On Focus

Marc Laniado, Consultant Urologist at with The Focal Therapy Clinic and a leading innovator in imaging led diagnostics and targeted treatments for prostate cancer, joins OnFocus to discuss the concept of precision in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, why it’s important and how it’s achieved.

Marc has been a dedicated pracititoner and vocal advocate for the precision diagnostics that support focal therapy from his base at Frimley Health, where he is prostate cancer lead at Wexham Park Hospital and has contributed to several pivotal clinical studies and trials on prostate imaging , diagnostics and focal therapy.

Michael Anthony is a recent HIFU patient at the Focal Therapy Clinic, who had just turned 50 late last year when he was diagnosed with localised prostate cancer, quickly followed by a bout with Covid. As he says "I got cancer for my birthday and Covid for Christmas" – and his ultimate treatment was a direct outcome of these memorable “gifts” . He joins OnFocus to tell his story about managing a prostate cancer diagnosis in the Covid era and to share his learnings from this experience with our listeners.

Joining me today is Elvin Box, a popular and passionate advocate for men with prostate cancer. Diagnosed in 2016, Elvin is a Movember UK ambassador and has written and campaigned extensively on a number of issues impacting men and their families as they experience a diagnosis of prostate cancer and navigate treatment options. He’s here today to discuss the Movember campaign which begins next week and his mission to eradicate the taboos faced by men with prostate cancer.

Movember UK  https://uk.movember.com

Robin Pritchard, founder of Cancer Care Map, joins On Focus to discuss how the online map he provides works and how it is impacting the communities it serves. Cancer Care Map was designed to help people living with cancer find care and support services in their local area, anywhere in the UK. These services are wide-ranging and include counselling & support, exercise & fitness and financial advice amongst many others. Its aim is to make sure that no one goes unsupported because they are not aware of a service in their local area.

https://www.cancercaremap.org/

Charlie LeBosquet, clinical application specialist for Prostate Care Limited, joins the podcast to discuss his views from the frontline of prostate cancer diagnostics and treatment. Charlie has been a critical link in the theatres where men are biopsied and treated for prostate cancer for nearly two decades,  supporting clinicians and operational staff alike, and he has a unique and valuable perspective on the advance and adoption of technology in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Raj Nigam, Consultant Urologist at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and the Focal Therapy Clinic is an andrologist with a special interest in the impact of prostate cancer treatment on sexual and mental health, and has spoken several times before on the podcast about age-related implications of prostate cancer treatment. He’s here today to discuss how advances in ageing research could potentially aid in recovery from prostate cancer and its treatment. Or, another words, if the biggest risk factor in developing prostate cancer is ageing, what can we do to mitigate that risk?

In our conversation  today, he’ll comment on some of his experiences with prostate cancer by drawing on passages in his books “Nothing’s so bad that it couldn’t be worse” and “Taking the piss out of cancer" . You’re in for a treat.Today’s guest is Raymond Poole from Co Wicklow in Ireland, who is both campaigner and advocate for better treatment and more honest discussion about the impact of prostate cancer on mens’ lives. Following his prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, he has used both poetry and prose to express his emotions, communicate his experience with honesty and humour, and inspire others to develop their voice and make better choices about their prostate cancer support and treatment.  He’s Irish, so that may not come as a surprise.

Follow Ray on Twitter: @Aladinsane40

Taking the Piss out of Cancer:

Nothing’s so Bad that it Couldn’t be Worse

Joining me today is Dr Stephen Allan, a retired consultant anaesthetist and former prostate cancer patient. Stephen has a unique perspective on how men are diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, and shares his wisdom and experience regularly through Tackle Prostate Cancer as a patient representative, and as an advisor to NICE and the National Prostate Cancer Audit.

Joining OnFocus in this episode is Nigel Harris, a medical sales professional from Winchester who recently underwent HIFU treatment with Tim Dudderidge. He leads a very active sporting life, particularly on the ice where he both plays and coaches ice hockey – and following his prostate cancer diagnosis was intent on finding a treatment that wouldn’t compromise his lifestyle. As he describes as his personal motto, “ here’s still much to do and see”. He's joined me to discuss his experience.

Joining On Focus in this episode to discuss prostate cancer screening, NHS data sharing and maintaining wellness is GP and Men’s Health specialist Dr Jeff Foster. Dr Jeff is the author of Man Alive in which he examines the most commonly misunderstood aspects of men’s health. His expertise on testosterone deficiency, erectile dysfunction, prostate health, cardiovascular disease and nutrition & wellness has been shared widely through media and applied in his clinical practice.