«I had to fight to get Ablatherm treatment!» Robert M.

Interviewed by journalist Nathaly Mermet, on 06/SEP/06.

In July 2003, when Robert M. was told he had prostate cancer, it came as a terrible blow; he was 66 years old. His urologist immediately proposed surgery. An appointment was made for a radical prostatectomy …in just two months’ time!

Completely by chance, a few days after this terrible discovery, Robert M. happened to watch a TV programme about … prostate cancer during which there were veiled references to a recent technique called Ablatherm. He was immediately attracted to a solution that was described as being non invasive, and his hopes were revived. He went back to see his urologist to ask him whether it would be possible to benefit from this focused ultrasound treatment. The answer was unequivocal, dispelling the possibility of any alternative: he was “too young, and the efficacy of the treatment had not been demonstrated”.

Too young, was he indeed! …Robert was determined not to accept the verdict, and went off to get another opinion. He decided to cancel his surgical appointment.

Sexuality is important for men.

Robert M. makes no bones about it: who you know can sometimes be very useful …and it was a Professor of Urology in Nîmes who referred him to a clinic in Montpellier equipped for Ablatherm. He thought he’d found a solution …but then another obstacle appeared. The surgeon who saw him was not enthusiastic either! Robert M. was indeed too young, since the guidelines of the Association Française d’Urologie (French Urology Society) set 70 years as the minimum age for Ablatherm treatment. The urologist also warned him that it was a new treatment for which there was not enough follow up, etc. etc. “At 66 years of age, I didn’t want to ruin my sex life by having an invasive operation when less invasive solutions are available that can preserve erection better!” says Robert. There was no point pretending. He found it hard to imagine life without normal sexual relations …and took full responsibility for all the risks mentioned by the urologist.

His urologist told us that Mr M. is “one of those very determined patients, for whom it is possible to envisage deviating from the rule established by the AFU”. It is true that he was four years below than the minimum age recommended by the AFU. “But it was one of those special case where a number of meetings and in-depth discussions are required between the patient and the urologist”, explained his doctor. “Urologists are men just like us. They don’t imagine they have all the answers, and you can talk to them openly…man to man!” Robert added.

His determination therefore proved decisive! And he did indeed receive Ablatherm treatment in 2003. He is now 69 years old, and says he is happy that he was so determined … to the point of obstinacy! And with good reason: everything went perfectly and he had no pain. “I didn’t even feel as if I’d had an operation!” he says. “You can get up on the day of the operation itself, and the only thing that’s really annoying is having to go round with a catheter for 48 hours”, he explained ironically.

To be discharged from hospital, he had to fill three urine bags. So, as usual, he was absolutely determined to fulfil his obligation in record time, he explained humorously.