Bowel cancer charity buys kit for PEH
A NEW diathermy unit will help improve treatment for bowel cancers in the Bailiwick.
The equipment was purchased by charity Bowel Cancer Guernsey for the Medical Specialist Group doctors working in the Princess Elizabeth Hospital endoscopy suite.
Over the years the charity, which was established in 2001, has donated funds and purchased various pieces of equipment to help in the screening process, detection and treatment of bowel cancer.
The diathermy unit enables the safe removal of lesions from the gastrointestinal tract. It also has argon plasma coagulator capacity, which allows specialists to treat bleeding lesions more safely.
Angiodysplasia is an example of these abnormal blood vessels, usually located in the stomach or bowel, that have a propensity to bleed frequently. Currently, patients with these conditions are having to be sent to Southampton and having this equipment should reduce off-island referrals.
MSG gastroenterologist Dr Hamish Duncan said this was a much-needed piece of equipment.
‘Some patients need a one-off course of APC treatment, but most will need multiple courses of APC treatment to reduce bleeding areas in the gastrointestinal tract,’ he said.
‘Not only will on-island APC treatment reduce the need for patients to travel to the UK but will reduce their waiting times for such treatment and reduce the need for blood transfusions and iron infusions.’
Clinical Support Services associate director Martin Peacock said the equipment would allow early treatment. ‘The fact that patients can receive this treatment here in the Bailiwick as opposed to an off-island referral will make a significant difference and enable them to receive the support and care they need in familiar surroundings.’
The funds to purchase the equipment, at a cost of £23,034.87, were generated via a lottery grant of £7,500, and various fundraising activities by the charity.
Bowel Cancer Guernsey chairwoman Anne Brouard said the charity was keen to ensure that doctors had access locally to the equipment needed to help with the treatment of bowel cancer.
‘We’re very grateful to everyone who has helped us to raise the funds to make this purchase possible, particularly as we know that it will make such a significant difference to islanders receiving treatment for bowel cancer,’ she said.
n For more information visit http://bowelcancerguernsey.org/.
