I spent this morning at the newly opened Nottingham Prostate Clinic along with an ITV news crew who interviewed the consultants and recorded a piece for tonight’s Central News bulletin (pic above is from my phone). I actually went well above and beyond my usual PR duties by offering to play the part of a patient. Yes, tonight my belly makes its TV debut. Fame at last.
The clinic allows men in the East Midlands to have the health of their prostate checked by a specialist without the need for a GP appointment. Our press release follows…
Ground Breaking New Cancer Clinic For Nottingham’s Men
A new city centre walk-in cancer clinic in Nottingham is set to save the lives of hundreds of men.
The Nottingham Prostate Clinic is the first in the East Midlands with a focus solely on prostate cancer.
The clinic, part of BMI Healthcare’s Castle Consulting Centre on Long Row, will open its doors for the first time soon (date to be confirmed) and will offer appointments to Nottingham’s male population.
Prostate cancer is the most common of all cancers in UK males. Each year more than 32,000 men are diagnosed with the disease and more than 10,000 die of it – a rate of almost one every hour.
Yet early warning signs can be detected by a simple blood test and now for the first time men in Nottingham will be able to get themselves checked out without the need for a referral from their GP.
Consultant surgeons Owen Cole and Duncan Harriss will hold clinics at the new centre on Tuesday evenings and Thursday lunch times.
Mr Cole said: “Prostate cancer is a big killer in men but if detected early the recovery rates are very high. We hope men will make an appointment to come to the new clinic in their lunch hour and have a check. We also hope women will make appointments for the men in their lives to ensure they’re in good health.”
The prostate is a gland the size of a walnut which produces fluid used in semen. The early symptoms of prostate cancer can be detected by a PSA test - simple blood test which detects the presence of PSA (prostate specific antigen).
If PSA levels are raised it could indicate the presence of cancer and the patient would be referred for further investigations.
The new clinic will cater for private medical patients who will pay £195 for a full assessment – including PSA test and full physical examination from one of the consultant surgeons.
The clinic will focus on diagnostic work but the full range of cancer treatments will be available including key-hole surgery, radio therapy, hormone treatment, and ultrasounds.
Mr Harriss said: “What makes this clinic different is the direct access to a specialist prostate cancer consultant without the need for patients to go through their GP. Anyone can make an appointment to come in and see us and we hope hundreds will.”
Before seeing a consultant the patient will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about their symptoms, general health and lifestyle before being examined by the consultant.
The patient will be given an up-to-date PSA test by the smallest of pin-pricks, and will be given the test results there and then.
If additional tests are needed they can be carried out immediately and then a report of the results will then be sent to both the patient and also their GP.
In addition to prostate problems the new clinic will also address other male health issues such as erectile dysfunction, bladder and testicular problems. Mr Cole said: “Even if you think you are a fit over 50 year old it is still good to get your general health and prostate checked, as you might not know there is anything wrong.”
Despite men over 50 being most at risk prostate cancer can also affect younger men – such as Kevin Handl who was just 44 when he was diagnosed with the disease.
Mr Handl, from Arnold, was diagnosed after a routine blood test following a driving conviction revealed a high PSA level. He has made a full recovery following an operation performed by Mr Harriss.
He said: “People think it can’t happen to them in their forties but it can, I’m the proof. It’s such a simple thing to have it checked out.”
Mr Harriss said: “Prostate cancer can affect younger men so it is wise to have a check before the age of 50 if you have any concerns.
“Any man over the age of 40 should consider their family history, as cancer within the family can be an identifying factor. Even men who have had female relatives with breast cancer are at a higher risk.”
Mr Cole added that the classic syptoms of prostate cancer, such as having to get up several times in the night to urinate, did not necessarily indicate a problem.
He said: “It could also mean they are suffering bladder problems or even an enlarged prostate that isn’t cancerous. At the clinic we can offer treatment for benign prostates.” He added that diet and lifestyle can contribute to prostate problems and prevention of the cancer will be discussed with the consultant during the patient’s appointment. Ethnicity can also be a contributing factor - Afro-Caribbean are more likely to get prostate cancer at a younger age and it may be a more aggressive form.
For more information or to make an appointment please call 0115 9895643. Alternatively email info@nottinghamprostateclinic.co.uk or visit www.nottinghamprostateclinic.co.uk
