A breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer is being rolled out to NHS clinics across the country.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) uses high-frequency sound waves to destroy tumours, with much milder side-effects than traditional therapies for more advanced cancers.
Patients can be treated in one day and return to normal activities within two weeks, but enjoy similar success rates to more invasive procedures.
Previously, HIFU has only been available in the UK at specialist centres in London and surrounding areas – but cancer charity, Prost8, has worked to roll it out nationwide.
It comes as the charity claims men with lower grade cancers are often over-treated for prostate cancer, and are not routinely offered this less invasive procedure.
Now, the first unit outside of the capital is opening at Royal United Hospitals Bath, in what is hailed as a milestone for prostate cancer in Britain.
Prost8 is working on opening further treatment centres at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and Victoria Hospital in Fife, Scotland.
The RUH Bath deployment is co-funded by Prost8 and the UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation, and underscores a collective commitment to advancing prostate cancer care, and redefining the treatment landscape across the UK.
Philip Keevil, chairman of the UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation (UKFUSF), said: “HIFU is just one form of focused ultrasound – a non-invasive, therapeutic medical technology, that is transforming the treatment of a number of medical disorders, including many cancers and diseases of the brain.
“The sole raison d’être of UKFUSF is to provide patients in the UK with this life-changing treatment option, with minimal side effects, in the shortest time possible.”
Cancer charity Prost8 UK founder, and HIFU prostate cancer patient, Paul Sayer, emphasised the urgency of expanding access to these lifestyle-saving, minimally-invasive treatment options.
He said: “At last, men in the South West of England, and then in other parts of the UK, with a lower grade, treatable prostate cancer diagnosis, will be saved from receiving the same essential but aggressive treatments as those given to men with advanced cancer.
“I am driven to help as I myself am now five years clear, and my functionality is unchanged from before the procedure.”
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The programme in Bath will be led by Lucy Simmons, a consultant urological surgeon with extensive expertise in Prostate Cancer Diagnostics and Active Surveillance.
Training and support for the new deployment has been provided by eminent urologist, Professor Hashim Ahmed, of Imperial College London – a pioneer in bringing focal treatment for prostate cancer to the UK, and who also treated Paul Sayer.
Lucy Simmons said: “The addition of HIFU therapy to our treatment options in Bath is a valuable complement to our robotic program, and other available treatments for prostate cancer. This makes RUH a true centre of excellence for prostate cancer treatment at all levels.
“Men who are eligible in the local area and south-west region will now have improved accessibility to HIFU, a treatment that minimises some of the adverse side effects associated with some other prostate cancer treatments.”
In addition to prostate cancer, HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) technology has more than 30 regulatory approvals worldwide, and is in various stages of research and development for more than 170 diseases and conditions.
Around 52,000 men are affected by prostate cancer each year in the UK – and about 12,000 of those could enjoy better outcomes in terms of urinary, bowel, and sexual function, if treated with HIFU.
Andrew Sanders, a retired commercial banker from Devon, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 56, and opted to become one of the first patients at Bath RUH to benefit from HIFU treatment.
Facing a challenging diagnosis, Andrew confronted the overwhelming prospect of invasive treatment procedures.
He said: “While employed, I had annual health checks, including prostate exams and PSA tests. My PSA had been slightly raised for a year or so, but an MRI showed nothing.
“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, and it pushed me to get checked again after a three-year gap. After two slightly high PSA tests results, an MRI then showed some abnormalities, and I was quickly booked in for a biopsy.
“At that meeting I was told I had prostate cancer and a Gleason score of seven, and was given information covering a radical prostatectomy, robotic prostatectomy, brachytherapy, and external beam radiotherapy.
“I raised HIFU as an alternative option, and was fortunate that the NHS referred me to University College Hospital in London, which was one of only two NHS hospitals to offer this treatment.
“A few days later I was contacted by Paul Sayer from Prost8, who was very supportive and shared some useful information on the HIFU procedure.
“Living in the south-west, a pre-op and procedure in London would mean logistical issues and a long trip home post-op – so I was delighted to hear from Paul again to tell me that the procedure would now be supported by Prost8 and delivered at the RUH Bath, the charity’s newly adopted centre of excellence covering the South West.”
After the treatment, Andrew said: “I can't quite believe that I don't feel any pain or discomfort. Although it’s a general anaesthetic you are a day patient, so it’s great to know you can get home the same day.
“I feel extremely lucky to have been able to undertake my procedure in Bath under their expert team.”
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