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Celebration of
Brachytherapy Handover
The
following Article is reproduced with the kind permission of The
Bath Chronicle
for which BCUSG are very grateful.
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13 November 2004
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RUH
OFFERS REVOLUTIONARY NEW CANCER TREATMENT
Samantha Walker-Sowden
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A Revolutionary new
treatment for prostate cancer has been unveiled
at the Royal United Hospital. The number of men
diagnosed with prostate cancer in Bath has risen
from 138 in 1999 to 313 in 2003, the latest year
figures are available for.
But now there are hopes that a new treatment
will benefit some sufferers.
The RUH has become the only hospital in the
south west to offer brachytherapy, a treatment
that can help some men in the early stages of
the disease.
Just 15 hospitals in th UK offer the treatment.
It involves planting radioactive seeds directly
into the prostate gland, and means that some men
won't have to undergo radical surgery and can
even be treated as day patients.
Oncology consultant Hugh Newman said:
"There is already a great deal of expertise
in all aspects of prostate cancer at the RUH.
"The ability to offer bracytherapy, in
addition to surgery and conformal radiotherapy,
enables patients to be offered a comprehensive
state-of-the- art service, tailored to their
individual needs."
It has taken three years to get the treatment at
the RUH with determined fund-raisers paying for
the specialist equipment.
The Bath Cancer Support Group (BCUSG) and the
Mark Master Masons raised £142,000 to allow the
RUH to treat 30 patients and pay for
brachytherapy equipment, used to take a detailed
picture of the prostate.
About ten men a year will be suitable for the
treatment.
"Brachytherapy is a treatment that is now
well established in the USA," said Chris
Gallegos, the RUH's lead in urology.
"There is more than ten years of follow-up
data, which shows it is suitable for certain
types of cancer and certain types of patient.
"Brachytherapy is not a panacea, but so
far, results are equivalent with radical
surgery.
"If you can save someone a major operation,
and give them a treatment that is as good, it is
a huge benefit."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer
diagnosed in men in the UK, with 27,000 new
cases every year.
Doctors say that the increase in figures can be
attributed to a longer lifespan and more men
taking advantage of testing.
The service will also be available to private
patients and referrals from outside the area.
news@bathchron.co.uk |
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