Albury Wodonga is set to host a full time specialist prostate cancer nurse, one of 14 new positions funded by the Australian Government to be allocated across Australia.

The nurse, located at the new Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, is among the new recruits joining 29 existing nurses currently working in hospitals across the country.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting men, with over 16,000 Australians expected to be diagnosed this year and, despite a 95 per cent five-year survival rate, more than 3,000 men die from it each year.

Local Federal MP Sussan Ley said “the Albury based nurse will be available to local men with cancer, and their families, offering the support and information they need”.

“Someone diagnosed with prostate cancer will often need to see a range of health care professionals, including a urologist, general practitioner, radiologist and allied health staff.”

“This funding means our local nurse can provide advice and coordinated care, with improved access to those specialists and the services they need from diagnosis onwards”, Ms Ley said.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is implementing the program, with expansion of the specialist service made possible after the Federal Government allocated a further $ 5.9 million over three years as part of the 2017/18 Federal Budget.

More details on the 14 new nurse positions is available on the PCFA website.