Keith Massey first became aware of his symptoms while on site visits during his job as a claims investigator with the NHBC. He needed to ask to use a toilet several times a day during his visits to claimants’ homes – something he never previously had to do in his 16 years doing the job.
At 57 years old, he initially thought it was just a part of growing older, but became concerned when he also noticed a change in his urinary flow rate. He eventually went to his GP who immediately referred him to a consultant urologist who requested a series of tests including an ultrasound examination, blood tests and a biopsy which showed there were cancerous cells on one side of his prostate.
Keith was informed that the area could be monitored using further blood tests until it became essential to treat the disease, but a subsequent more thorough biopsy and MRI scans revealed the cancer was present in both sides of the prostate. Keith needed surgery to remove the cancer, and was referred by his urologist to Mr Shiv Bhanot, consultant urological surgeon at the Spire Roding Hospital in Redbridge, for specialist keyhole treatment. Keith felt completely comfortable with Mr Bhanot, who specialises in laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer.
He explains: “Mr Bhanot was very upfront and honest about the pros and cons of all the options open to me. I was told everything in layman’s terms and was given the time to consider all the facts carefully. There were downsides to surgery about which I was told. However, the operation could ultimately save my life and I therefore felt the risks were outweighed by the potential benefits.”
Mr Shiv Bhanot adds: “Keith’s cancer was in its early stages and we felt it was curable by surgery before it had the opportunity to progress. After considering his surgical and non surgical options he chose to have surgery.”
The prostate is deep within the body and very close to sensitive muscles and nerves which, if tampered with, could lead to urinary incontinence or erectile problems. However, by using the intricate and detailed images from the MRI scanning the consultants were confident that the cancer was curable.
Mr Bhanot and a team of doctors and nurses spent nearly three hours performing Keith’s surgery at Spire Roding Hospital using the latest laparoscopic technique. This operation requires very advanced skills on the part of the surgical team. The gentle but precise procedure resulted in him having very little scarring, and being discharged from hospital after just three days after the operation without any drains or catheters. Prior to him going home he had a special x-ray – a cystogram - which confirmed satisfactory healing where the bladder was joined to his urethral pipe using 10 special sutures.
Keith says: “I obviously would rather not have been in this situation but given that I was, I couldn’t have been in better hands. I have nothing but praise for everyone at the hospital from the consultants, nurses to the physiotherapist. Thanks to everyone’s dedication, knowledge and professionalism, I now have my life back. Even the chefs deserve thanks for the restaurant quality food they produced to encourage me to eat, even though I had little appetite during my stay in hospital.”
Once at home, Keith felt some short term discomfort in the stomach muscles when walking, coughing and blowing his nose, and was surprised at how little actual pain he experienced and how quickly he has recovered. He hardly had any incontinence of urine a week after his operation, and is also gradual gaining improvement of his sexual function.
A series of follow-up consultations and blood tests have confirmed that the surgery was successful in fully removing the cancer. Keith returned to work last November, initially on a part time basis, but within a few weeks had resumed full time work. He concludes “I highly commend the aftercare and dedication shown by the hospital team in ensuring my return of full health.”
Read more about Spire Roding's prostate cancer service.