New prostate biopsy service starts at Cromer

A new procedure has begun at Cromer and District Hospital to help speed up tests for patients with suspected prostate cancer.

State-of-the-art equipment is being used at the North Norfolk Macmillan Centre to enable prostate biopsies to take place for the first time at Cromer.

The start of the new service follows fundraising support from Cromer Community and Hospital Friends who have helped to buy new equipment for the centre.

A prostate biopsy usually takes place to confirm or rule out cancer after a patient has had high or rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test results and an MRI scan.

Mr Utsav Reddy, Consultant Urological Surgeon, said the urology team would be carrying out MRI fusion guided prostate biopsies at the North Norfolk Macmillan Centre once a week.

“The technology is slightly different to that at NNUH and will be a new service for the patients of Cromer and the wider area. This ultrasound machine enables us to undertake biopsies under local anaesthetic and we can overlay the MRI image on the real time ultrasound scan to give a more precise biopsy for some men.  This would not have been feasible without the support of the Cromer Community and Hospital Friends as well as colleagues in Urology, Radiology, Pathology and Cromer Hospital.  Thank you to all involved in improving the care of men in Norfolk.”

“The aim of the service is to take men through the whole diagnostic pathway in a matter of weeks or sooner, from GP referral to MRI scan and biopsy, which can all take place at Cromer.”

The North Norfolk Macmillan Centre, which opened in September last year, provides chemotherapy treatment, space for outpatient appointments and minor surgery, plus a Macmillan information and support centre, helping people to navigate the practical, emotional and financial challenges that can arise following a cancer diagnosis.

The £4.85million cancer centre was funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity and received £665,000 to fund equipment, thanks to the Cromer Community and Hospital Friends.

It is not always the case that prostate cancer is associated with bothersome urinary symptoms. If you wish to obtain further information about the PSA blood test, visit www.prostatecanceruk.org or speak to your GP.