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Project Prostate

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BBC Radio Wales - Project Prostate

The story of the Welsh surgeon battling to revolutionise treatment for prostate cancer.

Charles Williams presents the story of the Welsh surgeon who is battling to revolutionise treatment for the most common cancer in Welsh men.

Charles Williams presents he story of the Welsh surgeon who is battling to revolutionise treatment for the most common cancer in Welsh men.

Andy Thomas is one of the world’s leading prostate surgeons. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Welsh men. Around 2,500 men are diagnosed each year and 550 die from the disease. 

In the past, Wales has lagged behind England in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. That’s why Andy founded the charity Prostate Cymru. He set up a centre of excellence at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and raised the money to introduce revolutionary new laser surgery. He’s since treated more than 1,000 patients using the laser.

In 2012 he set about campaigning for robotic surgery to be available in Wales. At that time, there were 42 robots in England, and none in Wales). In 2014 the first robot went into action in a Cardiff hospital.

Charles meets Andy and asks him what men can do to look after the health of their prostate. He talks to Tim Driscoll, a former rugby player and cartoonist, who has Stage 4 prostate cancer and is currently taking part in a trial treatment. And he interviews gardening broadcaster Terry Walton who has been cured of the disease. Charles also undergoes a PSA test and prostate examination to check the health of his own prostate.

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