Galway University Hospital will be one of two centres in the State to pilot a specialist nurse-led side effects clinic for men with prostate cancer.
The clinics, which will be located in Galway University Hospital and St James’s Hospital, will be launched in mid-2014, under the Care, Advice, Support and Education initiative, a three year funded programme by the Irish Cancer Society and The Movember Foundation
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.
Each year 3,172 men are diagnosed in Ireland with prostrate cancer. 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 the emotional and psychosocial impact of a diagnosis.
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.
“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,” said Neill Rooney, country manager of Movember Ireland. “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.”
Those concerned about cancer should call the Irish Cancer Society National Cancer Helpline 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurse of visit www.cancer.ie Movember, the month long event where men grow moustaches to raise money for Action Prostate Cancer, an initiative of the Irish Cancer Society, is taking place all this month. For more information see www.movember.com
