Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses (PCSN) work with doctors and others involved as they provide care and support to men and their families in all areas of prostate cancer care – whether you are newly diagnosed or have already had some treatment.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Emma Pocock services the MLHD region, which encompasses Mulwala, Corowa and right up to Lake Cargelligo.
Ms Pocock said that there is still a lot of stigma surrounding the intimate nature of prostate cancer and that men don’t always feel comfortable about sharing their health concerns.
“There can often be a ‘she’ll be right’ mentality. But we’re here to help change the conversation around prostate cancer and encourage all men to understand their risks and testing options as it could save their life,” Ms Pocock said.
“Now men simply start with a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test which they can speak with their GP about. This is PSA test helps identify concerns with the prostate. Monitoring PSA levels in the blood helps to detect prostate cancer early.
“The good news is, if detected in stage 1, prostate cancer five-year survival rates are at nearly 100 per cent so it’s really important that prostate cancer is detected early.
“If a GP notices an elevated or abnormal PSA level, men will be referred to a urologist for further investigation.”
Men at any age that notice something different about their prostate or their toilet habits should see a GP but those who have prostate cancer in their family history are urged to get regular testing.
“Your risk increases as you get older. Men with a family history of prostate cancer aged over 40 are encouraged to get tested every two years, and men without a family history over the age of 50 are encouraged to get tested,” Ms Pocock said.
“Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the very earliest stages. As the cancer grows, men may experience symptoms such as difficulty or pain with urinating or changes to urination, pain in the lower back, hips, thighs or lower back or blood in urine or semen.
“If men notice any of these changes, they should book an appointment with their GP immediately.”
Locally the likelihood of men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer sits slightly below the national average with both the Murray/Riverina region, which encompasses Corowa and the Shepparton region which encompasses Yarrawonga, both sitting above the national average for a number of years before declining.
Ms Pocock said that men in the Riverina region have a 33% higher rate of prostate cancer diagnosis compared to the population average.
“There are 2,357 men in the MLHD region living after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and an estimated 194 men will be newly diagnosed this year,” Ms Pocock said.
“Eighty-three percent of men in the Riverina region are diagnosed at Stage 1, when the prospects for survival are the strongest and have a 12% increased risk of death compared to the population average.
“We know that across the country, men living in regional or rural areas have a 24% increased risk of dying from prostate cancer than their urban counterparts.”
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre specialist prostate cancer care nurse Cindy Shaw joined the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Specialist Nursing Service last year offering support to more than 3600 men across the local region living with prostate cancer.
Ms Shaw, who previously worked in research at the cancer centre, said she was motivated to become a prostate cancer nurse because she knows many men struggle to navigate the system and get the right support.
“I’m passionate about improving the health of regional Australians and working with local men and families by sharing my knowledge to help them through this journey,” she said.
“Knowledge opens doors - and those doors can lead to better understanding of treatment options, accessing clinical trials, physical and emotional support, confidence, peace of mind, better management of side effects and mental health, and other practical assistance.
“As we continue to navigate COVID-19 restrictions, we are also available to support men via telehealth to ensure continued care during this critical time.”
Both Ms Pocock and Ms Shaw agreed that being aware of what prostate cancer is and how it can be treated is vitally important and that men should come forward for regular testing.
“Men can reach out to speak with a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse for information and support by phoning 1800 22 00 99.”
Read more:
Locals urge men to make prostate a priority
The sobering statistics
15°C