03 October 2019
Tasmanians impacted by prostate cancer now have increased access to a dedicated Prostate Cancer Specialist thanks to fundraisers who participated in Dry July last year.
A three-year agreement between the Northern Cancer Service, Launceston General Hospital and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) will enable Jennifer Siemsen to work in a dedicated prostate cancer specialist nursing role and expand the availability of the services to help more men and their families.
This position will provide care and support across the North and North West.
Professor Jeff Dunn AO, PCFA's Chief Executive Officer, reiterated the importance of Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses in supporting men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.
"This addition to our nursing program has been made possible through the support of Dry July Foundation, one of PCFA's long-term partners, who have generously allocated funds to this dedicated Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing position,'" he said.
"Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is very thankful for the community and government support, which has helped us fund Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing positions in 46 locations across Australia," Professor Dunn said.
Brett Macdonald, Chief Executive and Founder of Dry July said that they were delighted with the announcement by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia regarding the expanded commitment to providing a Prostate Cancer Specialist nursing position in Launceston.
"We understand the need for more specialist nurses across Australia and Dry July will continue to do everything that we can to support PCFA to grow and facilitate this program because it is so important," Mr Macdonald said.
Jennifer Siemsen, who will take up the extended role at Northern Cancer Service, said she was pleased with this service increase to allow better coverage of the local demand for care:
"I am delighted to be taking on this role to support and empower prostate cancer patients and their families in understanding and managing the often-difficult decisions, concerns and anxieties around the impact of a cancer diagnosis and all that follows," she said.
"The role provides a single point of contact for these men and their families to access reliable, timely information and supportive services in their cancer journey. The hope is to enable men living in our community to live as well as possible post their prostate cancer diagnosis."
Ms Siemsen said that it was important for people to know about the role and the value it would bring to men and their families.
"My aim over the next three years is also to raise awareness of Prostate cancer through community engagement and education."
