People & Lifestyle report, June 2006
| LONDON ABC MASTERCLASS
ON PROSTATE DISEASES
Prostate Research Campaign’s second free seminar for health care professionals voted an outstanding success. By: Andrea Kon |
 |
More than 140 doctors, practice managers, nurses and health care professionals from all over London and the Home Counties were treated to Prostate Research Campaign UK’s second free master class on The ABC of Prostate Diseases at the Royal Society of Medicine on June 2nd, sponsored by Prostate Research Campaign UK in association with the HSA Charitable Trust. The first free seminar was held in Manchester earlier this year.
Chaired by the charity’s Chief Executive, Brigadier John Anderson, participants were addressed by experts in the field, including the charity’s Chairman of Trustees, Professor Roger Kirby, Clinical Oncologist Dr Heather Payne, Urology Nurse Specialist Kate Holmes and psychiatrist Dr Brian Wells, on all aspects of possible causes, diagnosis and treatment options for the three main prostate diseases, including prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. They were offered insight into the benefits of PSA testing and information about the latest research and newest treatment options by Mr Mark Feneley, a Senior Lecturer in Urological Oncology at the Institute of Urology at the University of London.
Perhaps the most moving personal account of the day came from patient and charity trustee, Richard Killick, first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. He spoke with disarming frankness of the effect the disease has had on his personal life and that of his family, the side-effects of drugs treatments, and with calm confidence, of his determination to overcome any recurrence of the problem.
Later, practice nurse Jane Risley, from the Brocklebank Health Centre in Tooting said: “I found the whole experience extremely helpful. As a result of today’s conference, I have a far greater understanding of prostate disease and its implications. As far as our Practice is concerned, today’s experience will change the way I manage patients as I now understand prostate diseases much better. I will ensure new protocols are put in place to ensure that all men over the age of 45 are asked about their family prostate history and made aware of the importance of watching out for symptoms of prostate disease.”
Practice nurse Wendy Prescott, who works at the Brunswick Park Medical Practice in Ossidge Lane, Southgate and as a urological nurse at Barnet Hospital in north London added: “This master class has been extremely useful and has widened my experience on prostate disease considerably.”
A further seven free ABC Master Classes on Prostate Disease for Healthcare Professionals are planned countrywide over the next two years: the London seminar will be followed this year by another in Birmingham, and in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff in 2007. Provisional plans for another three in 2008 are under now discussion.
Afternote: Attendees evaluated the seminar and the results exceeded our highest expectations: 98% said that they would attend another such seminar and 94% rated the overall seminar experience “Excellent”. We received one unprecedented comment: 100% said that they would recommend the seminar to their colleagues.