Galway University Hospitals will host a prestigious international prostate cancer seminar tomorrow (Friday ) and Saturday at the Radisson Hotel.
With Galway having the highest incidence of prostate cancer in Ireland, the local health authority says it is fitting that it will host this important gathering of international experts.
Radiation oncology experts at University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital are organising this year’s annual meeting of the UK and Ireland Prostate Brachytherapy group in Galway city.
The incidence of prostate cancer is rising in Ireland, with about 2,500 men diagnosed annually with this disease. Brachytherapy, also known as seed implantation, is a type of radiation treatment known to be highly effective in the management of this condition.
Cancer treating physicians, including radiation experts, surgeons and medical oncologists, will attend the Galway event together with other health professionals, such as physicists, radiation therapists and nurses, from all over the world.
The event’s convenor, Professor Frank Sullivan, a consultant in radiotherapy at UHG and professor of radiation oncology at NUI Galway, says it is an honour for Galway to be chosen as the location for this year’s prestigious gathering.
“It puts Galway and Ireland further on the map of those sites offering state-of-the-art care for men with prostate cancer.”
Professor Sullivan will chair the meeting and deliver the keynote address on prostate cancer trends and initiatives in Ireland.
A panel of international prostate cancer experts will address the two day seminar. These will include Dr Richard Stock, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai, New York, and a pioneer and leader in prostate brachytherapy. His lecture is entitled “15 Years’ Experience in Prostate Brachytherapy – Lessons Learned”.
Mr Eamonn Rogers, a consultant urologist at Galway University Hospitals, will speak on the role of surgery in the care of the high risk patient with prostate cancer, while Professor Steven Langley, a consultant urologist in Guildford, UK. will outline “What is New in Prostate Brachytherapy, with particular emphasis on Focal Prostate Brachytheraphy.” Margaret Moore, the head of radiotherapy physics at UHG, will speak on “Evolving Prostate Brachytherapy technique”.
Golfing legend Christy O’Connor will address the opening evening of the seminar on the theme “Achieving Excellence.”
Ger O’Boyle, clinical nurse manager at UHG’s radiotherapy department and one of the main organisers of the event, says men with early stage prostate cancer can now be offered all treatment choices at UHG and then decide which is most suitable.
“The treatment choices that currently exist are radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy and prostate seed implant.”
