But in fact Leeds pioneered this innovative treatment in the UK more than 10 years ago.

Now the latest results of patient monitoring over this time have shown just how effective brachytherapy is at curing prostate cancer.

The figures show the cure rate for patients treated at the earliest stage of the illness is about 85 per cent.

And survival rates are 98 per cent after five years and 95 per cent after 10 years, showing the treatment is as effective as surgery.

Surgery for prostate cancer is much more invasive, meaning longer recovery time and greater risk of serious side effects.

Dr David Bottomley, consultant in clinical oncology at the St James's Institute of Oncology in Leeds, joined the city's brachytherapy team in 1996.

"In 1995 some of my colleagues went over to Seattle in the US where this procedure had been done for five or six years," he said.

"They were the first people to do the procedure in the UK later that year."

During the treatment tiny radioactive metal seeds are implanted into the prostate at the site of the cancer, with ultrasound used to put them in exactly the right place.

"It is very focused on the prostate and cuts collateral damage to the other areas," Dr Bottomley added.

Radioactivity

"It's a one-off procedure that takes about an hour and local patients can often go home that evening."

The metal seeds gradually lose their radioactivity and then remain harmlessly in the body.

Although not all patients are suitable, for the ones that are the 10-year results for the treatment are very good.

"Now I have got patients who had the treatment over 10 years ago, we know it definitely does work and that is very satisfying, Dr Bottomley said.

"I know when I treat somebody today I can be quite confident that they will do well in the long run and it's nice to be able to relay that to patients."

Mike Wigelsworth, from Ossett, was one of the first patients to have the treatment in Leeds.

Aged 54 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his options were radical surgery, radiotherapy or the then brand-new brachytherapy.

He decided to try the new treatment because of the smaller risks attached.

"I was in hospital overnight," he said.

"The oncology people at Cookridge Hospital were superb. They gave me every support."

Mr Wigelsworth, a retired art teacher, had regular tests for the next 10 years which were clear and now no longer has to have them.

"I do owe a lot to the NHS. I benefited from their pioneering work."