Hunter Prostate Cancer Centre   .jpg "HPCA Centre Back")
To further its aims, the Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance decided (in 2007) to establish a centre which would support research into prostate cancer and would also provide free public access to prostate cancer information and support. This centre is the Hunter Prostate Cancer Centre (HPCC). The HPCC was launched on 30 November 2007 by Cr. John Tate, Lord Mayor of Newcastle. The Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance is focused on attracting government, corporate and community support to fund this project and the programs it will offer. The HPCC will comprise 2 facilities - the research facility and the public facility.
Research Facility The research facility houses the Prostate Cancer Trials Group (PCTG). The PCTG is running two large scale research trials on prostate cancer funded through two NHMRC grants and administered by the University of Newcastle. Professor Jim Denham is the Chief Principal Investigator for both trials. The trials have recruited 818 and 1071 men respectively between 1996 and 2007 from 25 cancer treatment centres across Australia and New Zealand, including the Hunter and Hastings Valley. 96.01 trial - in the 1990's approximately 1/3 of men with locally advanced prostate cancer would experience relapse of their cancers within 5 years of treatment by radiation alone. By 2005 the 96.01 trial had shown that 6 months of hormone treatment given before and during radiation had cut cancerous relapses by 60% and deaths by 40%. Further results are to be published in 2008 and 2010. As a result of this research 6 months of hormones and radiation are now the standard care in Australia and New Zealand and many cancer treatment centres in Europe and the United States. RADAR trial - this trial commenced in 2004 with the goal of finding out whether an additional year of hormone therapy would improve on the outcomes achieved by 6 months of hormones and radiation. Result are expected in 2012.
Public Facility The public facility is run by the Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance. The HPCA offers a free walk-in resource centre where written material and advice from trained Counsellors and volunteers (VIP's) will be available to prostate cancer sufferers and their relatives and carers. Fully trained Counsellors and the Volunteer Information Providers (VIPs) group they co-ordinate will assist with the information needs of 4 groups of men (and their close family members): Men at high risk of developing prostate cancer but not currently diagnosed. These men may need help with devising a suitable testing program and information on maintaining their health. Men with new diagnosis of prostate cancer. These men need to make treatment choices which are best for them, taking in to consideration risks and benefits. Men on 'active surveillance' may need extra support for anxiety. Men experiencing treatment side effects. Some men are considerably disabled by treatment side effects of treatment. The side effects being experienced and the behavioural patterns they can induce may also have profound effect on close family members too. Men with advanced prostate cancer. Many men with advanced prostate cancer (and their families) have little idea what treatment options and support services are available to them.
The HPCA will also provide a liaison service, a Help-line (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) and some care treatments and palliative treatments not provided within the public hospital system. Staff will liaise with established health services in the Hunter including, but not limited to: prostate cancer support groups, palliative care, psycho-oncology, social work and dietetics.
The Building & History The Waratah Post Office was designed in the office of Colonial Architect, under James Barnet. Building commenced in 1880. It was recorded in the NMH 17 March 1881, as being built of brick, on massive stone foundations, and roofed in galvanised iron roof in the VictorianItalianate style. The original building comprised an office area and a residence for the postmaster William Harris, and his family.  Extensions were carried out in the early 1900's with the addition of a telephone exchange and extensions to increase the accommodation in the residence. The building continued in use as a post office until 1996 when postal services were relocated. The Smith Family purchased the building for use as its regional headquarters.  The former Waratah post office is listed on the NSW heritage Database as being of heritage significance. The PSA will restore the building to its former glory as a part of the development program.
Location Newcastle Prostate Cancer Centre is centrally located in the heart of Newcastle at The Old waratah Post Office 22 Turton Road, Waratah, NSW 2298 
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