OUR PEOPLE | Leanne Prosser
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
Traralgon, Gippsland, Victoria.
It has been more than two years since Leanne has been working as a PCSN, helping men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families navigate through a difficult time and answering questions they are so concerned about.
A Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse (PCSN) position was vacant at the same time when Leanne's husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer – he is one of the 20,000 Australian men that each year are diagnosed with the disease.
After doing some research on his condition to educate herself, Leanne decided, prompted by her chemotherapy manager, to apply for the position and she was successful.
In 2017, Leanne was the winner of the Astellas award which allowed her to work for 5 days with Australian Prostate Centre (APC) Melbourne observing prostate cancer treatments, therapies and workshops. This has been one of the most significant accomplishments in Leanne's career.
She also started a "Look good feel better" workshop for men, which has been acknowledged for its record attendance numbers.
"Having enough time to do everything that needs to be done in only two days a week is challenging," Leanne says.
Anyone would think that Leanne's commitment to support men diagnosed with prostate cancer is limited to her working hours at Latrobe Regional Hospital. However, it goes further. Last year, she organised a charity harness drive along the Gippsland plains rail trail over the Australia Day weekend and raised more than $5,000 towards the work of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Leanne firmly believes that mentors play an important role for Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses who are in the early stages of their careers.
"Educate yourself and find a mentor that can help you develop your role," she says.
Did you know?
Leanne, who is a grandmother of 3, competes with her harness ponies in dressage and showing. This appears to be a family skill as her granddaughter is following her steps and has started driving ponies as well.
During her leisure time, Leanne also enjoys pleasure drives around her home town Toongabbie and in the bushland in Gippsland.
