Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA)

Charity Overview

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the national body for prostate cancer in Australia. The Foundation is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on men, their partners, families and the wider community. The charity promote and fund world leading innovative research into prostate cancer, implement awareness campaigns and education programmes.

Project Summary

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australian men. Being diagnosed can have a significant impact on a sufferer and his family - coping with the condition, going through treatment and managing the many side effects associated with the disease. Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses provide invaluable support to patients and there is a growing demand for their expert skills to help men cope with a diagnosis.  

The men that I speak to say we just felt really comforted that the Nurse came out of the doctor’s appointment with us, the Nurse sat and he talked to us. It certainly provides comfort and help to alleviate the stress and helps to take away some of that pain of uncertainty and decision.
Nurses Manager.

PCFA have implemented a programme to introduce a national Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service into Australia to help improve the lives of Australian men and their families affect by the disease. To date this programme has assigned 27 Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses into both public and private hospitals across the country. The programme involves PCFA working in close partnership with healthcare professionals to recruit, train and support a number of Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses in various locations in Metropolitan and Regional Australia. PCFA launched the programme in May 2012 with an initial training event for all nurses working within the service.

We are delighted to be part of this Charity Day. The funds raised by ICAP have made a significant contribution to the programme and has enabled PCFA to support the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses through our annual training events which allows the nurses to interact and learn from experts in the field of prostate cancer. This in turn improves their skills and has a positive benefit on the patients in their care.
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, CEO, PCFA.

A donation from ICAP Charity Day 2012 in Sydney has enabled PCFA to support the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses with their professional development. The specialist nurses support men with the essential care they need; including the provision of key information, help with making complex treatment decisions, advice on managing side effects and psychosocial support. 

Funds raised from the day helped to support the PCFA programme, providing nurses with the opportunity to improve their skills and the care they offer to those affected by prostate cancer.

ICAP’s donation has created a blueprint for PCFA to carry out its essential work. PCFA is committed to campaigning for improved provision of Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses and will continue to work in partnership with the community and Government to develop a national programme.

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