Surgeons dedicated to fighting cancer have a new hi-tech weapon - a video unit giving them better views inside the body.

Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, will be the first in the country to have the equipment.

The Urology Computerised Video Cystoscope, which costs about £150,000, will allow experts to provide an early diagnosis of bladder cancer or prostate disease.

The equipment provides extremely high quality images of the patient's bladder and is considered by consultants to be "a major step forward".

The equipment, which hospital staff say will benefit about 2,000 people a year, is set to be launched next week.

The video technology is the most up-to-date of its kind and produces clearer and more immediate images than other diagnostic equipment.

Consultant urologist Henry Lewi said: "This is a major step forward for the treatment and diagnosis of patients with bladder cancer and prostate problems.

"Using the latest video technology we will be able to see better pictures inside the human body, the patients will benefit from earlier diagnosis and a more comfortable procedure," he added.

Broomfield Hospital said the new piece of kit would benefit patients from across the county. The equipment will be used in the urology clinic where patients are able to have tests and discuss results the same day.

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