Data suggests that men are not aware of health promotion surrounding checking themselves or signs of male cancer. There is low awareness for penile, testicular, and prostate cancers1. Working in urology we are aware that males are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder and renal cancers than females, for numerous reasons, risk taking behaviours2(smoking an example), working environment, obesity, alcohol intake are others. Awareness campaigns are run by the charities to raise awareness of ‘male’ cancers; Movember in November, along with European Association of Urology (EUA) on the 17th November, Orchid in September, Prostate Cancer UK have just started their awareness campaign ‘March the Month’.

Usually as a team we shy away from male campaigns as we do not like to discriminate against individuals who do not identify as male. However, you identify, cancer will not care!Cancer is not interested in gender identity or culture or age. If you have those bits this still will affect you so, please read on.Testicular cancer usually affects males between the age of 13 – 45, however, as previously stated cancer does not care about mutating in bodies older or younger than this common range. Prostate cancer normally affects those over the age of 60, again we know that sadly some men are much younger, with a small minority being under the age of 40! With regards to penile cancer the highest rates are within older males, over 75 years, yet over the past decade penile cancer cases have risenby about 7%, with incidence rates greater in the most deprived areas of the UK3.

Data would suggest that while prostate cancer gains several hits and interest, testicular cancer does not4. We need new approaches to increase male and public interest and awareness of male cancers.

References

1Collier, T., Smith, S., Greenwood, M. and Ng, K. (2020) Living with Advanced Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer and Treatment with Abiraterone and Androgen Deprivation Therapy: The Patient, Nursing and Physician Perspective. (2020) Oncology and Therapy. Available online at: https://www.bing.com/search?q=Collier%2C+T.%2C+Smith%2C+S.%2C+Greenwood%2C+M.+and+Ng%2C+K.+(2020)+Living+with+Advanced+Hormone-Sensitive+Prostate+Cancer+and+Treatment+with+Abiraterone+and+Androgen+Deprivation+Therapy%3A+The+Patient%2C+Nursing+and+Physician+Perspective.+(2020)+Oncology+and+Therapy.&cvid=10039f9f2852435b81c7c1f0a0a88714&pglt=547&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=HCTS

2Saab, M., Reidy, M., Hegarty, J., O’Mahony, M., Murphy, M., Von Wagner, C. and Drummond, F. (2017) Men’s information-seeking behavior regarding cancer risk and screening: A meta-narrative -systematic review. Psycho-Oncology. 27 (2): 410-419.

3Cancer Research UK (2018) Penile cancer statistics. Available online at: Penile cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK

4Patel, M., Halpern, J., Desai, A., Keeter, M., Bennett, N. and Brannigan, R. (2020) Success of Prostate and Testicular Cancer Awareness Campaigns Compared to Breast Cancer Awareness Month According to Internet Search Volumes: A Googles Trends Analysis. Urology. 139: 64-70.

Question 1: What do you think stops men seeking advice?

Question 2: How can we improve male access to services? 

Question 3: Are there emotional / social factors that prevent males seeking support?

Question 4: Can we improve barriers to healthcare for men?

Question 5: How can we engage men to talk about healthcare? 

Uro-onc Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team

Michelle Greenwood graduated from City University in 2008 and worked on a solid oncology ward at St Bart’s until 2010, moving into district nursing for 6 months after that. Then Michelle moved into a research sister role for urology oncology for 3 years followed by 7 months working in an Ocular Melanoma CNS role. In 2014 Michelle moved into the Uro-Onc CNS role taking over from Wendy Ansell, the first Macmillan Uro-Onc CNS in England. Within this role is an attached lead cancer Teenage, Young Adult (TYA) CNS role, as the germ cell practice incorporates 19 to 25 year olds, who may have additional care needs. Holds numerous courses including Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning and is due to start her MSc.

Shievon Smith graduated from London Southbank University 2002. Worked 6/12 on infection control ward at Whipps Cross Hospital then moved to Accident and Emergency on a staff nurse development programme late 2002. Gained her ‘E’ grade, then spent 2 years working for the Royal College of Nursing as an Assistant Officer at London region, then went back to A&E. In 2013 changed career to Urology then Uro-oncology in 2014. Graduated from The Royal Marsden school (UEA) in 2017 with a BSc (Hons) in Cancer Care. Joined St Bart’s to care of metastatic Uro-Onc patients later that same year.

Daniel Richardson graduated from University of Hertfordshire with a Psychology BSc in 2013. Then changed direction into nursing graduating from City University in 2017. Began his career at The Royal Marsden on a private male ward caring for surgical patients for urology and GI, caring for patients post bladder and prostate surgery, including pelvic exenterations. June 2020 joined the St Bart’s team to transition from surgical to metastatic Uro-Onc patient centred care, in a CNS training post.