High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) Trial

David Goddard was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2011. He was given lots of information from the hospital as to what options he could take and also specialist nurses he could ring with any questions he had. Luckily, he was in the "low risk" category - which meant that his cancer may stay confined to the prostate and might never cause a problem. Worries about the prospect of negative side-effects from various treatments David was considering the option of "Active Surveillance".

Whilst researching the options he was sent some information about the HIFU trials taking place in the UK and was informed that the trial was being set up at the Bristol Heamatology & Oncology Centre (BHOC) Clinical Trials Unit (CTU). After checking the eligibility criteria he asked his consultant to refer him to the Trials Unit where he had an initial interview with the Research Team. After answering some questions and having some blood samples tested he was accepted onto the trial.

Once on the trial David underwent some diagnostic tests which all went well and he eventually had his treatment on 5 July 2012. After the treatment he reported feeling fine and was monitored overnight in hospital. After returning home to West Wales he continued to feel fine, enough to return to his normal day-to-day activities. Two weeks after his treatment he underwent a follow-up MRI scan and awaits the results of this. He reported feeling very positive and said, "I hope that taking part in this trial has cured my cancer, without any nasty side effects, and that it will be of help to other men in a similar situation. It's also a comfort to my wife and me that I'll be monitored over a three year period".