United: Specialist nurse Nicole Lewis, Shepparton's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch treasurer Robert Bell, specialist nurse Sonia Strachan, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia director of nursing Sally Sara and GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp continue to work together to improve prostate cancer outcomes.
Photo by
Lauren Formica
The barriers around men’s health and wellbeing continue to be knocked down by Goulburn Valley Health prostate cancer specialist nurses Nicole Lewis and Sonia Strachan, as they partner with Shepparton’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
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The foundation’s director of nursing, Sally Sara, said the service provided by the two specialist nurses was exceptional.
“The foundation is incredibly proud of the partnership we have with Goulburn Valley Health and its impact on the ground,” Ms Sara said.
“The number of men that Nicole and Sonia see each year has grown significantly in the last few years.”
She said the Prostate Cancer Service at GV Health was a flagship service, and they put new nurses in other regional areas in touch with Ms Lewis and Ms Strachan because of their outstanding expertise.
“They’re great mentors and great role models for other prostate cancer nurses,” Ms Sara said.
Working together: Specialist nurse Nicole Lewis, Shepparton's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch treasurer Robert Bell, specialist nurse Sonia Strachan, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia director of nursing Sally Sara and GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp.
Photo by
Lauren Formica
Yesterday, GV Health was delighted with a visit by Ms Sara and Shepparton’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch treasurer Robert Bell.
Ms Sara was impressed by the service of GV Health and the work of the Biggest Ever Blokes Ever Lunch.
She said this partnership helped achieve positive outcomes in the community.
“Treating prostate cancer often comes with impact on bowel function, bladder function, sexual function — things that men generally don't really want to talk about, but there are things that can be done to help,” Ms Sara said.
“The service that Sonia and Nicole have set up involves touching base at set intervals for several years after treatment finished … It’s about making sure that no-one is on their own when they are diagnosed, deciding what treatment option to take and after treatment.”
Men living in regional and rural areas of Australia have about a 24 per cent higher rate of dying from prostate cancer than men in urban areas.
Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 70 per cent higher risk of suicide, compared to men the same age in the general community.
“Having nurses in roles like this where they’re checking in both the physical impact of prostate cancer but also the mental health aspects is really important, particularly in a regional area,” Ms Sara said.
It had been two years since the foundation visited GV Health, and Ms Lewis and Ms Strachan were thrilled to share that since the previous visit, they had been able to change their biopsy procedure, with the introduction of a new transperineal biopsy machine, which is scheduled to begin operating next month.
Funding for the machine was raised by Male Bag Foundation, Freemasons Foundation Victoria, GV Health Foundation and Shepparton's Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch last year.
The machine will allow men to receive the best prostate cancer treatment at GV Health instead of travelling to Melbourne.
Mr Bell said he had been overwhelmed by the support the Goulburn Valley community had shown towards raising funds for prostate cancer.
“Other than raising funds to support the cause, it is about awareness,” he said.
“Last lunch we had about 900 guys attend, and if 10 of those men go and get checked then we are successful.
“Our role is to educate the public as well as raising money.”
Chief executive Matt Sharp said GV Health’s relationship and agreements with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch were important for the region.
“What’s really important from the system perspective is how different agencies and providers come together, whether that be indirect service delivery or supporting and enabling increased services, which is what both the foundation and Shepparton’s Biggest Ever Bloke Lunch committee do,” he said.
“It is very humbling to see the support the community shows events like the Biggest Blokes Lunch.
