THE acquisition of a revolutionary type of robotic assisted surgery which could help save the lives of cancer sufferers in south Worcestershire and the Cotswolds has become the focus of a charity launched last week.

The £1.6m Robocap Appeal, which is being spearheaded by people who have all been affected by prostate cancer, aims to bring the Da Vinci Surgical System to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where it will be stationed in the urology department.

The Da Vinci system allows surgeons to operate not only on prostate cancer, but also bladder, ear, nose and throat cancers, as well as gynaecological problems, with unmatched precision through small incisions just a few millimetres long.

Sat at a computer console, the surgeon is able to look into the body through a small fibre optic camera and direct tiny robotic hands to carry out the operations in a way which is less invasive, less painful, and with reduced risk of infection or complications. This also leads to quicker recovery times.

Getting this piece of equipment would mean that patients from south Worcestershire, the Cotswolds and Herefordshire would be able to benefit from ground-breaking surgery much closer to home, and alongside their existing medical care.

Biral Patel, a consultant urological surgeon at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, said: “This is the biggest development in surgery in the last few decades. Robotic assisted surgery is the most modern and refined type of keyhole surgery to cure early prostate cancer. More than 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in England and Wales, 800 of them are in the three shires of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

“Indeed most people know someone who has died from, or is suffering from, prostate cancer. We believe patients in our part of the country deserve this modern equipment.”

Chairman of the Robocap Appeal charity is Grace Bowes, from Gloucester, who became determined to get the money for the equipment after almost losing her husband, George, aged 63, to prostate cancer.

As a result of complications, George was rushed to hospital,where he remained for three months. Despite now being back at home, he has to undergo kidney dialysis three times a week, together with annual tests for the next five years, and the couple believe a better way of treating the problem can make all the difference to family’s lives.

Grace said: “When George was so desperately ill I went to the Cotswold Prostate Cancer Support Group. I was at my wits’ end and they were marvellous.

“At one of the meetings George’s consultant urologist talked about the Da Vinci Surgical System and that was when I decided I would strive 110 per cent to get it.

“One or two consultants didn’t think George would walk out of hospital and I’m convinced if he could have had robotic assisted surgery he wouldn’t have had to go through all that pain and may not have developed further problems.”

Grace, together with the other 10 trustees, including Mr Patel, launched the Robocap Appeal last Thursday.

She added: “Why should residents of south Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire go without when this equipment is available in Birmingham, Bristol and Oxford?

“Do our men not deserve the best treatment available? Please help us to raise the £1.6 million we need to secure the machine and make lives easier for those affected by the disease.

“All donations, large and small are welcome, so please donate what you can and help us achieve our goal.”

To give to the appeal or find out more, visit the Robocap Appeal website at robocap.org, or call Grace Bowes on 01452 423677.