Vas Reversal Interview

Your Vasectomy Reversal Clinic is one of the busiest vasectomy reversal clinics in the UK and I am performing over 10 cases a week.

Currently, prostate biopsy is the only way to diagnose prostate cancer which affects 1 in 12 men in the UK each year.  It is possible that the PCA3 prostate cancer urine test may reduce the number of biopsies that a patient may require.

The PCA3 is carried out on a urine sample.  Following rectal examination of the prostate, prostate cells enter the urine and can be tested for the PCA3 cancer gene.  PCA3 is highly specific to prostate cancer and therefore in relation to PSA does not increase as a consequence to benign enlargement of the prostate or prostatitis.  Studies are showing that the PCA3 test is more accurate following a first negative biopsy and the the PCA3 test accurately predicts the results of repeat biopsies rather than the traditional prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

The PCA3 test is painless, takes 5 minutes to perform and as of March 2011 costs £500.  Results are returned within 7 to 10 days.  It is not currently available on the NHS.  If you would like further information, please ring my secretary on 0115 966 2118.

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men. It affects 1 in 12 and often lies undetected before becoming symptomatic. With this in mind, the Nottingham Prostate Clinic was established to encourage men to be screened for prostate cancer and to obtain specialist advice. The clinic offers PSA testing for which the results are obtained within the consultation. A tiny amount of blood from the finger tip is all that is required and can immediately indicate whether the patient has a risk of having prostate cancer or not.

A PSA test measures the Prostate Specific Antigen level which rises in the presence of prostate cancer cells. It can also rise for non -cancerous reasons and so the PSA is measured in conjunction with a rectal examination. Examination of the Prostate gland in this way gives an early indication as to whether the gland is healthy or not.

It is also possible to have a newer genetic test for prostate cancer. This is generally taken by men who wish to rule out for certain that they are free of the disease. The PCA-3 test requires a urine sample after a rectal examination of the prostate and determines the presence of prostate cancer cells or not.

Historically, men do not attend their family doctor as often as women do. In part this is due to that women are used to being screened. There is a worrying trend though and that is that  prostate cancer is being found in younger men, in their early forties. Whilst prostate cancer can be treated effectively, and often curatively, it has a better outcome if the disease is caught and treated early.

The Nottingham Prostate Clinic is located at the BMI Castle Consulting Centre in central Nottingham.

Bladder Botox Injections have had a dramatic effect on the quality of life for many people. A recent study (June 2009) in the British Journal of Urology found that in studyadministering bladder botox injections and a placebo,  at four weeks post procedure urgency and urge urinary incontinence were statistically correlated with improvements in quality of life and the same was true at 12 weeks for frequency and urgency. The overall benefits were found to last at least 24 weeks after the injections were administered, with patients reporting both a reduction in bothersome bladder symptoms and an improved quality of life.

At the  Nottingham Bladder Clinic,  Duncan Harriss adminsters the bladder botox injections and finds that in approximately 70% of women regain their bladder control after one session. The Nottingham Bladder Clinic is held at the BMI Park Hospital Nottingham and is part of the overall nottingham urology service he offers there.

The actual operation takes between 1 and 2 hours and as it is conducted under a general anaesthetic, the people concerned stay overnight. Using a micro-surgical method, the 2 ends of the vas deferens are re-joined. Mr Harriss conducts aver 150 of these operations a year and has excellent outcomes with over 92% having positive sperm samples.

Whilst there are many opportunities to have a vasectomy reversal in the uk, often cost and location help people to make up their minds. However, it is important that the frequency of surgery is not overlooked. For example, although there are a few urologists in the nottingham area, Mr Harriss conducts over 250 vasectomy reversals a year which is an extremely high number. Experience and positive outcomes are the result with Mr Harriss achieving over 92% success rate.  Patients voluntarily send him thanks and news of forth-coming pregnancies .