A seventh surgeon has been trained to use the Da Vinci robotic system for prostate cancer treatment. Prostate Cymru funded the training of Mr Adam Cox to use the equipment for minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery. Mr Cox, a proud Welshman who works in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board, has already completed over thirty procedures helping patients from Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. Adam’s subspecialist interests centre on diseases of the prostate and he is also trained to provide Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, the gold-standard treatment for men with urinary symptoms due to benign prostate enlargement.
Operation Robot, the campaign to bring robotic surgery to Wales, was launched in 2012. The campaign aimed to highlight the geographic inequality between England and Wales for prostate cancer treatment and to lobby the government to offer this innovative type of surgery to Welsh patients. At the time of the campaign, Wales did not have a robot whilst England had over 40.
Following a petition and representations from Prostate Cymru, the Welsh Government agreed to fund the £2.5 million Da Vinci robot through their Health Technology fund and with assistance from Cardiff University. Prostate Cymru has funded the training of the surgeons using the equipment.
The robotic system was installed in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff in 2014 and hundreds of patients have already been treated using the robot, which dramatically reduces recovery time and is much less invasive for the patient.
Adam recently showed his support for the charity by volunteering at The Big Walk 2019 alongside specialist urology nurse Janet Marty. Adam and Janet were raising awareness of prostate issues at the short route finish line at the Duke of Wellington, Cowbridge and cheering on the walkers with words of encouragement. The duo were so inspired by the walkers that they are entering a team from the urology department into the event next year.