Thousands of prostate cancer cases in Norway every year
Increased PSA screening of men over 45 means more prostate cancer cases are detected earlier. Most men have no symptoms before the disease becomes serious. “If all men were better at seeing their doctor, most cases of serious prostate cancer could be prevented,” says our urologist Trond Jørgensen.
According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, there is roughly a 15% lifetime risk of prostate cancer. Many of the men affected need prostate surgery:
- 5,000 new cases of prostate cancer every year
- 1,000 men die of prostate cancer each year
- 55,000 men live with the diagnosis
You can take active steps against prostate cancer by having one PSA blood test per year. Elevated PSA levels may indicate disease. Regular PSA testing makes it possible to detect cancer early, when curative treatment such as robotic surgery can be performed in a gentle way.
Prostate surgery should not only cure prostate cancer, but also avoid late complications such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Keyhole surgery and robotic prostate surgery were introduced around the 2000s and have made an important contribution to better outcomes.
Robotic surgery is vital in the fight against prostate cancer
Robotic prostate surgery is a keyhole procedure in which the surgeon controls robotic arms. Instruments and a camera are inserted through small incisions. The arms are highly precise, so instruments shake less than in conventional surgery. The surgeon’s finger movements are processed by the computer so the robotic arms move even more steadily.
It is a gentle method that enables faster recovery and good results. Robotic surgery is widely used across the Western world for this type of operation. At CMedical, patients are offered comfortable single rooms with hotel-standard accommodation. Sick leave is normally no more than two weeks, unless the patient has a physically demanding job.
The robotic surgeons at CMedical
“In recent years robotic surgery has completely taken over for this type of procedure. We are two surgeons who have been fortunate to be part of the private robot project. We have long experience with these procedures from the public sector and have performed more than 2,000 operations over the last 10–12 years,” says robotic surgeon Bjørn Brennhovd.
Bjørn Brennhovd and Nicolai Wessel are CMedical’s two robotic surgeons. Brennhovd introduced robotic surgery in Norway back in 2004 after many years leading urological cancer surgery at Radiumhospitalet. He has trained surgeons in Norway and performs 100–150 procedures each year.
Nicolai Wessel is one of the most experienced surgeons and urologists in Europe in robotic-assisted surgery. He started with robotic surgery in 2007 and has performed more than 1,400 robotic prostate cancer operations. He also has special expertise in prostate cancer and laparoscopic urological procedures.
Leading in robotic surgery and prostate care
Robotic prostate surgery has delivered major improvements and results. Ultimately, however, it is the surgeon’s knowledge and skills that matter most. Robotic operations nevertheless make it easier for surgeons to refine their technique.
We believe early diagnosis through PSA screening is crucial in the fight against prostate cancer. Patients can then be grouped by risk and receive better tailored treatment, improving prognosis and the foundation for quality of life after robotic surgery.
“My recommendation is that all men aged 50+ should have an annual PSA blood test — perhaps when the car is in for service, so you don’t forget,” encourages former patient Tor Egil Austebø.
Where can I have robotic surgery in Norway?
CMedical offers short waiting times with leading experts in urology and robotic surgery in Norway and the rest of Scandinavia. You can use your health insurance with us. Contact us for more information or to book a PSA blood test.