The 'Prostate Story' educational campaign is aimed at prostate cancer patients and their families and is organised by the Onkocafe Foundation - Together Better.
The aim of the campaign is to provide clear information on:
- risk of prostate cancer,
- possible ways of detecting the disease
- disease symptoms,
- available treatment methods
- guidance to the patient and his female relative
The statistics are alarming, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Unhappily, the causes of this disease are not precisely known and, moreover, prostate cancer in its early stages does not cause any symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to recognise this disease as early as possible, as this offers a good chance of a full cure.
The word 'cancer' brings with it anxiety. Talking about the diagnosis is often confusing. Patients try to find their way in a new situation, but often do not know how to talk about the illness. Women, too, understandably often get lost and don't know how to be a strong support for a loved one diagnosed with prostate cancer. We hope that through our campaign, men and women alike will find a wealth of practical tips," noted the foundation's president, Anna Kupiecka, "After all, the course of this disease and its significance, reminds me of the situation of women struggling with breast cancer. Cancer diseases increasingly affect our closest ones - family, people close to us. The disease appears suddenly and without warning, throwing the patient and his or her loved ones into the 'deep end', with no lifebelt, no guidance as to how to swim to shore. Cancer is still a taboo subject. The campaign and its visual nature are intended to help disenchant it.
As part of the "Prostate History" campaign, a website was created www.prostatahistoria.plillustrated by Łukasz Oborzelski, visitors to the site will find factual descriptions of the causes and symptoms of the disease, methods of diagnosis, treatment and peer support. Visitors can also ask questions to experts in psycho-oncology Adrianna Sobol, M.D., and oncologist Bartosz Itrych, M.D., who also oversaw the project's content.
Also involved in the project were clinical oncologist Dr. Jakub Żołnierek, M.D., or the co-founder and president of the Association of Men with Prostate Cancer "Gladiator" - Mr Tadeusz Włodarczyk, who took part in the programme "About cancer with coffee" on Radio Polska Live, where the topic of prostate diseases was discussed.
The campaign partners are the Ineo Psychological Support Centre, the Alivia Foundation and the project was supported by the Janssen company.