Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with survivorship care recognised as essential to addressing the multiple physical, psychological, and social challenges associated with treatment. Australian Prostate Centre (APC) is a novel, not-for-profit service, established to meet the clinical and survivorship needs of uninsured patients. APC introduced a multidisciplinary allied health survivorship program to support men living with PCa, from time of diagnosis through all treatment phases.
The survivorship program adopts a person-centred, evidence-based approach, delivered by a team of allied health professionals including PCa nurses, pelvic floor physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, a psychologist and a prostate cancer GP. Services are coordinated and integrated through a shared care model in collaboration with treating specialists: urologists, radiation and medical oncologists.
Key care components include: tailored PCa education for patients and partners including treatment effects; supervised group and individual exercise programs targeting muscle strength, bone health, and fatigue; dietary counselling to address metabolic changes; psychological support to manage anxiety, depression, and assessment, pelvic floor physiotherapist management of any treatment related incontinence and nursing management of sexual dysfunction.
Patients undergo a holistic needs assessment and develop an individual survivorship care plan in collaboration with the team. APC PCa nurses play a pivotal role in triaging patient care. Outcomes are tracked using validated quality-of-life measures and functional assessments. Services are readily coordinated between clinicians and disciplines to ensure timely access for patients to meet their supportive care needs.
Preliminary outcomes suggest improved patient engagement, symptom management, and quality of life. The program also supports equitable access to survivorship care in a public setting, reducing barriers for men from rural, culturally diverse, and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
This model demonstrates the feasibility and benefit of integrated survivorship care for men with PCa within the constraints of a public system.