North Shore Prostate Cancer Support Group was established in 1995 at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney’s north.

It is recognised by The Cancer Council of New South Wales and affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Group provides information and support to people impacted by prostate cancer (men, their families and friends) from a man’s diagnosis to life after treatment decision-making.

The Group does not provide individual medical advice.

Activities

Meetings are friendly and welcoming - attended by men with prostate cancer, their families, partners and friends, who have the opportunity to keep up to date on the occasions a guest speaker, usually from cancer-related health professions, is available. There will be time allocated to ask questions and receive answers drawn from their specialist knowledge and expertise. At other meetings throughout the year, group attendees have a chance to discuss their cancer-related experiences amongst themselves with the support of the committee members. Private discussions at these meetings remain in the meeting room.

The meetings also provide opportunity for members to exchange their experiences in a caring and informal environment over light refreshments.  All are welcome - there is no requirement that treatment is based at Royal North Shore Hospital.

At the Group's monthly meetings, a small collection of up-to-date information resources are also available about prostate cancer and its range of treatments.

One-to-one personal support is also available (at meetings and/or by telephone) from specially trained volunteers who are also the Group’s Management Committee.

The Group has a member contact list, which enables them to be regularly informed (by e-mail where possible) about speakers and topics for approaching meetings. The list is kept strictly confidential, and not shared with anyone, however sometimes items of particular interest, updated treatment options and latest research news from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia will also be sent.

Although membership is largely from suburbs in Sydney’s north, the Group includes members from all areas of Sydney.

There is no charge for any of the Group's services. Currently the Group does not receive external funding as we have only recently re-started the NSPCSG and hence we will

re-apply to PCFA for funds.

Meeting Details:

When: 2nd Thursday of each month throughout the year (except December and January)

Where: Level 5, Kolling Building on the corner Reserve Road and Westbourne Street, St Leonards.

This location is within the campus of Royal North Shore Hospital.  The Kolling Institute is a medical research and clinical educational hub, providing the Group with excellent facilities to host support meetings.

Getting There: Kolling is easily accessible by public transport.  It is a short walk from St. Leonards train station, Bus route 114 runs from Balmoral to the hospital entrance. Buses from Epping, North Shore, Ryde and Sydney city regularly stop at the hospital bus stop on Pacific Highway. If driving, there are metered spaces on the hospital grounds adjacent to the Kolling building, or in the hospital car park P2.

Time: 5pm

Light refreshments are provided at each meeting before the guest speaker’s presentation, and everyone is invited to stay on after to enjoy a chat.