The North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke (which by coincidence is where my first son was born) has conducted a trial of treating prostate cancer which may be unsuitable for surgery using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. Because the ultrasound is so focused there is very little damage to surrounding tissue, which is a risk with prostate cancer surgery.

I hope the results continue to be positive. It is only speculation, but perhaps this kind of treatment has potential for other types of cancer where surgery is not suitable – or could even replace surgery for some situations.

You can read more on Sky News at http://tinyurl.com/njkzyh