PCFA is working in partnership with another charity called the Centre for Community-Driven Research (CCDR) to listen to your experience with prostate cancer. The study will include an online questionnaire that will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, as well as a structured interview by telephone that takes approximately 30 – 45 minutes. The structured interview is conducted with one of CCDR's nurses and is a great opportunity for people to talk about and document their experience to benefit others in the future. CCDR does a lot of these kinds of studies, and in past studies, participants have found that participating in the study made them feel good because they had the chance to reflect on their experience and talk about it, and also help others in the future.

New ACT volunteers provide mateship to prostate cancer patients

Men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in the ACT will now have mates they can turn to for support, thanks to a new program by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. 

Launched this week, the MatesCONNECT program connects newly diagnosed men with trained volunteers who have been through the disease in an effort to provide more local support services. 

To be connected to one of our volunteers simply call us on 1800 22 00 99 or fill in the online self-referral form HERE

Can exercise really help after a prostate cancer diagnosis? Research has found that exercise not only has physical benefits for men with prostate cancer and treatment-related symptoms, but it also helps to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Professor Daniel Galvão will be joining us for an educational webinar, providing an in-depth look at how the use of exercise physiology can aid with prostate cancer management from Androgen Deprivation Therapy side effects to managing fatigue........

Have you had treatment for prostate cancer in the past 12 months?

Our team is currently doing a research study exploring people’s experiences with physiotherapy management in prostate cancer. We are looking for people who are interested in sharing their experiences.

It does not matter if you have not seen a physiotherapist – we would still like to hear from you.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact:

Participation is voluntary.

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) – Study number 2019.107.

Study Name: Physiotherapy management in prostate cancer: A qualitative study of enablers, barriers and unmet needs

Document: Appendix 1 –Study flyer, Version & date: version 3, dated 06/08/2020, HREC 2019.107; WH local governance 24/11/2020       

Tuesday 18th May 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Register here: https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/e63f02.html 

This webinar will explore ‘intimacy and continence – what to do when incontinence joins you in the bedroom’. 

Incontinence can impact one’s self-confidence, affecting intimacy, sexuality and relationships. In this webinar we will explore challenges that can arise, including discussing or raising incontinence with a (potential) partner, how to manage the feelings of embarrassment, fear and the frustrations that can be experienced, practical issues, how these may be addressed, and where to seek help. This will be a panel discussion with a range of experts in the field, as well as people with personal experience. 

Since COVID-19, we’ve seen the need for more phone-based support options for men impacted by prostate cancer. In response, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has launched a new peer-support service on the Gold Coast this week.  Click through to check out more --> 

TUESDAY 11th MAY 2:00pm

There are a range of treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). It is very important that you discuss your options with your healthcare team. Your options involve taking medications or using devices to help your erectile function. These may be offered to you individually or as a combination.

Dr Greg Malone, a USANZ Urologist at Brisbane Urology Clinic, works in the specialty field of prostate cancer management and the sub-specialty of sexual rehabilitation following prostate cancer treatment. Dr Malone is highly experienced in the management of erectile dysfunction and practices in a wide range of treatment options for men including medications, injection therapies and surgery including penile prosthesis.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you are currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, it's important to talk to your treatment team about your eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines.

You can also call our Telenursing Service on 1800 22 00 99 for more information about your options.

Call someone you can trust. Talk to a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse who understands what you're going through.

Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer can now pick up the phone to access immediate specialist support, following the launch of a nationwide telenursing service run by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The new telehealth service, staffed by prostate cancer specialist nurses, provides a critical lifeline to the 17,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia each year, and their families, significantly reducing isolation and barriers to accessing support.

Men and their families can speak with a specialist nurse by calling 1800 22 00 99, Monday to Friday.

You can view the media release here! 

Join us at 2pm AEDT on Thursday March 18 as we embark on the Voyage to Survival.

The STARGATE Project is the first project of its kind in the world to publish a comprehensive data set explaining how the prostate cancer burden in your street or town compares to the national average.

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE 

Wednesday, March 17th at 12:00pm AEDT (Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne)

Click here to register for the event

We are currently recruiting MatesCONNECT Gold Coast Volunteers. If you have a lived experience of prostate cancer and are passionate about supporting other men, we would love to hear from you!

With over 600 Gold Coast men receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer each year it is a program of need for the region!

Please read the position description, complete the application form and email it to us at MatesCONNECT@pcfa.org.au Applications close Sunday 14th February. 

The New edition of Blue Sky News is hot off the press.

Check out your digital copy here:

https://pcfa.org.au/media/790745/pcfa_blueskynews_jan21_digital.pdf 

On behalf of the PCFA Online Community team, I would like to thank you for your considerable contributions to the community throughout 2020 in maintaining this online peer-supported forum.  Without a doubt, this year has been incredibly challenging with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting many prostate cancer pathways and access to resources and experts.

Despite the difficult year that we have encountered, it has been a year in which we have been able to achieve so much together. COVID presented us with problems but also provided a number of solutions and achievements - and some of those achievements include: the survivorship education webinar series (Available in the video blog section), support groups meetings via Zoom videoconferencing, Ask the Experts Webcasts on Urinary difficulties and Prostate Cancer Survivorship Essentials (Available in the video blog section), digital Ambassador presentations via Zoom, post-production of a prostate cancer podcast series with the University of Southern Queensland, the first ever Virtual Community Conversations event,  the pilot of the MatesCONNECT telephone-based peer support program in WA along with the transition of the Online Community to this new and engaging platform. Transitioning the Online Community to this new platform was a mammoth effort and we appreciate everyone's patience during this time and value feedback you may have on any aspects of the community.

In closing out the year I would like to thank each and every Online Community member for their contribution and feedback on improving practice throughout the year. So much has been achieved this year that will change the way of how we interact in our communities in the future. This pivot to online will also benefit men and their families affected by prostate cancer well into the future with PCFA education and engagement of the community. I look forward to supporting everyone in the PCFA Online Community in 2021.

My best wishes to you and your loved ones this festive season. Stay safe. Merry Christmas!

[ During the Christmas break, please direct all enquiries to onlinecommunity@pcfa.org.au ]

Kind regards

Christopher McNamara

Head of Community Services / Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

New research has found significant benefits in using olaparib to treat men who have metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and BRCA1, BRCA2 or ATM gene mutations.

The treatment is being considered for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, with consumer comments open from this Thursday December 24 until February 11 next year.

We’ll be advocating to have the treatment listed on the PBS – collecting your comments for submission. Email enquiries@pcfa.org.au for more information and stay posted here.

Not long to go now. Register now for Virtual Community Conversations today.

https://www.accelevents.com/e/VirtualCommunityConversations 

(Check out the attached event schedule for more details)

This year the PCFA Community Conversations event is going digital.

Register now!

No matter where you live and what you do, this year’s event is for you. 

You’ll have easy click access to world-leading scientists, game-changing specialists, and other men and women who understand what it’s like to live with prostate cancer.

Sit back and enjoy your front-row seat to podium presentations, interactive sessions, and virtual networking.

The next Advanced Prostate Cancer Phone In Meeting is scheduled for Friday 23rd October !!

Please be aware of the time difference due to daylight savings. Follow directions as per this post to dial in for the meeting.

Epworth and Icon are collaborating to lead the way in prostate cancer patient-centred care with a new precision target-based treatment - Focal Brachytherapy.

Join the experts as they educate prostate cancer patients on this new treatment option which uses MRI to identify prostate cancer, and targeted radiotherapy to treat only the tumour, instead of the whole prostate, to keep side effects to a bare minimum.

Australian behavioural scientist and chief executive of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Professor Jeff Dunn AO, has been voted President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Launching 30th September 2020 !

MatesCONNECT is a phone-based peer support service for men affected by prostate cancer in Western Australia.  

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, our MatesCONNECT service can connect you to a trained volunteer who understands what you’re going through. All of our volunteers have been through prostate cancer. 

You can get practical advice on surgery and treatment, and the side effects of treatment, such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and coping with Androgen Deprivation Therapy. 

The service is accessible wherever you live in WA. Simply call us on 1800 22 00 99. 

We’ll take your details and find a volunteer who suits your situation. While our volunteers can’t give you medical advice, they can provide you with an understanding of what to expect and give you an insight into living with prostate cancer.  

Download and print our flyer to promote this valuable service in your community.  

For questions about the service, you can contact us at enquiries@pcfa.org.au 

Erectile dysfunction medication now more affordable for Australian men.

On the 27th August, the Urological Association of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) made a statement on tadalafil (Cialis) now off-patent and more affordable for Australian Men suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Prostate Cancer Survivorship: The Long Run

For the first time, we’re bringing together experts from New York, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth to talk about the challenges of prostate cancer survivorship.

We’re calling it out – men impacted by prostate cancer face specific challenges that are seldom addressed in mainstream healthcare delivery. Our latest research pinpoints seven priority actions as a practical platform for change.

Register early to receive a copy of our Survivorship Essentials Framework and send your thoughts to our panellists before the meeting.

JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT IT!

7-8pm (AEST

Wednesday 23 September 2020

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This webcast is proudly presented by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia with thanks to the support of Astellas.

You must register to join the webcast – register now to ask your question and learn more about prostate cancer survivorship with confidence.

Not available to join us live?
Register and stay connected to view the webcast post recording via onlinecommunity.pcfa.org.au