CancerNursing.org offers a free online course on prostate cancer which was developed in partnership with, and supported by an educational grant from, Prostate Cancer UK.

This revised (updated Sept 2011) course has been designed for professionals with an interest in prostate cancer management and care. You can undertake all of the course, or select modules relevant to your area of practice.

The aim of the 'Cancer of the Prostate' course is to provide nurses and allied health professionals with an evidence based resource, learning about the trajectory of the disease and to highlight the care, support and information requirements of men affected by prostate cancer and those who care for them.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, learners should be able to:

• Describe the anatomy and function of the prostate
• Describe the aetiology and epidemiology of prostate cancer
• Describe and discuss the different tests used to assess the risk of prostate cancer, determine a diagnosis and stage the spread of the disease
• Discuss the available treatment options for men with prostate cancer
• Discuss the palliative care needs of men with advanced prostate cancer and the importance of adopting a holistic approach to care
• Discuss the impact of the disease and its treatment on the men and their families and the implications for professional practice
• Discuss the controversy surrounding the prostate cancer screening debate
• Discuss the future for prostate cancer, identifying key areas of research and practice development currently being undertaken.