Patients undergoing tests for prostate cancer are now benefiting from an innovative new procedure, which we are providing at Grimsby hospital.
We have bought a £76,000 fusion biopsy machine from our charitable funds, which is helping our Urology team provide the new diagnostic test.
The machine uses a special ultrasound probe, which displays an image of the prostate on a screen. This allows the biopsy taken to be even more accurate, resulting in a more precise diagnosis for the patient.
The procedure, which is usually carried out under a local anaesthetic, is known as a transperineal biopsy. Thanks to its accuracy, it reduces the risk of infection and the need for patients to have antibiotics afterwards.
Consultant Urologist, Mr Mathew Thomas said: “Our team is very excited about this new piece of equipment which has kindly been bought for us by the hospital’s charity, The Health Tree Foundation.
“As well as allowing us to collect cells more accurately, the procedure also enables us to map the location and extent of any cancer which may be present. It also improves our ability to detect small cancers.”
Charity Manager, Lucy Skipworth said: “It is thanks to the generosity of those members of the public who support our charity that we have been able to buy this amazing new piece of kit.
“A big thank you also needs to go to the volunteers at the Sea View Cancer Charity Shop in Cleethorpes, as they also raised money for the machine.”
Our Urology team started to use the new procedure in January, which will benefit in the region of 230 patients per year.
