Patient Experience
The Urology Department in St James’s Hospital provides a multidisciplinary service that focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular and penile cancer. The unit has a strong commitment to improving patient quality of care and outcomes through research involving urological cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system which is located just beneath the bladder. Prostate cancer develops when the cells of the prostate grow in an abnormal way. Most prostate cancers are slow growing, although there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer is often suspected after an abnormal blood test, the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), or an abnormal prostate examination. An MRI scan is often performed to gather more information, or to help determine if a biopsy is necessary. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is confirmed by obtaining tissue from the prostate gland. This is often done with a needle biopsy of the prostate through the back passage (called Trans-Rectal Ultrasound-Guided, TRUS, and biopsy).
There are a number of treatment options suitable for patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and these depend on the stage and grade of your cancer. Both you and your consultant will decide on the treatment that suits you. The following treatment options are available:
You will be cared for by a team of people who are experts in the different aspects of your treatment. The multidisciplinary team includes:
Consultant Urologists, surgeons who specialise in urological surgery:
Urology Clinical Nurse Specialists, who help to facilitate your care while supporting you and your family:
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Candidate), Prostate Cancer
Urology Cancer Data Manager
Radiation Oncologists, who specialise in radiotherapy:
Consultant Oncologist, who specialises in chemotherapy treatments:
You may also meet other members of our team, which includes junior doctors, specialist cancer nurse coordinators, X-ray staff, phlebotomy staff and secretarial personnel.
The Irish Cancer Society has a Daffodil Centre located on the ground floor of the hospital. The aim of the centre is to provide practical, psychological or financial support and information to anyone who is or has been affected by cancer.
Phone: (01) 616 5604
Email: daffodilcentrestjames@irishcancer.ie
Men Against Cancer (MAC) is a support group for men with prostate cancer. MAC provides men and their relatives and friends with information, advice and emotional support from time of diagnosis for as long as needed.
Freefone: 1800 200 700
Email: support@irishcancer.ie
Website www.cancer.ie
ARC House is located at 559 South Circular Road, close to the Rialto exit of the hospital. ARC cancer centre provides support and information for people affected by cancer. ARC also run courses specifically for men living with prostate cancer.
Phone: (01) 707 8880
Email: info@arccancersupport.ie
Website: www.arccancersupport.ie
Other Resources
The following are websites of organisations offering information relating to the treatment and management of cancer:
Irish Cancer Society: www.cancer.ie
Action Cancer: www.actioncancer.org
Cancer Network Buddies: www.cancerbuddiesnetwork.org
Macmillan Cancer Support (UK): www.macmillan.org.uk
Royal Marsden Hospital Foundation NHS Trust: www.royalmarsden.org
Mayo Clinic (U.S.): www.mayoclinic.com