Prostate cancer telephone helpline: nursing from a different perspective

Prostate cancer is now the most common male cancer in the UK with 32000 men diagnosed annually (Cancer Research UK, 2006). The increasing numbers of men diagnosed, as well as those requiring ongoing support, places a huge burden on NHS services. The best options for managing the disease are not yet known, and the development of newer treatments has increased the difficulty men face in making the right choice. The important role The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential nurse-led helpline plays in providing information and support to men and their families will be demonstrated in this article. The specialist nurses who deliver this service are highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced. The training and support they need to deliver this service effectively is provided through a variety of methods which will be described. Our priority is to assure the ongoing quality is maintained for every caller and an effective skill set is maintained.