The (hidden) world of prostate cancer
In the 11 years that I have worked as a communications advisor at De Issuemakers, I have become accustomed to immersing myself in the subject in question, or rather: in the issue, with each new project. This was also the case a few months ago, when it turned out that I could do a project in the field of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, a subject that is quite far removed from me as a woman in my mid-30s. I have an uncle with prostate cancer, so that was the only common ground.
When I started reading up, one thing immediately became clear to me: we are talking about the largest type of cancer in men. It's actually surprising that I know so little about this. Breast cancer and cervical cancer feel much more familiar to me.
During the project, my premonition turned out to be correct: there is little talk about prostate cancer because the subject is taboo. Most men feel embarrassed when it comes to prostate problems, while women talk about breast exams and pap smears with great ease. Research conducted for this project even shows that 56% of men between the ages of 45-75 are not well aware of symptoms and complaints that may indicate prostate cancer. And more than half of the men do not talk about it in their immediate environment. While 2,600 men in the Netherlands die from prostate cancer every year.
The more I learned about the subject, the more important I began to find my mission: creating more attention and awareness for prostate cancer. More knowledge and awareness also turned out to be the motivation for Jan Keizer (BZN), who wanted to be an ambassador for this campaign and calls on men to talk more about prostate problems. He himself has had prostate cancer and thinks it is very important that men are well informed. A lack of knowledge and information should not be the problem. Every man should know that from the age of 50e are at increased risk for prostate cancer. Every man should also know that there are ways to check your PSA value. If this blood value is elevated, this may indicate prostate cancer and further investigation is necessary. If men do not know that this is possible, because they do not talk about it with each other, for example, then they will not test it. While prostate cancer is generally easy to treat if you catch it early.
This week is Prostate Week and I am very happy that Shownieuws, for example, has a good one item has broadcast on this subject. That makes working for De Issuemakers so interesting; Sometimes worlds open up for you. If you would like to read more about this subject, visit www.praatoverprostaat.nl
