Galway leads the way in high-tech treatment for prostate cancer

BY SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN ADDITIONAL staff are needed to meet the growing demand for Galway's rapid-access prostate clinic. The county has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the country, and the clinic at UHG also has the biggest catchment area.[private] Nearly 1,000 new patients were seen at the clinic in UHG last year and there were a further 855 return visits by patients who were previously seen. Visiting the hospital this week, Dr Susan O'Reilly, National Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) said more men continued to attend the Galway clinic and that it was a bit short-staffed. Consultant radiation oncologist at UHG Professor Frank Sullivan accepted that more manpower is needed at the Galway facility, but stressed that it is working very well. The Galway rapid-access clinic is one of a number around the country that aim to improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer and increase patients' chances of survival. Galway is leading the way in the provision of a full range of cancer treatments for patients with prostate cancer and in carrying out vital research into the disease. 'Our rapid-access prostate clinic has been hugely successful since its opening in 2009, and in 2010 the Prostate Cancer Clinic at NUI Galway was established to develop new therapies and better treatments. We are well placed to deliver the latest treatment in a region that has the highest incidence of the disease nationally,' said Professor Sullivan. A high-tech, low-invasive treatment fostered in Galway about five years ago has now been rolled-out throughout the country. Brachytherapy treats early stage, low-risk prostate cancer by strategically placing radioactive seeds inside the prostate gland where they remain to irradiate the malignant tissue in the prostate. 'The seeds stay in permanently but only give off radiation for about a year and mostly within the first four months,' explained Professor Sullivan, who learned the technique in America and began offering the treatment in Galway in 2007. Over the past five years, 440 patients in Galway availed of brachytherapy for prostate cancer and 100 of these were treated last year. The NCCP was so impressed by the work being done in Galway by Professor Sullivan that it supported the expansion of the treatment nationally and it plans to have six doctors performing the technique in hospitals in Galway, Dublin and Cork. Among the benefits for patients is that the treatment can be carried out in one day and doesn't require an overnight stay in hospital. Radiotherapy can mean a patient attending the hospital five days a week for up to eight weeks, for a ten-minute session of radiotherapy each day. 'Patients who are suitable for prostate brachytherapy benefit from high-dose, highly targeted radiation, shorter treatment times and studies are showing disease control rates equivalent to the other curative options, as well as improved quality of life for patients,' explained Professor Sullivan. The radioactive seeds cost about €2,000 per patient and while it is an expensive treatment, there is less demand for hospital beds and theatres. CEO of the Galway-Roscommon Hospital Group Bill Maher told The Herald that he was thrilled that Professor Sullivan had taken the national lead on a technique that is a revolutionary way of treating prostate cancer patients. Dr Susan O'Reilly said she was delighted by the leadership shown by UHG and Professor Sullivan. Galway now offers men the best medical opinions and a full range of treatment options for prostate cancer. 'Professor Sullivan and Galway University Hospital have led the way in the development and delivery of prostate brachytherapy for the curative treatment of this cancer. I am delighted that we now have these services available in Dublin and Cork so that men have options wherever they live. Professor Sullivan and his team have provided the national leadership and training to implement these national services and they are to be congratulated and thanked for their significant innovation and contribution,' she said. Peter is one happy patient ONE man who was particularly happy to be at the launch of the national brachytherapy programme is Peter Keane from Ballina. He availed of the treatment in UHG in November 2010 and says he has never looked back. Like many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, Peter didn't complain of any symptoms. A routine blood test showed that his PSA level was slightly raised and his doctor referred him to a consultant at UHG. 'After some initial tests I was told that they had some bad news. They had discovered a cluster of very early stage cancer cells in my prostate. 'We were talking about weeks of radiotherapy but then they mentioned a new therapy and that I might be suitable. I was lucky to be chosen and I had the procedure in November 2010 and haven't had any problems since.' Peter underwent the procedure, stayed that night close to the hospital and drove home the following day. 'I didn't lose my hair, I wasn't sick and life went on as normal. I had 72 radioactive seeds implanted. I've been checked regularly and luckily the cancer didn't spread.' Peter urges all men to attend their GP for regular check-ups and feels lucky that his cancer was caught at the very early stages. 'I'd advise all men to go for a regular check-up. I didn't have any symptoms and would never have found out until perhaps it was a lot more serious.'[/private]