Nurse-led side effects clinics for men with prostate cancer
The Irish Cancer Society, in partnership with The Movember Foundation, has today revealed its plans to open specialist nurse-led side effects clinics for men with prostate cancer in 2014. The clinics, which will be located in two designated cancer care centres, will be launched next year on a pilot basis under a new programme called the Care, Advice, Support and Education (CASE) initiative. The incidence of prostate cancer is growing every year with 3,172 men diagnosed in Ireland in 2010.
CASE is a three year funded programme by the Irish Cancer Society and The Movember Foundation with a view to piloting two side effects clinics in St. James’s Hospital and Galway University Hospital. The clinics will be staffed by specialist prostate cancer nurses who will provide quality of life care to men following their treatment in partnership with the current clinical care team. It is hoped that the clinics will be in operation by mid-2014.
Prostate cancer survivors have a variety of experiences in terms of side effects following treatment. While many men make a full recovery, this process can take some time and requires support for side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction as well as for the emotional and psychosocial impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis.
John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “We know that many men struggle with the side effects of prostate cancer treatment and that often it can be difficult to talk about and get help where it’s required. We are opening these Nurse-Led Side Effects Clinics in 2014 with a view to alleviating the impact of these effects on men and to help them cope with the support of specialist prostate cancer nurses.
The side-effects clinics will enhance and add value to the current post-treatment follow up care team, rather than replace them. With more men being diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, the Society is committed to ensuring that effective supports are in place to help men at a challenging time.”
Neill Rooney, Country Manager of Movember Ireland, said: "Movember are committed to ensuring that men who have been affected by prostate cancer have the very best care and support available to help them through their cancer journey. Nurse-Led Side Effects Clinics will make a real difference to the lives of these men through the care provided by specialist prostate cancer nurses."
The new clinics are a direct response to feedback received from prostate cancer survivors which found that they were not prepared for, and had difficulty coping with, the severity of the physical and emotional side-effects of their treatment.
Anyone who is concerned about cancer should call the Irish Cancer Society's National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurse of visit www.cancer.ie.
If you would like to support men with prostate cancer through services such as this, register for Movember by clicking the button below.
