A new treatment for prostate cancer has now become available at The Kings Oak Hospital in Enfield.

The hospital is one of only a few in the UK that is able to offer the new treatment which is called HIFU (High Intensify Ultrasound).

HIFU enables the surgeon to focus on the treatment just on the prostate area, ensuring that surrounding tissues are not damaged.

In addition, HIFU also eliminates the need for radiotherapy as well as the surgical removal of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK and, because symptoms are not usually noticeable in the early stages of the disease, it often not diagnosed until the cancer has become more advanced.

For patients with localised prostate cancer, this new treatment offers an effective and non invasive alternative to other methods of treatment. This is particularly good news for patients who cannot tolerate the side-effects associated with radiation, or for patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery.

HIFU also has a low complication rate and other forms of treatment can still be used after a patient has received HIFU.

Liz Sharp, executive director at The Kings Oak Hospital, said: "We are delighted to be the only local and regional hospital to offer HIFU to our patients. The new treatment will ensure that patients are offered effective alternate treatment for localised prostate cancer."

For more information about prostate cancer, contact your GP or, to find out more about HIFU, contact The Kings Oak Hospital marketing dept on 020 8370 9500.