Malcom Stickler is one of the first patients to ring the
celebration bell at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre's
radiotherapy department, sounding in the end of his treatment.
Malcom volunteered to take part in a research feasibility study
at the hospital, which is looking at whether a new radiotherapy
technique could be safely used to treat prostate cancer patients at
the hospital.
Prostate tumours often appear as 'islands' of malignant tissue
within the prostate, with each area containing a larger number of
cancer cells. Giving these areas a higher 'boost' dose of
radiotherapy may prevent recurrence without harming healthy tissue.
This technique is called dose painting.
Steve Blake, head of radiotherapy physics at the Bristol
Haematology and Oncology Centre and study lead said:
"Suitable patients who were due to have radiotherapy and who
volunteered for the study were scanned on the CRICBristol 3T MRI
scanner.
"These scans were then reviewed to identify areas that would be
suitable for dose painting within the prostate, and plans were
produced to show how this could be done.
"These plans were then assessed to ensure that the treatment
could be delivered safely in the future, without harming any
healthy tissue.
"At the moment this is a feasibility only study. A
national trial is now being prepared and the Bristol study will
help us get involved."
"The Bristol Dose Painting Study was funded by Above &
Beyond."
The celebration bell was donated from a patient, in memory of
their late father. It is mounted on the wall near the way out of
the department for patients to ring when they have completed their
last treatment.
Petra Jacobs, deputy radiotherapy services manager, said:
"The patients and staff in the waiting room have been clapping
when the bell is rung and some patients have made mini speeches of
encouragement and wishing the other patients well."
"A lot of people have already appreciated this special gift and
it brings an extra positive feeling to the end of their
treatments."
Malcom Stickler said:
"I'd like to thank everybody, both at Weston and those in the
oncology department in Bristol for the service and everything done
for me since January.
"It's been excellent treatment right the way through and I
couldn't fault it at all."
