A CANCER patient has called for urology cancer surgery to be continued at Colchester General Hospital.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence says cancer surgery centres should serve a population of at least one million people – and that means there should only be one urology unit in Essex.

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Consultant urologist at Colchester General Hospital John Corr said he believes both Colchester and Southend will bid for it.

Cancer suffers claim it is unreasonable to expect patients and their families to go on a 120-mile round trip for surgery in Southend.

John Mann, of Fronks Road, Dovercourt, was diagnosed with bladder cancer and cancer of the ureter tube last year.

Mr Mann, who is now retired, had to have part of his ureter tube and bladder removed.

The 69-year-old has called for the service to remain in Colchester.

“The wonderful treatment that I received during the various scans and tests, the two operations, one of which was nearly six hours long, followed by chemotherapy, was first class,” he said.

“The nurses, along with McMillan nurses and support staff must not be left out of the praise.

“It is so important to keep it in Colchester.

“Colchester has the best team possible along with state of the art equipment, only recently has a further £250,000 be spent on staff and equipment.

“If Colchester loses out, yes diagnoses will still continue at Colchester, but surgery would be carried in Southend.”

Urological cancers include those of the bladder, kidney or prostate.

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