Cancer support in focus

Community forum headlined by six local experts

Dealing with cancer – as a patient or the family or friend of a patient – is a tough time and a time when the right support can make all the difference.

It is why the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group has put together a Cancer Information Forum on Wednesday, May 3, to get a panel of experts and service providers in one room so the community can gather as much information as possible.

Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group’s Lorraine Musgrave said the group had contemplating putting together this type of event and was looking forward to see how it meets the needs of the community.

“We have clients who say we didn’t know a support group existed, we don’t know where the PATS office is, we don’t know where to go to get the information we need, where do we go, who do we contact?” she said. “So we have been able to get together around half a dozen locally based experts to speak at the forum and a variety of cancer service providers have provided information that will be on display, including leaflets and brochures.”

Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Tracy Bryant (pictured); McGrath Breast Care Nurse Dana Mulraney; Oncology Nurse Practitioner Julie Campbell and In Home Hospice Care’s Sandi Elliott will be joined by Dr Mike Bruorton tackling the topic of skin cancer and Travis Fatchen, who can cover the intricacies of PATS.

The event will be emceed by Kevin Douglas and runs from 2pm to 6pm at the Mount Gambier RSL & District Bowling Club.

“We just want to give people then opportunity to get their questions answered and we are lucky we have been able to get such good quality speakers in the room at the same time.”

Refreshments will be available and it is a gold coin donation for entry.

PROGRAM
2pm – Opening Speaker – Travis Fatchen
2.30pm – Dana Mulraney – McGrath Breast Care Nurse
3pm – Tracy Bryant – Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse
3.30pm – Sandi Elliott – IN Home Hospice Car
4pm – TBA
4.30pm – Julie Campbell – Oncology Nurse Practitioner
5pm – Dr Mike Bruorton – Skin Cancer