Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men

1 in 8 men will get it at some point in their life

 

The Luton and Dunstable Hospital (L&D) Urology Department cares for thousands of patients every year and just over 1000 of these are men with prostate cancer. 

 

Sadly every hour in the UK, a man dies from prostate cancer even though caught early, there are many treatments available and often the cancer is slow growing so many men may never experience any ill effects or symptoms. 

 

There have been various advances in technology over the past few years and the L&D has always prioritised minimally invasive surgery for cancer tests and treatment.  This is owing to the overall benefit it brings to patients.

 

As with all cancers, early detection is the key to giving the patient the best possible course of care and treatment. 

 

There is a new piece of biopsy equipment that has been developed specifically for prostate cancer which increases the team’s chances of detecting any cancerous cells even at a very early stage or just a very small cluster of cells.  It also provides a better and safer method of carrying out the biopsy.

 

Owing to how the tests have to be carried out, there is currently a 2% infection rate which is extremely high.  The new ultrasound machine will dramatically reduce infection rates and virtually irradiate all severe infections.

 

The Hospital has invested over £130,000 to buy new equipment for treating men with prostate cancer.  However the team has identified this biopsy machine as a potential lifesaver in its own right as it will enable them to test possible cancer patients earlier and significantly increase the chances of an early diagnosis.  This in turn means we will be able to treat more patients each year and reduce the number of men that become seriously ill because they didn’t know they had cancer.

 

If you would like to find out more about the project or fundraising for other areas within the Hospital please feel free to contact Newby on 01582 718 043 or email sarah.newby@ldh.nhs.uk

 

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