PROSTATE cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 25,000 men diagnosed each year.
In the Swan Hill region, only 22.1 per cent of prostate cancers are detected at the first stage when the disease is easiest to treat.
Through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s national nursing service, Swan Hill District Health community health nurses, such as Leanne Bibby, are available to offer specialised care and support to men and their loved ones facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Ms Bibby shares her experience as a prostate cancer specialist nurse since starting in December last year, along with her background in nursing and cancer care, and what she looks forward to achieving in the role.
“When the role was first created, I thought very long about whether to apply, as I was already working full-time,” she said.
“But I had already commenced a service delivery plan for the prostate cancer nursing position at SHDH, and have always been very passionate about rural health.”
Having worked at SHDH for more than 20 years in various roles, Ms Bibby has a wealth of experience in the provision of cancer services.
“I was the second McGrath breast care nurse at SHDH Community Health and recently completed a 12-month project working with improving the optimal cancer-care pathway for the Aboriginal population,” Ms Bibby said.
“I have seen cancer services grow so much during my career, including the initiation of a cancer care co-ordinator role, the establishment of a wig service and more recently the commencement of a nurse led survivorship clinic at SHDH Community Health.”
Ms Bibby first embarked on a nursing career in the early 1990s, and spent time in aged care, midwifery, maternal health, community health, sexual and reproductive health, and cancer prevention.
“I worked in a nurse-led sexual and reproductive health clinic for 15 years, including providing cervical screening within a nurse led model and increasing referral pathways,” she said.
“My transition to working in cancer services was in 2015 when I commenced as the McGrath breast care nurse and continue in that role in a job-share capacity.”
When asked about what she looks forward to most in her new role as a prostate cancer specialist nurse, Ms Bibby spoke about the need for local support and advocacy.
“The establishment of a PCSN service in Swan Hill will enhance the coordination of care for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and provide a local point of contact for themselves and their family,” she said.
“Assisting with unmet supportive care needs is a major factor for why I wanted to commence the role.
“Access to local support, advocacy and development of referral pathways within the multidisciplinary team will aim to improve outcomes for clients and expand on the excellent cancer supportive care provided within our community.”
Ms Bibby joins a national network of more than 110 nurses.
For more information about PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing network, visit pcfa.org.au or call 1800 22 00 99.
The local service will operate at Community Health, 125 Campbell Street, Swan Hill, Mondays and Tuesdays, 8.30am to 5pm.
Call 0460 873 764 or email pcsn@shdh.org.au
Facts and figures
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
- More than 25,400 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023.
- Seventy Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer.
- Ten Australian men will die each day from the disease.
- There are 250,000 Australian men alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
- Between 1982-1987 and 2012-2016, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58 per cent to 95 per cent.
