The Weekly Advertiser Horsham

Prostate nurse offering support

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Wimmera men with prostate cancer can access specialise­d support closer to home after a Horsham cancer centre recruited the region’s first prostate cancer specialist nurse.

Mandy Johns will work with health-care teams at Wimmera Cancer Centre to help men affected by the disease as part of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Specialist Nursing Service.

She will work alongside oncology nurse practition­er Carmel O’kane and the team at Wimmera Cancer Centre, visiting medical oncologist­s and urologist Richard Mcmullin.

Ms Johns said she was honoured to fill an essential role in the Wimmera to help diagnose, spread awareness and reduce effects of prostate cancer.

“I am available on a community level to provide general awareness on prostate health, and for those diagnosed with prostate cancer providing informatio­n and support regarding treatment options, managing side effects as well as supportive care to their partners and families,” she said.

“My catchment area encompasse­s Northern Grampians, Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambia­ck municipali­ties.”

Ms Johns encouraged men to come forward for a health check, with early detection of prostate cancer critical to providing effective treatment.

“It is possible to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, therefore it is imperative that men are aware of their risk factors and prostate health in general,” she said.

“And contrary to widespread belief, it’s a simple blood test, so I encourage men to make an appointmen­t and have the conversati­on with their GP.” Cancer foundation nursing programs director Sally Sara said Ms Johns was a welcome addition to the service.

“Good support and connection to informatio­n and services is incredibly important in a diagnosis of prostate cancer,” she said.

“The Wimmera Cancer Centre commitment will vastly improve the support available to local men and families impacted by the disease, giving men much greater confidence that they can navigate the challenges of prostate cancer with all the support they need.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in Australian men, with about 16,700 men newly diagnosed annually. Each year in Australia about 3152 men will die from the disease.

Higher risk

Cancer foundation chief executive Jeff Dunn said men living in rural and regional parts of Australia who were diagnosed with the disease were at higher risk of death.

“Of concern to the growing burden of prostate cancer on the Australian community, men with a family history of prostate cancer have double the risk of being diagnosed, and men in regional and rural areas of Australia face a 24 percent higher risk of death,” he said.

“About one in five men with prostate cancer experience long-term anxiety and depression and many will struggle to cope with the challenges of diagnosis and treatment. Specialist nurses play a critical role in providing guidance, care and support.”

People can call Ms Johns at Wimmera Cancer Centre on 5381 9169 for more informatio­n or Wimmera Prostate Cancer Support Group leader Brian Nagorcka on 0448 710 628 for support.

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