but the support and compassionate care that prostate cancer nurses provide will be a great help to men as they, and their families, tackle this disease,” Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

“By funding these nurses we can make sure men battling prostate cancer receive the necessary and timely co-ordinated care they require.”

The new recruits will join the 29 existing specialist nurses who are currently working in hospitals across the country.

He said men diagnosed with prostate cancer often see a range of health care professionals over a length of time, including urologists, general practitioners, radiologists and allied health staff.

The additional nurses will provide care and support for both patients and their families, as well as health care professionals within a multidisciplinary team.

The additional locations were chosen independently by The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

[e-mail]

@rharris334