Men facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer should be well informed of what is happening with advances in both diagnostic and treatment processes, which will assist in the critical decisions they need to make about their prostate cancer experience.

Local specialists will present in this forum, setting out some of the innovations and improved techniques available in both public and private health systems, and also look at future innovations that are on the horizon.

Please note: Spaces are limited so please register to secure a seat.

Hand sanitizer and masks will be supplied at the door. If you have your own masks, please bring these with you. Event details may change in response to COVID-19 alert level restrictions.

We invite you to join us along with guest speakers:

Mr Alastair Hepburn (Urologist)

Alastair is a Dunedin-based urologist practicing in both public and private hospitals. He is an Otago local, having grown up in Cromwell, studied medicine at University of Otago before travelling overseas.

He worked for several years in the U.K. as a Forensic Physician for the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary then returned to New Zealand and start formal surgical and urological training completing his fellowship years in New South Wales before returning to Dunedin.

Mr Serge Luke (Urologist)

Serge is a Urological Surgeon with sub specialty interest and expertise in minimally invasive (laparoscopic or keyhole) surgical techniques for treating urological conditions.

He grew up in Siberia and graduated from Novosibirsk Medical School in Russia before spending 2 years doing medical research on polycystic kidney disease in Heidelberg University in Germany. He moved to New Zealand in 2005 and was admitted to the surgical training program in 2006 and underwent general surgery and urology training in Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton and then undertook fellowship training in Australia.

Serge furthered his training in India learning modern techniques of reconstructive urological procedures (such as urethroplasty for treating urethral strictures) with one of the most renowned experts in the world.

Dr Shaun Costello (Oncologist)

Shaun completed his medical training in Scotland qualifying in 1990 in Clinical Oncology with both FRCR and an MSc in Medical and Clinical Oncology. He spent his Senior Registrar year in Christchurch Hospital and was appointed Consultant in Oncology at Dunedin Hospital in 1992.

He had an appointment in Ontario Canada as Medical Director for the new cancer centre In Grand River which opened July 2003 and then was recruited back to Dunedin in September 2003 to work in the Oncology Service, and in December 2003 was appointed Director of Medical Services for Healthcare Otago.

Shaun is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow and the Canadian College.

Pauline Bloomfield (K9 Medical Detection NZ)

Pauline has owned and trained dogs for over 40 years. Her understanding of the incredible sensory abilities of canines led to her creating K9 Medical Detection New Zealand Charitable Trust. The use of dogs as a diagnostic tool for the early non-invasive detection of cancer and other diseases has been embraced by Otago University and Pauline has a brought together a full specialist clinical support team.

She established a training centre in the North Island dedicated solely to the training of dogs for the early detection of prostate cancer and is currently creating a second training centre in the South Island for further canine cancer detection training.