My name is Ray Dean and I am a former professional footballer. When In 2004 when I was 58 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
My first course of treatment was radiotherapy and consisted of 35 sessions at The Royal Marsden, and this held cancer at bay for approximately 5 years. It then returned and, due to the location of the tumour, my only curative treatment option was the groundbreaking radiotherapy robot CyberKnife. I was doubly fortunate as I was the first NHS patient to be given this treatment, which was previously only available to private patients. Prior to this, you had to go abroad for CyberKnife and privately fund the treatment yourself! My treatment plan consisted of just three sessions and had no ill effects, which was a vast improvement to the 35 sessions previously experienced.
The robot moved over me and was able to adjust to any movement made, such as breathing. I didn't feel in any way intimidated by the treatment room and the most impressive aspect of the treatment process was the quality and professionalism of the staff who provided the technical expertise. I can't sing the praises of CyberKnife enough as this wonderful piece of equipment offers so much hope for many people.