Feedback Sought On Draft Prostate Cancer Position Statement
Targeting Cancer urges organisations, stakeholders and individuals to provide feedback on the vital draft Prostate Cancer Position Statement.
The ‘Informed Decision Making in the Management of Localised Prostate Cancer – A Patient Focused Perspective’ document advocates for men with the disease to be fully informed about all treatment options to allow them to make the best decision for them as an individual. When men need active treatment, for example surgery or radiation therapy, they need to see both the radiation oncologist and urologist to be fully informed.
Produced by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists’ Faculty of Radiation Oncology (FRO), the document calls for true multidisciplinary patient-centred care, including a consult with both a urologist and a radiation oncologist, as well as time to process options before they make their final treatment decision.
Feedback is sought on the vital draft statement aiming to highlight all potential treatment options for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
A/Prof Sandra Turner, Clinical Lead of the Targeting Cancer campaign, which is overseen by the FRO, said the statement was an important step in providing prostate cancer patients with the best possible care.
“Every man with prostate approaching active treatment – as opposed to active surveillance – must have the opportunity to discuss all available treatment options before final decisions are made,” she said.
“Information must include potential short and long-term benefits and side effects, possibility and options for further treatment, timeframes, logistics and costs of treatment.
“The statement is not about confusing patients with multiple options, but aims to ensure that every man is adequately informed of the choices available to him and has time to consider these before making the decision that feels right for him.
“Men and their loved ones may not know that radiation therapy options for instance may be just as likely to cure their cancer or have different rates of side effects or costs that surgery. Removal of the prostate is rarely the only option available for treatment.
“I urge all relevant stakeholders and interested groups and individuals to comment on the draft statement, so their views on this hugely important issue affecting Australian and New Zealand men and their families can again be factored into the final document.”
The statement has been internally reviewed several times, including by the New Zealand Radiation Oncology Executive (NZROE), Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genitourinary Group (FROGG) and the Faculty of Radiation Oncology Council. In addition, consumers and stakeholder groups have provided valuable key input throughout.
Comments and feedback on the statement should be submitted via email by Friday, May 11.
More information on the ‘Informed Decision Making in the Management of Localised Prostate Cancer – a Patient-Focused Perspective’ draft statement – including how to comment – is available by clicking here.
For more information on radiation therapy as a treatment option for prostate cancer, click here.
