Survey
How much does the average man know about Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE)? Why do you actually need the prostate and what is its function? The theme of Urology Week, which was held from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September 2019, was based on these two questions. To kick off Urology Week, the EAU (in collaboration with Boston Scientific) conducted an international survey to test men’s knowledge of the prostate. The results of the survey were startling.
The survey, which assessed knowledge of the prostate in 3010 men over 50 years old in the UK, Germany, and France, found that just one in four men (26%) are able to correctly identify the prostate’s main function. Many respondents assumed that enlarged prostate and its symptoms are a normal aspect of the ageing process.
Commenting on these findings, Professor Hein Van Poppel, Adjunct Secretary General of the EAU, explains, “The results are worrying, especially as the survey targeted men in the age group that are most likely to suffer from prostate-related conditions, such as prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate. The incidence of these conditions and their impact on medical practice is only going to become greater due to the ageing population, so we must ensure that men are well informed to enable quick consultation and treatment if required.” The complete findings were made available via press releases in eight languages on www.urologyweek.org.
Campaign posters
To help raise awareness for BPE and what can be done to treat the disorder, the EAU created a series of campaign posters with various messages about the prostate. In addition to them being in English, they were also produced in nine other European languages: German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian, Bulgarian, Maltese, Polish and Turkish.
Activities
High levels of enthusiasm and creativity were demonstrated in the number and variety of events which were designed and hosted for Urology Week. Symposiums, open clinics, marathons, free health screenings, festivals, expositions and press conferences were among the 17 various activities which were hosted in Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
You and your organisation can also help raise awareness of urological disorders. Visit the website www.urologyweek.org to see photos of this year’s activities and learn more about the upcoming Urology Week campaign in 2020.
