executive summary
Prostate Cancer. The research was conducted in March and April 2012. We found that Australian men see prostate cancer as the single most important health issue they face and one of the top five health issues for the community at large. We were extremely pleased to see that PCFA’s efforts to raise awareness and knowledge of prostate cancer are paying off with a 12% increase in the percentage of men who feel informed about the disease over the past decade. Awareness and knowledge of the PSA test has also increased and with more than 40% of men now being tested every year. However, we also found that almost 40% of men believe the advice they receive about testing is confusing. The need for clear and consistent advice about testing, supported by every medical college and all other interested parties, is evident. I am pleased to report that PCFA is working in collaboration with National Health and Medical Research Council, Cancer Council Australia and the various medical colleges and other expert groups to develop national evidence-based clinical guidelines on PSA testing and management of test detected prostate cancer. Once developed, these guidelines will be a national and international first. Support In our community attitudes survey we also found that almost one quarter of men who have been diagnosed with or are undergoing further investigation for prostate cancer contacted a support organisation and found it to be a very valuable source of information and support. Pleasingly, prostate cancer support groups were very highly rated by participants in the survey, with an average satisfaction score of 8 out of 10. However, we also found that men lack knowledge of support services
and need health professionals to be more active in guiding them to appropriate information and support. With funding from the Federal Government through Cancer Australia, PCFA continues to strengthen and grow our national network of affiliated support groups. I am pleased to report that we now have 135 affiliated support groups in every State and Territory across Australia, including two support groups in Melbourne and Sydney specifically for gay and bisexual men. Many new support groups are currently planned and we expect to increase the number substantially over the coming year. On 3rd May, with the very generous support of Movember, we launched Australia’s first Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service. This three year pilot program has placed 13 specialist nurses in every State and Territory, with a mix of metropolitan, rural and regional hospital locations and in both the public and private systems. The specialist nurses will help those affected by prostate cancer by: • Providing a point of contact and support for patients and carers • Assisting patients to access services in their hospital and in their community both during and after treatment • Providing reliable information about diagnosis and treatment plans • Coordinating care wherever a patient is in their cancer journey.
Movember provided $5 million of funding for PCFA’s research program; and $1.1 million of additional funding for the first part of the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service, bringing Movember’s total funding for the nursing service to $3.6 million. I would also like to thank Commonwealth Bank for their support as major sponsor of our September fundraising and awareness campaign, The Big Aussie Barbie. Commonwealth Bank staff at branches around Australia generously contributed their time to raise awareness of prostate cancer and funds for PCFA. Commonwealth Bank is PCFA’s longest standing partner and it is a partnership of which PCFA is very proud. PCFA also received very generous support from Pirtek through the Pirtek Fishing Challenge and other fundraising initiatives. This year 6,500 anglers competed in the Pirtek Fishing Challenge with 100% of entry fees going directly to PCFA. Finally, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to Chairman David Sandoe OAM, Deputy Chairman Jim Hughes AM, the National Board, State Boards and National Committees, and the thousands of support group members and Ambassador speakers around Australia who generously contribute their time supporting men and their families affected by prostate cancer and raising awareness of the disease. Together we can be justifiably proud of PCFA’s work in research, awareness and support.
Thank you to our supporters PCFA’s work would not be possible without our many wonderfully generous supporters and volunteers who contribute their time and money to the cause. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the very generous support of our major benefactor, The Movember Foundation.
Dr Anthony Lowe Chief Executive Officer
annual report 2011-2012
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