The Isle of Man Cancer Service Users Forum is holding its next ’Meet the Consultant’ evening on Monday (February 26).

The Forum, which was formed in 2003, contributes to the ongoing development of cancer services in the island by providing ideas and feedback from those living with cancer to local health services at a strategic level. It also offers cancer patients the chance to meet with a consultant working in the island on an informal basis and ask questions that might not have come to mind during a formal hospital appointment.

Julie Stokes, deputy chairperson of the Forum, said: ’We are thrilled to have Mr Giovanni Tebala who is Consultant General and Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Nobles Hospital at this next meeting.

’Mr Tebala came to the island with his family from Italy in 2013. He will give a presentation on his time on the island working as a Consultant Gastrointestinal, Laparoscopic and General Surgeon and Colorectal Lead at Nobles Hospital. His main interest has always been colorectal (bowel) cancer and the treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancers (cancer of the oesophagus), although Manx patients diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal cancers will not be treated on island but will be sent to the Liverpool Royal.

’He will talk about the pathway taken by Manx patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers on the island and the type of treatment they can expect to have.’

Mrs Stokes went on: ’There are around 70 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed on the island each year and 75% of surgery will be keyhole which is a vast improvement on the UK where only 40% of surgery is done by keyhole. This massively impacts on the time spent in hospital. ’When Mr Tebala came to the island the average stay in hospital after surgery was 6-7 days. Now over 40% of patients will be discharged around three days after surgery.’

Last year Mr Tebala was awarded the Freedom of the City of London, granted by the Guilds of the City for his achievements as a colorectal consultant. After his presentation there will be a short questions and answers session.

The meeting will be held at the Hailwood Centre behind the grandstand. Admission is free and there is ample parking.

Anyone wanting further information can call Julie Stokes on 454647.