Melbourne Urology Centre

Only men have a prostate. It sits below the bladder and in front of the re**um, surrounding the urethra (the tube through which urine and semen pass).

The role of the prostate is to produce most of the fluid that constitutes semen. This fluid enriches and protects the s***m.

It's about the size of a walnut. As a man ages, the prostate may grow, sometimes causing bothersome urinary symptoms. These are not always signs of prostate cancer, but should be bought to the attention of your GP or urologist nonetheless, as they can affect quality of life.

"Breaking Down the Barriers Post-Prostatectomy"

Dr Shahbaz presented to a community of prostate cancer nurses last week, around the topic of erectile dysfunction.

It was a wonderful evening, great food, and a fantastic opportunity to network with colleagues and share knowledge to improve patient outcomes.

Many thanks to Tarsh, Roxy and the team at Coloplast for organising this brilliant evening.

Blood in the urine is called haematuria.

There are many possibly causes of haematuria, so it should always be investigated, even if it is only a single episode that clears up quickly.

Your family doctor will be able to arrange a number of preliminary tests for you, and then refer you to one of our specialist urologists accordingly, for further evaluation and management.

Dr de Sousa was recently invited to be part of an expert panel to discuss his experience with Rezum treatment for BPH.

It was a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with leading international surgeon Professor Richard Hindley (left) who was a visiting guest from the UK.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, so we're reminding men to be proactive about checking themselves for changes down there...

Here's a reminder of how to check your sc***um and te**es. Always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

There are a number of treatment options available for men suffering with the symptoms of BPH. Your urologist will be able to guide you through which options are most suitable for your individual circumstances.

You can read more about BPH symptoms and treatment options on our website

This is general information only.

Our urologists are actively involved in delivering presentations and education events for our GP community.

We value the relationships we have with local doctors and their clinics, which allow our patients the opportunity for the best possible treatment outcomes.

This past weekend, Dr Tony Dr Sousa and Dr Shekib Shahbaz presented to a group of GPs as part of the Men's Health Symposium - a joint initiative between the Victorian Urology Foundation and Victoria Heart.

The event featured a number of presentations from medical experts, as well a display of the latest technologies and innovations in these fields.

It was a wonderful day, full of engaging talks, networking, and great food!

More photos and videos to come!

Meet the Team! (Well most of us!) Left to right, we have Annie, Dr Shahbaz, Diana, Dr de Sousa and Rebecca.

As another working week begins, we hope you are all keeping well, staying active and hydrated, and enjoying the beautiful Melbourne weather!

Our administrative team is ready to greet you and take care of you from the first phone call through to the conclusion of your patient journey with us.

We know how important it is to make sure that you and your family are well informed and supported, so we will always take the time to answer your questions and explain complex medical conditions in simple terms.

The festive season is in full swing 🎄

Here are a few quick tips to make sure you keep your urological health in check over the holidays.

If you'd like to read more, our website blogs have lots of info! To book a consultation with a specialist urologist at Melbourne Urology Centre, please phone our rooms on 1300 702 811 or submit the online contact form.

Happy Monday everyone!

Here's a photo of Dr Shahbaz and Dr de Sousa with the state of the art da Vinci robotic surgical system that you would have learned about in our recent posts.

Should you wish to learn more about it, information can be found on our website. To book a consultation with a specialist urologist at Melbourne Urology Centre, please phone our rooms on 1300 702 811 or submit the online contact form.

👋🏼 Meet Rebecca 👋🏼

Bec is a member of our administrative team here in our Berwick rooms.

We asked Bec a few things about herself and working at MUC, and here's what she's told us:

❔How long have you been working at MUC? Almost 3.5 years now.
❔Do you have a favourite dessert? Anthony chocolate!
❔What’s your favourite holiday destination? Anywhere warm and sunny but Thailand is my favourite.

Robotic-assisted surgery offers both the patient a number of benefits when compared to traditional open surgery.

If you would like to learn more about robotic surgery, click under the 'Procedures' tab on our website (link in our bio!).

👋🏼Have you met Ana?

Ana is a member of our administrative team here in our Berwick rooms.

We asked Ana about herself and working at MUC, and here's what she's told us:

❔What do you enjoy most about working at MUC? Great team environment and very supportive staff.
❔Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work? Fishing, camping, soccer and spending time with my children and grandchildren.
❔What’s your favourite holiday destination? Port Douglas.

What does your surgeon do when they've finished your procedure?
☑️ write up your notes and post-op instructions
☑️ organise any follow-up tests and appointments
☑️ give your family a call to communicate
☑️ wait for you to wake from anaesthesia

In 2022, more than 24,000* men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Knowledge is power, and early detection is key.

The aim of PSA screening is to detect the disease at an early stage, to improve the chances of cure. The test is performed because prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms until it reaches an advanced and often incurable stage.

It is important to note that the PSA test forms only one part of prostate cancer screening; and that there is no 'normal' reading and there can be many reasons for elevated PSA, so levels need to be monitored over time.

If you are experiencing any urinary symptoms or have concerns about the health of your prostate, speak with your urologist or GP today.

*Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

Dr Shekib Shahbaz and Dr Tony de Sousa are ready to tackle the day at our consulting suites! 🏥

Happy Friday, everyone!

Have you met Annie?

Annie is a member of our administrative team here in our Berwick rooms.

We asked Annie about herself and working at MUC, and here's what she's told us:
❔Can you describe your role in 3 words? Rewarding, busy and positive.
❔What do you enjoy most about working at MUC? We have a great team (administrative and doctors) and creating a seamless experience for patients is rewarding.
❔Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work? Exploring new places with my husband & dogs, we have a caravan in Deniliquin, so we try to get up there whenever possible. We enjoy long lunches with our friends and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy pilates.
❔What’s your favourite dessert? I am partial to anything chocolate or salted caramel related.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so we're reminding men to be proactive about their prostate health... But do you know where the prostate gland is and what it does?

Only men have a prostate. It sits below the bladder and in front of the re**um, surrounding the urethra (the tube through which urine and semen pass).

The role of the prostate is to produce most of the fluid that constitutes semen. This fluid enriches and protects the s***m.

It's about the size of a walnut. As a man ages, the prostate may grow, sometimes causing bothersome urinary symptoms. These are not always signs of prostate cancer, but should be bought to the attention of your GP or urologist nonetheless, as they can affect quality of life.

The PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen test) is a blood test that can be used to help to establish a person's individual risk of prostate cancer.

The aim of PSA screening is to detect the disease at an early stage, to improve the chances of cure. The test is performed because prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms until it reaches an advanced and often incurable stage.

It is important to note that the PSA test forms only one part of prostate cancer screening; and that there is no 'normal' reading and there can be many reasons for elevated PSA (such as infection or inflammation), so levels need to be monitored over time.

If you are experiencing any urinary symptoms or have concerns about the health of your prostate, speak with your urologist or GP today.

You can learn more at https://melbourneurologycentre.com.au/prostate-specific-antigen-psa-screening-test/

Melbourne Urology Centre We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, personalised, patient-focused, specialist care.

If you've visited our rooms, you will have met our lovely administrative team 🌼

Annie, Bec, Ana and Diana are here to help; from booking your initial consultation, through to helping you arrange required tests, prepare for surgery, or answer any questions that you have, they are here to make your patient experience amazing!

Our team takes great pride in our compassionate and approachable nature.

We know how important it is to make sure that you and your family are well informed throughout the duration of your patient journey with us, and so we will always take the time to answer your questions and explain complex medical conditions in simple terms.

Just like our clinic plants, our urinary tract needs water to stay healthy too!

💧 drinking plenty of water helps kidneys efficiently filter waste and toxins from the blood, promoting overall kidney health
💧 proper hydration helps prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones by flushing out bacteria and diluting the urine
💧 plenty of water reduces the risk of bladder irritation and inflammation
💧 after having a procedure, staying hydrated aids in healing and helps to prevent complications
💧 good hydration supports healthy bowel movements, indirectly benefiting urinary tract health, too!

Dr Shekib Shahbaz recently presented to a group of teenagers from around the globe.

His presentation was part of the Annual International Robotic Conference SRS. It was designed to inform teenagers about surgical innovations and the vision for the future.

The students had the opportunity to engage with leading robotic surgeons and learn hands-on surgical skills.

You can read more about presentations, interviews and media publications MUC's urologists have given here https://melbourneurologycentre.com.au/media-links/

Please speak to your GP or urologist if you are experiencing symptoms of BPH. There are a number of treatment options available.

You can read more about BPH and the treatment options available here: https://melbourneurologycentre.com.au/benign-prostate-hyperplasia-bph/

Haematuria may be macroscopic or microscopic.
👁Macroscopic = visible with the naked eye.
🔬Microscopic = visible on urinalysis, but not with the naked eye.

Haematuria should always be investigated, as it can be a sign of serious health issues.

Dr Shekib was recently invited to attend the Pe**le Implant and Andrology Masterclass in London at University College London Hospital with experts and thought leaders from around the world.

Pictured here with Dr Justin Chee.

Dr Shahbaz is an expert in robotic-assisted surgical procedures.

If you'd like to learn more about the Da Vinci Robot, you can look under 'Procedures' on our website www.melbourneurologycentre.com.au

Should you wish to book a consultation with a specialist urologist at Melbourne Urology Centre, please phone our rooms on 1300 702 811 or submit the online contact form.

Happy Nurses Day 🩺 to all the dedicated and compassionate nurses out there!

Your unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of others is truly inspiring.

Thank you for all that you do, every day, to make a difference in the lives of your patients.

You are heroes in scrubs!

Pictures are some of our amazing theatre nurses here at St John of God Hospital in Berwick.