A thorascope and how it will help Isle of Wight cancer patients and their families

image: Square to Square 2008 logo

A thorascope and how it will help Isle of Wight cancer patients and their families - the aim of Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008

Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008 has the specific aim of raising at least £25,000 for the provision of a thorascaope for St Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight; ideally the respiratory unit at St Mary's Hospital would like two thorascopes, as the sterilisation turnaround is at least 24 hours and two would provide a better service to patients.

Currently Isle of Wight cancer patients have to travel across the solent to the mainland (Southampton) for diagnosis and treatment with the thorascope.

A more detailed explaination of what a thorascope will be able to provide is show below from Anne Snow, Lung Cancer CNS, St Mary's Hospital NHS Trust, Newport, Isle of Wight:

The pleural cavity surrounds the lungs. Diseases of this cavity such as cancer, mesothelioma, tuberculosis are difficult to diagnose.

On a simple CXR and CT scan of the chest we can only see fluid and/or thickening of the pleural layer. With medical thoracoscopy, the thorascope (instrument) allows us to see into the cavity, take biopsies and insert talc to seal the space and stop the fluid reaccumulating. At present patients have this performed at Southampton.

Performing this procedure locally will enable a

• Much shorter diagnostic and treatment pathway

• Improved communication and support for patient, relative and carers

• Performed locally – new diagnostic service

• Allows patients to be near home – significant others can visit, patient not isolated in end of life

• Less waiting time

• Reduced inpatient stay

 

Why a thorascope?

The is a long history of ship building on the Isle of Wight and a great deal of this work in the past involved contact with asbestos before the true dangers were known. Unfortunately, following exposure to asbestos it can take 20 to 30 years before mesothelioma affects the individual.

Of course, firefighters inherently have a dangerous job, which is fundamentally affected by their lung capacity, and they risk exposure to dangerous chemicals, fumes and smoke.

In the past protection and awareness of the dangers was not always as good as it maybe should have been and 25 to 40 years later ex-firefighters are begining to suffer from mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Lung cancer is of course also caused by smoking.

The provision of thorascopes on the island will help the cancer patients, but also their families who will also be able to be comforted by seeing their relative, avoiding the travel to the mainland and ensuring such a difficult time is made just that little bit easier.

You can download a Powerpoint presentation by Anne Snow, Lung Cancer CNS, St Mary's Hospital NHS Trust, Newport, Isle of Wight here (813KB).

 

 

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