Men’s health event promotes living well and NGH’s prostate cancer innovation
Men’s health and prostate cancer care were the focus of a special event held at Northampton General Hospital on Friday 6 November.
Visitors met specialist teams, accessed resources from local health organisations and learned about Northampton General Hospital’s expanding suite of equipment to diagnose and treat prostate cancer.
Northampton General Hospital is one of only a few NHS hospitals to have a specialist MRI fusion guided prostate biopsy machine for improved prostate cancer diagnosis as well as a range of innovative focal therapy treatment options - including High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Irreversible Electroporation (Nanoknife).
Mr Chandran Tanabalan, Associate Medical Director for Clinical Efficiency and Productivity and Consultant Urological Surgeon at UHN, organised the event. He said: “This was a very special event, bringing people together to learn about the many support services available locally, especially for prostate cancer.
“Our innovative focal therapy technology is not just about treating the cancer, but also about preserving quality of life. Through innovation, persistence and generosity, we have turned this vision into a reality; bringing about real change for our patients. We are proud to offer faster, more precise, less invasive and patient-centred services for men in Northamptonshire and beyond.”
The specialist equipment has been made possible thanks to the generosity of donors to Northamptonshire Health Charity’s focal therapy appeal. Jonathan McGee, Northamptonshire Health Charity CEO, said: “One in eight cancer diagnoses are prostate cancer and I too was diagnosed shortly after we started the fundraising appeal.
“It brought it home to me that prostate cancer affects a lot of men and we remain committed to supporting opportunities like these that make a lasting difference to patients.”
Patients say prostate care was brilliant
Patients who attended the event shared what treatment at Northampton General hospital meant to them.
Lance Smith, from Wollaston, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and treated using HIFU in November 2025.
He said: “I am grateful to have my treatment here in Northampton. I feel personally very lucky. I wish the services available at Northampton General Hospital could be rolled out nationally.”
David Cown was referred to Northampton General Hospital for his prostate cancer treatment and travelled down from his home in Manchester to be at the men’s health event. He said: “My care and treatment were incredible. The Trust has been brilliant and Mr Tanabalan is an amazing man. He’s not just a surgeon; he is a kind human being who listens and reassures his patients. I can’t thank him enough.”
Attendee Michael Curtis-Green, from Banbury, praised the event and emphasised the importance of men talking about their health. He said: “As a gender, we bury our heads in the sand and that’s unhelpful. It is so important that men talk about their prostate and their wider health. We have a responsibility to look after ourselves.”
Alongside the prostate cancer services, stands at the event included Macmillan Cancer, Maggie’s Northampton, Talking Health Northants, the Graham Fulford Trust, Prost8 and the Stop Smoking team, offering opportunities to talk about men’s health and wellbeing.
Mr Tanabalan’s message to men is clear: “Do not ignore concerns about your health, whether this is to do with blood pressure, cardiovascular health, weight or prostate cancer. Sometimes asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do.”
To donate to the focal therapy appeal, visit the Northamptonshire Health Charity’s website.