Benjamin Lamb
Consultant Urologist, Barts Health NHS Trust, on behalf of the British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Oncology
Robotic surgery is helping to cure thousands of men with prostate cancer across the UK every year, allowing them to return to normal life faster than ever before.
Over 92% of men undergoing curative surgery for prostate cancer in 2021 benefitted from robotic surgery, one of the highest rates in the world – with almost 7,000 robotic prostatectomy operations carried out last year in England and Wales.
Improved recovery
The robot is operated by specially trained surgeons and removes the prostate cancer from deep within the patient through several small abdominal incisions. Not only is this a quicker operation, but there is also reduced blood loss, fewer complications and less pain, meaning that patients recover quickly from their surgery.
Before the introduction of robotic surgery, an open operation was typically performed, requiring a hospital stay of up to five days.
Among men in the UK, prostate cancer is the commonest cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death.
Specialist cancer centres
The robotic systems that make a rapid recovery possible can cost up to £4 million, but the treatment is provided free on the National Health Service. The widespread adoption of robotic surgery across the UK is thanks to the organisation of the NHS. By bringing specialist cancer surgeons and patients together in high numbers at specialist cancer centres, the technology becomes cost-effective.
Robotic surgery for prostate cancer has been a part of the NHS Covid-19 recovery. With patients able to go home the next day, bed spaces are freed up, so more patients can be treated, which helps to reduce waiting lists and cancelled operations.
Testing for prostate cancer
Among men in the UK, prostate cancer is the commonest cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death. Contrary to popular belief, most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms of the disease. Men more at risk of prostate cancer are Black men and those who have a history of prostate cancer in their immediate family. Other risk factors include obesity and those carrying rare genetic mutations, known as BRCA genes.
Although in the UK there is no policy to screen men for prostate cancer, men who are concerned about their risk should talk to their GPs about having a blood test – the PSA test- which helps to diagnose prostate cancer at an earlier stage, when it is more effectively treated.
Lifesaving research
By increasing awareness about prostate cancer among men across the UK, improving access to diagnostic tests, and offering the most advanced treatments, we can save lives, improve recovery after prostate cancer treatment and reassure men who don’t have the disease.
