Charity’s latest donation supports cancer patients at K&C
A prostate cancer support charity has raised almost £50,000 to fund a new machine to help improve detection of the disease.
The PCSA (Prostate Cancer Support Association) Kent donated the money to East Kent Hospitals Charity for the machine at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, where it will be used to carry out biopsies on men with suspected prostate cancer.
This donation means the hospital now has two trans-perineal biopsy machines, so one can be permanently based in theatres, with the other available for outpatient procedures.
PCSA founder and president Graham Edwards said: “We are delighted to be able to fund this machine for the urology department of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for the benefit of patients.
“The machine allows for biopsies to be carried out by passing a needle through the perineum (the skin under the scrotum), rather than via the rectum, which most men say is more comfortable.
“Studies have shown that it is potentially more accurate and it is wonderful that more patients will be able to benefit thanks to this second machine.”
Around 10 patients can have the test during an outpatient clinic, but previously this would have been reduced if the machine was needed in theatre.
Now clinics can continue to run while more tests can be carried out in theatre if necessary.
PCSA chairman Malcolm Ramsey said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us to be able to fund this machine and pleased we can be of service to the hospital teams who have helped us in the past.
“We have now raised more than £500,000 to support prostate cancer patients across Kent, and we try to provide anything the medical teams ask for.
“Raising awareness is another key part of our work and we are always happy to talk to groups about prostate cancer and the symptoms to watch out for.”
Consultant urological surgeon Professor Sashi Kommu said: “In the UK, around one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
“More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. PCSA Kent have supported the urology unit immensely over the years, allowing us to help more patients.”
Lead Macmillan cancer nurse specialist David Stafford said: “We are very grateful to PCSA Kent for their support, which will help avoid delays for our patients and help ensure suspected prostate cancer can be confirmed or ruled out as soon as possible.”
The charity was supported with donations from business in Thanet, led by Gary Lambert of Complete Roofing Contractors and Ian Griffiths of P&G Scaffolding, who raised £20,000 over two years; Malling Golf Club, who donated £17,000; Graham Styles and customers of The Kings Head in Deal, who raised £12,000 over five years; The Berry and Bloody Mary’s in Deal, who contributed more than £1000; The Rotary Club of Whitstable and Chestfield Golf Club, who donated £8,000; and Faversham Darts League, who donated £6,000 over five years.
Local Masonic Lodges also made donations, and volunteers from the charity held collections at supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s.
PCSA Kent runs monthly support groups for anyone affected by prostate cancer and also operates a helpline – for more information visit https://pcsakent.org/