9 March 2015
Breakthrough In Prostate Cancer. So Why Are One Of The Treatments Only Available Abroad?
March marks the start of Prostate Cancer Month and we at Incontinence UK are huge supporters of this and want to congratulate a grandfather who recently has overcome this condition.
Joe Tuftnell, a 70 year old retired grandfather from Andover, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last April through a routine blood test from his GP. He was not at all convinced when his doctors told him that the best course for treatment for the early stage cancer was to do nothing. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and Joe was told by his hospital consultant that the cancer could be managed with 'active surveillance'.
While this might sound like doing nothing, in fact it involves closely monitoring the tumour - usually with PSA tests and digital rectal examinations every three to six months, and repeat prostate biopsies every few years. If tests show the cancer is growing, doctors may give treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Next to the prostate are nerves and blood vessels that are essential for proper erectile and bladder function. Radiation can damage these nerves and half of prostate cancer sufferers can be left impotent after radiotherapy.
Instead, Joe went to Prague to have the tumour removed by a cutting edge technology called Proton Beam Therapy which is not available on the NHS. He paid £16,000 for his surgery and was told it could have cost up to £29,000 if the cancer was at the advanced stage. The surgery is less destructive to the surrounding tissue and so will have less side effects.
The procedure took a minute and a half and he felt no pain or discomfort. He then left the hospital within an hour of arriving. The procedure was repeated four times, every second day. His NHS consultant was concerned but now his PSA levels have dropped and he is back living a normal life.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is organised by Prostate Cancer UK with the aim to raise awareness of prostate cancer as well as raise money so the charity can provide even better support to both sufferers and their families. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and is thought that around 36,000 men are diagnosed in the UK with this disease each year. They estimate that about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. For more information on Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and how to get involved do visit http://prostatecanceruk.org/
Here at Incontinence UK we recognise the problem that prostate cancer can bring to men of all ages. We provide a range of male specific incontinence products including: TENA Men insert pads, Kylie Male Washable Incontinence Pants, MoliMed for Men, Lille Supreme for Men Extra and Age UK Men’s discreet incontinence pads that minimise the disruption to your life that this condition can cause.
Incontinence UK can provide you with the right information and support as well as the widest range of incontinence products available for both men and women to address your specific needs to enable effective management of all incontinence problems.
Best wishes
Incontinence UK
www.incontinenceuk.co.uk
