Icon Group and Mackay Base Hospital announce specialist prostate cancer nurse

Local men with prostate cancer and their families will soon have access to a greater level of support throughout their cancer treatment, following the introduction of a prostate cancer specialist nurse at Icon Cancer Centre Mackay and Mackay Base Hospital under the Federal Government’s Prostate Cancer Nurses Program.

The nurse will work across cancer treatment, surgical and perioperative services at Icon Cancer Centre Mackay and Mackay Base Hospital to support prostate cancer patients in all areas of their care, from diagnosis through to treatment and beyond.

This comes following an investment of $23 million by the Government to expand the Prostate Cancer Nurses Program through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, with nurses to be employed at 24 health services or cancer centres across the country.

From the point of diagnosis, the nurse will provide education and information about treatment plans, how to access services both in the hospital and community and be an ongoing point of contact and support for men and families.

“We are delighted to share this position with our partners in healthcare and it will ensure that people affected by prostate cancer have a smoother journey as they progress from diagnosis to treatment and recovery,” Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Jo Whitehead said.

“This guiding hand will lighten the load of patients and their loved ones. We know that good support and connection to information and services is as important as the medical treatment.”