Having access to information empowers cancer patients to make sound and well informed choices, says the North East's new prostate cancer specialist nurse.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sally Timmins, who previously worked for 12 years as a breast and gynaecological cancer nurse for North East Health, was recently appointed the service's first specialist prostate cancer nurse after the position was funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Ms Timmins said she saw first hand how important navigator positions, roles that help support guide patients to resources, were when she worked in the border cancer collaboration.
"They make a big difference to patients and families," she said.
"It's about providing reliable information for men.
"With information comes power, if you understand what your options are and why you're doing what you're doing, it can make it easier to cope with some of the concerns people have from their diagnosis. Information is very important and empowers people to make sound and well informed choices."
One in five men with prostate cancer experience long-term anxiety and depression, while the disease and treatment can also cause other physical side effects.
"It's really important there is support for these men in the community well beyond the initial treatment and acute treatment phases," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
North East Health Wangaratta's chief executive Tim Griffith said about 320 men in the region were diagnosed with cancer each year and the prostate cancer specialist nurse service would be life changing for them and their families.
Ms Timmins said as part of her new role she wants to set up a prostate cancer support group for men in the North East so they can share their experiences and concerns with people with similar experiences.
"Many men say what a difference support groups make, in helping them make decisions and having the support of other men who have similar experiences and concerns," she said.
Another key part of the role will be to educate the community on prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers for males with 45 Australian men diagnosed a day. One in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by age 85.
"We know we can avoid many of the deaths from prostate cancer if we can improve early detection and treatment," she said.
"I've been working in cancer services for a very long time and I'm very passionate about equity in services. I feels it's really important people with cancer have equitable access to information and support, and we know some cancer types are very well supported and others are less well supported."
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
