Advances in Nerve-Sparing Surgery for Prostate Cancer
The development of prostate cancer surgery is a rapidly evolving area of medical research, both in Australia and internationally. Groundbreaking advancements in robotic-assisted and nerve-sparing techniques over recent decades have transformed patient outcomes.
While prostatectomy remains a critical treatment for many men, the risk of erectile dysfunction and incontinence has long been a concern. Now, thanks to innovative surgical approaches, including researchers in the United States recently performing the world’s first dual-robotic surgery to remove the prostate gland while sparing surrounding nerves, and precision nerve-sparing techniques, there is new hope for improved recovery and quality of life.
Host Katie Clift is joined by a panel of experts to discuss significant advances in prostate cancer nerve-sparing surgery over the past two decades: Dr Phillip Stricker, a leading prostate cancer clinician and surgeon in Australia with more than 20 years of dedication to prostate cancer, prostate care and research, Gay Corbett, a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse who has established a sexual wellness after treatment clinic and developed an intimacy education program for men, and Ken Bezant prostate cancer survivor and advocate.
Join us as we explore how cutting-edge surgical innovations are improving continence and erectile function outcomes, the role of post-surgical rehabilitation, and what patients can do to achieve the best possible recovery.
While estimates suggest that around 70% of men who undergo prostate surgery will experience erectile dysfunction, not all those affected report their symptoms or seek help. If you have questions about prostate cancer surgery, contact a PCFA nurse on 1800 22 00 99, or visit prostate.org.au.
HOST
Katie Clift
Director of International Public Relations Agency maybe, Global Moderator, Speaker & Breast Cancer Survivor
Katie Clift is Director of maybe, an international counter-cultural public relations agency. An MBA scholar of Warwick Business School. Katie has worked internationally on both sides of communications – in the media (radio, television & digital journalism) and as a PR, spokesperson, and corporate affairs executive - for both the private and public sectors. She has a decade of experience as a moderator, presenting sessions, interviews and press conferences globally, from the World Economic Forum in Davos to the Union for International Cancer Control’s World Cancer Congress and various in-person and online events. Katie was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in her 30s, and after 18 months of active treatment, returned to life and work more determined than ever to advocate for people affected by all types of cancer, and upscale communications for nonprofits globally.
PANELLISTS
Dr Phillip Stricker, one of Australia’s leading prostate cancer clinicians and surgeons
Dr Phillip Stricker is a leading prostate cancer clinician and surgeon in Australia, with a particular expertise and passion for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer and benign prostate conditions. He is also a urologist and Director of the St Vincent’s Prostate Cancer Centre and Chairman of the Department of Urology at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and Clinic. His practice has been dedicated to prostate cancer and prostate care exclusively for over 20 years. Dr Stricker is a leading expert in the treatment of prostate cancer in Australasia and is a pioneer in prostate cancer imaging. He has of the most extensive surgical experiences in his field, having performed almost 3000 robotic prostatectomies, over 4,000 open prostatectomies, over 480 high-dose-rate and over 1,000 low-dose-rate brachytherapy procedures, over 10,000 transperineal biopsies, and over 600 focal NanoKnife® therapy procedures, the latter two of which he pioneered. Professor Stricker’s area of research focuses on the quality of life in patients following treatment, perfecting surgical techniques, the introduction of less invasive surgical techniques, utilising medical imagining for the detection and evaluation of prostate cancer and tailoring therapy for all patients with prostate cancer. Find out more at https://www.phillipstricker.com.au.
Gay Corbett, PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse at Ballarat Health Services
Gay has been part of PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing program since 2014. After seeing that there was a major need to provide support and encouragement to men in the Grampians region and to improve their health seeking behaviours, Gay decided to be a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse and help remedy this deficit. This job provided the opportunity to marry together her skills of education and urology. Gay’s interest in men’s sexual function post treatment led her to establish a sexual wellness after treatment clinic, and also develop an intimacy education workshop called ‘ When prostate cancer joins you in the bedroom’ for men to navigate sexual function changes post diagnosis and treatment with their partners. Find out more PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses at https://www.prostate.org.au/pcfa-nursing-and-support/.
Ken Bezant, Survivor, PCaHELP Chairperson, Business Founder
Ken is a multi-award winning building designer, accredited energy and sustainability assessor and educator who is passionate about improving the health of the world we will leave to future generations. He is the Chairperson of PCaHelp, a not-for-profit association run by volunteers to provide information to men and their families affected by prostate cancer. As Chairperson, Ken is actively involved in promoting the development and growth of Western Australian prostate cancer support groups and in creating awareness about the early detection and management of prostate cancer. Ken was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 at age 59, and after a prostatectomy has regained erectile function following treatment.
