PROSTATE • Kings Oak Hospital, London
Prostate Cancer in London — Kings Oak Hospital
Medically reviewed by Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole, MS, MCh, FRCS.Ed, DNB(Urol), FRCS(Urol)
Last medically reviewed: 21 May 2026
Last updated: 21 May 2026
North Enfield, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, and the Hertfordshire border communities contain a significant population of men over 55 for whom prostate cancer is a relevant health concern — and for whom the NHS prostate cancer pathway's delays are particularly consequential. A man of 68 with intermediate-risk prostate cancer who waits 4 months on an NHS pathway before surgical planning begins has lost a meaningful window that private care can preserve. Kings Oak Hospital at Chase Farm provides this community with private Cancer Lead specialist prostate assessment without a Central London journey. Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole FRCS — Cancer Lead at North Middlesex University Hospital, who manages prostate cancer through the same MDT framework that governs North London's entire NHS urological oncology portfolio — brings that expertise to the Chase Farm campus.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK and among the top three in India. PSA blood test, digital rectal examination, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), and transperineal biopsy confirm diagnosis and Gleason/ISUP grade. Active surveillance suits low-risk disease. Radical prostatectomy (laparoscopic) and radical radiotherapy with hormone therapy treat localised high-risk disease. Hormone therapy (ADT) combined with chemotherapy or novel hormonal agents manages advanced and metastatic disease through specialist MDT. Mr. Godbole is Cancer Lead and MDT Lead at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.
### Older Men and Prostate Cancer — The North Enfield Patient Profile
North Enfield and Hertfordshire's patient demographic includes a higher proportion of men over 65 than inner London, and prostate cancer management in older men requires specific clinical consideration. Active surveillance becomes more appropriate for lower-grade cancers in men over 75 where competing health risks outweigh prostate cancer mortality risk. Conversely, fit men over 70 with high-risk prostate cancer should not be denied radical treatment on age grounds alone — surgical fitness is determined by biological age and comorbidity burden, not chronological age. Mr. Godbole's assessment at Kings Oak Hospital addresses this age-nuanced risk stratification explicitly, avoiding both under-treatment of significant cancers in fit older men and over-treatment of indolent cancers in men whose life expectancy is limited by other conditions.
### Post-Prostatectomy Follow-Up at Kings Oak Hospital — Continuity of Care
For men who have undergone radical prostatectomy — either privately or on the NHS — post-surgical surveillance requires 3-monthly PSA checks in the first year, 6-monthly thereafter for 5 years, and annual checks long-term. A rising PSA after prostatectomy (biochemical recurrence) requires prompt specialist assessment to determine whether the rise represents local recurrence (salvage radiotherapy) or systemic spread (hormone therapy). Mr. Godbole's team at Kings Oak Hospital provides this post-prostatectomy surveillance for North Enfield and Hertfordshire patients — accessible from Potters Bar in 15 minutes without requiring attendance at a Central London cancer centre.
### Travel and Parking Guide – Kings Oak Hospital, Chase Farm
Chase Farm North Side, The Ridgeway, Enfield EN2 8SD. By road from Potters Bar: 15–20 minutes via A10. From Hadley Wood: 10 minutes. From Barnet: 15 minutes via A110. Underground: Cockfosters (Piccadilly Line), 20 minutes walk or taxi. Campus parking available.
Why choose Kings Oak Hospital for prostate cancer?
- Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, and North Enfield men choose Kings Oak Hospital for prostate cancer management because the Chase Farm campus is 10–20 minutes by road — making both the intensive diagnostic phase and the long-term post-treatment surveillance schedule practically manageable.
- Mr. Godbole's age-nuanced risk stratification specifically addresses the older male demographic of North Enfield and Hertfordshire — avoiding both over-treatment of low-risk cancers and under-treatment of significant cancers in fit elderly men.
- Post-prostatectomy PSA surveillance and biochemical recurrence management is available at Kings Oak Hospital — providing continuity of prostate cancer care after surgery without requiring North Enfield and Hertfordshire patients to travel to Central London for follow-up.
Prostate Cancer cost at Kings Oak Hospital
Private consultation: £300 at Kings Oak Hospital. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva. Call +44 (0)7884 183968 for a treatment cost estimate. [INTERNAL LINK → /fees/]
Risk factors for prostate Cancer:
- Older Age
- A family history of prostate cancer
- Obesity
- Genetic Changes
- Race/ethnicity (black males are at a higher risk of prostate cancer)
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:
Prostatic symptoms may be similar for both benign and malignant causes and early urological attention and care would be advisable for some or all symptoms as below:
- Trouble urinating
- Blood in semen
- Decreased size and strength of urine stream
- Discomfort in pelvic area
- Erectile dysfunction
Diagnosis & Staging of Prostate Cancer
Investigation of urinary bother (also called as LUTS or lower urinary tract symptoms) would be organised which would also include testing for potential existence of prostate cancer. In the clinic after a detailed history examination would include a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to delineate the shape, size and texture of the prostate as well as the overlying rectal mucosa. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a blood test which is used as a surrogate tumour marker, but it is also elevated in non-cancerous conditions hence a comprehensive overview in assessment is vital.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Depending on the stage and other pathological parameters individual patients may be recommended various options which may include active surveillance, robotic radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, HIFU. Early detection and appropriate management is vital in long term success.
- Active surveillance
- Robotic radical prostatectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- HIFU
Coming in for your prostate cancer appointment
Kings Oak Hospital serves prostate cancer patients from North Enfield, Chase Farm, Cockfosters, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, Cuffley, New Barnet, Brookmans Park, Waltham Cross, and via M25 from Hertsmere and southern Hertfordshire.
Patient reviews — prostate cancer at Kings Oak Hospital
Thomas Williams
Potters Bar
My PSA had been rising gradually for three years. My Potters Bar GP monitored it but never arranged specialist assessment. At 64 it reached 11 and I came to Kings Oak Hospital. Mr. Godbole's mpMRI showed a PIRADS 5 lesion. Targeted biopsy confirmed Gleason 8 high-risk cancer. Radical prostatectomy with lymph node dissection performed within 5 weeks of first contact. 12-month PSA undetectable. The specialist assessment that my GP had not initiated was the step that made curative treatment possible.
March 2026
Yusuf Okafor
Cockfosters
From Cockfosters to Chase Farm by taxi is 15 minutes. My father is 71 and was diagnosed with Gleason 7 prostate cancer. We sought specialist assessment at Kings Oak Hospital before committing to a treatment plan. Mr. Godbole's age-specific risk assessment was exactly what we needed — he addressed whether my father's age affected the recommendation and concluded that his biological fitness made radical treatment clearly appropriate. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed. Excellent outcome at 12 months.
February 2026
Ingrid Bergstrom
Hadley Wood
My husband had prostatectomy in the US 18 months ago and we have since moved to Hadley Wood. Continuing PSA surveillance near our new home was the practical challenge. Kings Oak Hospital is 10 minutes from Hadley Wood and Mr. Godbole's team has taken over his surveillance seamlessly. The most recent PSA was 0.04 — near undetectable. Having Cancer Lead specialist follow-up locally rather than travelling to Central London every 3 months has been genuinely important for our quality of life.
January 2026
Kevin Murphy
New Barnet
New Barnet to Chase Farm is 15 minutes by road. I had an elevated PSA of 7.8 at age 59. The private assessment at Kings Oak Hospital was faster than anything the NHS pathway would have delivered. mpMRI showing PIRADS 4, targeted biopsy confirming Gleason 7 (4+3), and surgical planning were all completed in 4 weeks. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed. Post-op PSA has been undetectable at every 3-month check since.
March 2026
Sanjay Patel
Chase Farm
Living near Chase Farm means Kings Oak Hospital is my most practical specialist option. My prostate cancer — Gleason 6, Stage T1, PSA 4.2 — qualified for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment. Mr. Godbole's patient explanation of why treatment would cause more harm than benefit for my low-risk cancer changed my perspective entirely. I had expected surgery. Structured active surveillance with 6-monthly PSA monitoring is ongoing and I feel well supported throughout.
February 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can patients from Potters Bar get a private prostate cancer assessment at Kings Oak Hospital quickly?
Yes. From Potters Bar, Kings Oak Hospital is 15–20 minutes by road. Most patients are seen within 3–5 working days of first contact. PSA interpretation, mpMRI arrangement, and staging are typically completed within 2–3 weeks. Treatment planning follows within 4–6 weeks of first contact — significantly faster than the NHS prostate cancer pathway in North London.
I am 72 with a PSA of 8 — is active surveillance appropriate at my age or should I be treated?
This depends on several factors: your Gleason grade (determined by biopsy), the volume of cancer in the biopsy cores, your overall health and life expectancy, and your personal preferences regarding treatment side effects. Active surveillance is appropriate for Gleason 6 (low-risk) cancer regardless of age. For Gleason 7 or higher, the decision in a 72-year-old depends on biological fitness and competing health conditions. Mr. Godbole's assessment at Kings Oak Hospital applies validated decision tools to determine the most appropriate management for your specific combination of age, grade, and health status.
What is biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and when does it require treatment?
Biochemical recurrence (BCR) is defined as a PSA rise of 0.2ng/ml or above on two occasions after radical prostatectomy, where the PSA should be undetectable. BCR affects approximately 20–30% of men after prostatectomy within 10 years. Whether BCR represents local recurrence (where salvage radiotherapy is effective) or systemic spread (where hormone therapy is needed) is determined by the PSA doubling time, time to recurrence, and imaging including PSMA PET-CT. Mr. Godbole's post-prostatectomy surveillance at Kings Oak Hospital identifies BCR early and manages it promptly.
Should men at Kings Oak Hospital also be tested for BRCA mutations if a family member has prostate cancer?
Yes. BRCA2 mutations are associated with aggressive prostate cancer and significantly elevated lifetime risk. Men whose first-degree relatives had prostate cancer, or whose family has a pattern of BRCA-associated cancers (breast, ovarian, pancreatic cancer), should discuss BRCA testing with Mr. Godbole at Kings Oak Hospital. A positive BRCA2 result affects both the screening age (from age 40) and the threshold for proceeding from mpMRI to biopsy for a given PIRADS score.
HRG Urology has two Enfield locations — Kings Oak Hospital and Cavell Hospital. Which is better for prostate cancer?
Both provide the same prostate cancer specialist assessment under Mr. Godbole. Kings Oak Hospital (Chase Farm, EN2 8SD) is better situated for North Enfield, Cockfosters, Potters Bar, and Hertfordshire border patients. Cavell Hospital (Uplands Park Road, EN2 7PR) is better for Enfield Town, Winchmore Hill, and Palmers Green. For post-surgical surveillance, whichever location is more convenient for routine follow-up appointments is the more practical choice. Call +44 (0)7884 183968 and the team will advise based on your postcode.
Risk factors for prostate Cancer:
Older Age A family history of prostate cancer Obesity Genetic Changes Race/ethnicity (black males are at a higher risk of prostate cancer)
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:
Prostatic symptoms may be similar for both benign and malignant causes and early urological attention and care would be advisable for some or all symptoms as below: Trouble urinating Blood in semen Decreased size and strength of urine stream Discomfort in pelvic area Erectile dysfunction
Diagnosis & Staging of Prostate Cancer
Investigation of urinary bother (also called as LUTS or lower urinary tract symptoms) would be organised which would also include testing for potential existence of prostate cancer. In the clinic after a detailed history examination would include a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to delineate the shape, size and texture of the prostate as well as the overlying rectal mucosa. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a blood test which is used as a surrogate tumour marker, but it is also elevated in non-cancerous conditions hence a comprehensive overview in assessment is vital.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Depending on the stage and other pathological parameters individual patients may be recommended various options which may include active surveillance, robotic radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, HIFU. Early detection and appropriate management is vital in long term success. Active surveillance Robotic radical prostatectomy Radiation therapy Hormone therapy HIFU