Bowel Cancer Guernsey has purchased a new diathermy unit for the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) doctors working in the Princess Elizabeth Hospital Endoscopy Suite.
The unit has been purchased to improve the treatment of bowel cancer in the Bailiwick.
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.
The recent investment of the new diathermy unit demonstrates the charity’s ongoing dedication to raising awareness of bowel cancer and improving survival rates. 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.
Dr Hamish Duncan, Gastroenterologist at the MSG, said: “We are very grateful to Bowel Cancer Guernsey for purchasing this 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. 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.”
Martin Peacock, Associate Director, Clinical Support Services said: “We are delighted that patients can benefit from the early treatment that this new equipment enables. 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.”
Anne Brouard, Chairperson of Bowel Cancer Guernsey, concluded: “We’re always keen to ensure that doctors have access to the equipment they need to help with the treatment of bowel cancer here in the Bailiwick.”
“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.”
It is crucial that everyone knows what symptoms to look out for so that they can inform their GP should they have any worries. For more information about this please head to the Bowel Cancer Guernsey website.
