Prostate cancer education for nurses

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men. In 1996, 10,055 Australian men were diagnosed and an estimated 65,000 men are living with this diagnosis – a significant health concern for all nurses. July 2000 saw the development of a Prostate Care Program, a collaboration between the Anti-Cancer Council and La Trobe University. This course was adapted with input from consumers and health professionals from the breast cancer nurse course, which has been successfully completed by approximately 370 nurses throughout Australia. The Prostate Care Nurse Program aims to enable nurses from Australia and overseas to participate in prostate specific education, then link with the Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration and State Cancer Councils. The 13-week course consists of 11 sessions with assessment via essays and activities. The topics are: the prostate; non-cancerous problems and treatments; prostate cancer; treatments for prostate cancer; treatments for advanced prostate cancer; prostate care nurse role and cancer councils; adverse outcomes to treatments; life after a prostate cancer diagnosis; diet and complementary therapies; and prostate care nurses and peer support. A fee of $900 covers the study guide and readings, orientation day or teleconferencing, academic support assessment and certificate indicating grade, and can be undertaken as a certificate or part of a graduate diploma in advanced nursing. There is an ongoing requirement of 12 hours of education per year to be completed through the Australian Prostate Cancer Collaboration and State Cancer Councils.