Keith is a robotic surgery pioneer
RAF veteran Keith Moore described living with prostate cancer as "having an unexploded bomb in your basement".
"There is a 99 per cent chance it will never go bang but if it does go off the consequences are disastrous," he added.
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It was for this reason that the 67-year-old, from Exmouth, decided to go ahead with an operation and earlier this month became one of the first to benefit from robotic surgery at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.
The trust took delivery of its first £2.5m state-of-the-art robotic equipment in late December 2012 and is one of about 20 hospitals in the UK now using robots in complex surgery to target prostate cancers.
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During robot-assisted surgery, the surgeon sits at a remote computer console to operate and control four robotic arms that carries out the guided surgery.
The surgeon watches and guides the whole procedure on a high-definition computer screen with 3D vision.
Mr Moore said he had no qualms about being treated by robots after hearing of the benefits.
He told the Echo: "I was diagnosed three years ago with prostate cancer but was assured it was not terribly aggressive and opted for a wait and see approach.
"Periodically I would go for tests to keep an eye on things but it got to a point in September last year that things had begun to change. I was aware of this new robotic coming down to Exeter so opted for surgery late last year."
Mr Moon went into hospital on February 8 at 7.30am – had the operation at 10.30am, woke up from general anaesthetic at 5.30pm and was discharged the following day.
"Previously the surgery option would have involved a six inch cut in the abdomen and a very long recovery time," he said.
"Now you just have six puncture wounds and a very quick recovery time. Two and a half weeks since the operation I have just walked to the shop to pick up my paper.
"We had no doubt about the robotic surgery once we heard all the reassurances from the hospital. And I definitely have no regrets about doing it. It was more accurate, less obtrusive and has better results."
Last week the Echo reported that the trust had secured a second robot as the RD&E becomes a pioneering research centre into the benefits for surgeons. On Thursday, February 28, a demo robot, complete with computer console, will be located in the main reception of Wonford Hospital in Exeter.
Surgeons will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate how the equipment is used. Visitors will be invited to try out the robot for themselves – on peas rather than patients – and hospital staff and prostate cancer support groups will also be available.
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