"Centre of Excellence"

I had a TURP at Harrogate hospital in august 2018 after which standard procedure is to carry out a cancer check on some of the removed prostate shavings. Since I had a very low PSA reading I was surprised to be diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. I had my situation explained to me very carefully by my oncologist and received effective support from the Harrogate based Macmillan nurses. Treatment with hormone therapy started soon after and that was expected to stop further growth of the cancer and prepare me for radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is expected to kill off cancer cells and appears to be remarkably successful with early stage prostate cancer.

Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital has a number (12, I believe) of radiotherapy machines and a large number (probably 120) of radiologists. My first appointment was to familiarise me with Bexley Wing and to emphasise the importance of self applied enemas before each radio session; I was given reassurance and information about treatment and after effects.

My treatment started on New Year's Eve and lasted for 20 sessions. The first ten sessions passed without any noticeable effect. Side effects started after treatment 11 and included difficulty controlling bowel and bladder motions with potentially embarrassing consequences. I also had some problems with light bleeding and skin soreness. The radiology staff and urology nurse helped me cope with those problems.

Throughout my treatment, from the TURP operation at Harrogate to the conclusion of radio therapy at Leeds I have received professional and sympathetic attention from all grades of staff. I have been impressed by the resources and by how well they are used. Thank you all.