24 February 2025
Australia’s leading medical authorities have called for an urgent increase in prostate cancer specialist nurses for men facing the country’s most common cancer, warning that demand for care is rapidly outstripping supply, particularly in regional areas.
At least 21 new specialist nurses are needed to meet the rapidly growing demand for care, with men in regional areas the hardest hit.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, accounting for one in three cancers diagnosed among men.
With one in five men likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is lobbying the government to fund new nurses in health services around Australia, including Alice Springs, Mt Isa, Roma, Port Augusta, and the WA outback.
Professor Helen O'Connell, President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, implored the Government to act.
“Over recent years, waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment have continued to grow, with particularly difficult impacts for families in regional areas, where men face a 24 per cent higher risk of death from prostate cancer.
“The disparity for Indigenous men is even more significant, equivalent to a 50 per cent increased risk of mortality.
“Prostate cancer specialist nurses, supported by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, play an essential role in supporting Australian men with their treatment and survivorship, reducing the burden of disease and minimising health system costs by ensuring men receive timely and effective care.
“With an ageing and increasing population, and more and more men in our community likely to be diagnosed each year, it is imperative that PCFA’s Specialist Nursing Service continues to grow to meet demand.”
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has written to the Federal Government seeking $7.7 million in funding over three years to employ 21 additional Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses nationwide.
PCFA’s Director of Nursing, Adjunct Professor Sally Sara, said high numbers of men were missing out on the care they need.
“There are 250,000 Australian men alive today after a prostate cancer diagnosis who will experience poorer survival outcomes and significantly diminished quality of life because they don’t have access to specialist nursing support to navigate their survivorship.
“Unlike general cancer nurses, prostate cancer specialist nurses provide highly specialised clinical care both pre-and post-treatment, with strong oversight and support from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.”
According to an independent financial evaluation of PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service by Deloitte and the University of Queensland, the program provides a return on investment of $1.65 for every dollar spent.
This includes an improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life valued at over $25 million and almost $6 million in reduced ED presentations and hospitalisations.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has written to local Federal representatives to call for their support.
“Our specialist nurses provide skilled, personalised care that significantly improves health outcomes, reduces anxiety, addresses physical and psychological impacts of diagnosis and treatment, and ensures continuity of care and support in the months and years that follow,” Adjunct Professor Sara says.
“Prostate cancer accounts for more hospitalisations than any other form of cancer in the country, demonstrating the need for specialist support and ongoing expansion of our service in areas of high need, such as the WA and Queensland Outback, and in Alice Springs.
“We will continue to advocate to the Government on this and will be talking to all parties ahead of the Federal election,” Adjunct Professor Sara says.
Australian men with prostate cancer face a 70 per cent increased risk of suicide death.
