riginally published: 2021 | Updated: March 2026
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Medically reviewed on: March 20th 2025. Mr Raj Nigam Consultant Urologist MBBS, FRCS, FRCS (Urol), FEBU, MD. GMC: 3265226
Authors: Ms Clare Delmar. The Focal Therapy Clinic
At a Glance
Partners play a vital role in navigating prostate cancer treatment decisions — often discovering options like focal therapy that doctors may not initially present. In this interview, patient advocate Jackie Reubin shares how her research led husband Barry to HIFU treatment (NICE-approved under IPG424) at The Focal Therapy Clinic, with Mr Raj Nigam, Consultant Urological Surgeon — resulting in no side effects and a full return to normal life.
Key takeaways:
- Partners as advocates — Jackie discovered HIFU through her own research after doctors recommended only active surveillance or radical treatments
- Age should not be a barrier — the couple felt dismissed because Barry was over 70, despite being active and wanting treatment
- HIFU preserved quality of life — Barry experienced no urinary or sexual side effects, consistent with FTC outcomes showing 97% continence preservation (FTC audit, n=265)
- Diagnosis delays cause harm — over six weeks of waiting for results caused severe anxiety, ultimately contributing to a secondary health condition
- Second opinions matter — seeking a second opinion led the couple to a treatment option their original consultant never mentioned
Jackie Reubin: A Partner’s Journey Through Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
When Barry Reubin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 at age 70, his wife Jackie became his strongest advocate — researching treatment options, challenging age discrimination, and ultimately discovering HIFU focal therapy (NICE-approved under IPG424) at The Focal Therapy Clinic. Barry was treated by Mr Raj Nigam, Consultant Urological Surgeon (FRCS(Urol), GMC: 3265226), and experienced no side effects — consistent with FTC outcomes showing 97% urinary continence preservation (FTC audit, n=265).
In this OnFocus podcast interview, Jackie shares the emotional realities of supporting a partner through prostate cancer, the importance of seeking second opinions, and why partners should never accept being dismissed because of age.
Watch Barry and Jackie’s video story
How Has Barry Recovered After HIFU Focal Therapy?
Barry Reubin experienced no urinary or sexual side effects following HIFU focal therapy (NICE-approved under IPG424) at The Focal Therapy Clinic — returning fully to normal life after treatment by Mr Raj Nigam, Consultant Urological Surgeon (FRCS(Urol), GMC: 3265226). In our clinic’s experience, 97% of men maintain urinary continence and 90%+ preserve sexual function after focal therapy (FTC audit, n=265).
“Oh, absolutely brilliant. No side effects. Absolutely nothing. Absolutely back to normal. We can’t believe it because having spoken to so many other friends who’ve had it and who are still suffering side effects, Barry has nothing. And we’re just so grateful.”
A video of Jackie and her husband Barry
Jackie contrasts Barry’s outcome with friends who underwent other treatments and continue to experience side effects. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, yet many men and their partners are unaware that focal therapy offers the possibility of treating the cancer while preserving quality of life.
What Was the Emotional Impact of Barry’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?
A prostate cancer diagnosis affects the whole family — not just the patient. For Barry and Jackie Reubin, who had already faced multiple cancers, a stem cell transplant, and the loss of a child, the diagnosis brought overwhelming anxiety compounded by diagnostic delays that stretched over six weeks. Barry experienced depression during the diagnostic process, and the prolonged stress later contributed to a secondary health condition (Graves’ disease).
“When he was first diagnosed, it was ‘oh no, another cancer. How long have we got left?’ Barry became terribly depressed. We really didn’t know which way to turn.”
The couple waited over six weeks for a definitive diagnosis — even through private healthcare. Jackie describes the frustration of a fragmented process: test, wait for appointment, receive results, schedule next test, wait again.
“Terrible, terrible anxiety. After Barry had been treated for the prostate cancer, he was diagnosed with Graves’ disease — an overactive thyroid. He was told it was probably caused by trauma. We believe that was the trauma that caused this other problem.”
At The Focal Therapy Clinic, our consultants aim to streamline the diagnostic pathway. An initial consultation typically includes a review of existing MRI and biopsy results, with a clear treatment recommendation often provided in a single appointment — reducing the anxiety of prolonged waiting.
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How Did Jackie Find HIFU When Doctors Did Not Recommend It?
Many men with localised prostate cancer are not told about focal therapy options such as HIFU (NICE-approved under IPG424). Jackie Reubin discovered HIFU through her own research after Barry’s original consultant presented only hormone therapy, radical surgery, or active surveillance — none of which the couple found acceptable given Barry’s previous cancer treatments and their desire to preserve quality of life.
“When we were faced with the treatments he could have, we were never told about HIFU. I found it by sheer determination and research, and that’s how I overcome all the things that we have to do — by research. Thank goodness for the internet.”
Jackie’s experience is not uncommon. Many patients referred to The Focal Therapy Clinic have discovered focal therapy through their own research or through a second opinion. In our clinic’s experience with over 2,000 procedures, HIFU focal therapy treats the cancer while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue — with 90%+ of men maintaining sexual function and 97% maintaining urinary continence (FTC audit, n=265).
Is Age Discrimination a Problem in Prostate Cancer Care?
Age should not determine whether a man receives effective prostate cancer treatment. Jackie and Barry felt dismissed because Barry was over 70 — told that prostate cancer would not be what killed him and that treatment was unnecessary. This attitude, which Jackie has encountered repeatedly among friends in similar positions, can deny men years of active, healthy life.
“Once you reach that seven zero, that’s your life — that’s your three score years and ten and anything over that, you’re lucky. We don’t feel we’re old. We feel we’re very young and we feel we’ve got a lot of life left in us. We don’t want to be cast off.”
At The Focal Therapy Clinic, our consultants assess every patient individually based on clinical factors, not age alone. HIFU focal therapy is a day-case outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time — 85% of men return to work within two weeks — making it particularly well-suited for older men who want effective treatment without prolonged recovery.
Partners are affected too. Jackie emphasises that prostate cancer impacts the whole couple: “We’re a pair. We’re a couple. What affects him and his mood is going to affect me, too.” Partners should be included in consultations and treatment discussions from the outset.
What Were Barry’s Side Effects After Focal Therapy?
Barry experienced no significant side effects after HIFU focal therapy at The Focal Therapy Clinic. For the Reubins, urinary continence was the most important outcome — and Barry maintained full bladder control. In our clinic’s audit of 265 patients, 97% of men maintained urinary continence and 90%+ preserved sexual function following focal therapy.
“For us, one of the biggest problems was the bladder. I think Barry would have been absolutely mortified if he didn’t have bladder control, which I can thankfully say he has.”
| Outcome | HIFU Focal Therapy (FTC data) | Radical Prostatectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary continence | 97% (FTC audit, n=265) | 80-95% |
| Sexual function preserved | 90%+ | 30-70% |
| Recovery time | 1-2 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Hospital stay | Day-case (home same day) | 1-3 nights |
| NICE status | Approved (IPG424) | Standard care |
Source: FTC one-year outcome audit (n=265) and published literature
Source: FTC one-year outcome audit (n=265) and published literature
What Was the Consultation Experience with Mr Raj Nigam?
Mr Raj Nigam, Consultant Urological Surgeon (FRCS(Urol), GMC: 3265226), took a whole-person approach to Barry’s assessment — addressing both the clinical question of cancer treatment and the couple’s broader quality-of-life concerns. When initial MRI assessment raised suitability concerns due to the tumour’s position within the prostate, Mr Nigam consulted with a specialist radiologist and confirmed that treatment could proceed.
“He gave us such confidence and we were so excited to be able to have this treatment. Once we’d met him, that’s all we wanted to do. There was no thought of going any other route whatsoever. I felt as though I’ve known him always.”
Why Is Active Surveillance Not Always the Right Choice?
Active surveillance is an appropriate choice for some men with low-risk localised prostate cancer, but it is not right for every patient. Barry’s original consultant recommended active surveillance purely based on his age — over 70 — rather than on clinical factors or patient preference. Jackie found this approach unacceptable.
“I wanted to get it gone, get rid of it. I didn’t want it sitting there. Cancers grow and you get them out of your body.”
At The Focal Therapy Clinic, our consultants discuss all treatment options — including the benefits and limitations of active surveillance, focal therapy, and radical treatments — so that patients and their partners can make fully informed decisions. For men who find that active surveillance becomes anxious surveillance, focal therapy can offer a middle ground: effective cancer treatment with minimal side effects and rapid recovery.
What Is Jackie’s Advice for Women and Partners?
Jackie’s message to other partners supporting men with prostate cancer is clear: do your own research, seek second opinions, and do not accept being dismissed because of age. Her determination to explore every treatment option led Barry to HIFU focal therapy — a NICE-approved treatment (IPG424) that his original consultant never mentioned.
“I would tell them to research and research until they find the HIFU, and hope that they were a candidate for it like Barry was. I just don’t want other people to have to go through what we went through.”
Key Steps for Partners Supporting Men with Prostate Cancer
- Research all treatment options — including focal therapy, which is often not mentioned by the initial consultant
- Seek a second opinion — a fresh perspective can reveal options you were not told about
- Challenge age-based assumptions — treatment decisions should be based on clinical factors, fitness, and patient preference — not age alone
- Attend consultations together — partners bring different questions and perspectives that improve decision-making
- Ask about side effects in detail — understand the impact on continence, sexual function, and recovery time for each treatment option
Watch Barry and Jackie’s full video story: Barry & Jackie’s Story
If you or your partner has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would like to explore all treatment options, contact The Focal Therapy Clinic on 020 7036 8870 or book a consultation. Our consultants see patients at seven UK locations and will provide a comprehensive assessment within days, not weeks.
