Every September, the importance of global urological health comes to the forefront through two European initiatives: Urology Awareness Month (UAM) and Urology Week . These events aim to raise awareness, foster understanding, and prompt preventive action. Let's dive into what each initiative entails and why this year's focus on incontinence is especially crucial.
Urology Awareness Month Initiated by The Urology Foundation out of the UK in 2014, UAM is an annual campaign aiming to raise awareness of various urological diseases, ranging from prostate and bladder cancers to conditions like UTIs and incontinence. By bringing together professionals, patients, and the general public, UAM creates a collaborative platform dedicated to education, support, and action.
Urology Week Urology Week, which lasts between September 24th through the 30th, is an initiative by the European Association of Urology (EAU) , that similarly focuses on building awareness about urological conditions among the broader public. With discussions, insights into new technologies, and shared experiences, Urology Week emphasizes that early diagnosis is crucial, with the adage: "Prevention is better than cure."
This year’s spotlight: Bladder Health and Incontinence. This year, the overarching theme of Urology Awareness Month focuses on bladder health, emphasizing urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder cancer, and notably, urinary incontinence, which is also the focus of Urology Week.
Here are the facts from the UK and EU that these organizations share respectively:
1 in 3 women over the age of 35 and 1 in 4 men over the age of 40 and experience incontinence. Over two-thirds of these individuals don’t seek the necessary treatment. Those not seeking support for their incontinence symptoms can end up spending 2.7 times more than those who actively address their condition early on. Unfortunately, a combination of stigma and lack of awareness are key drivers for the lack of action.
Awareness is the starting point, but understanding and timely action drive real change. If you or someone you know faces urological concerns, diving deeper into urinary symptoms and data can provide invaluable insights, which can lead to a better grasp of one's condition, facilitating faster and more effective treatment pathways.
Seek information and consult with healthcare professionals if there is any concern. Early detection is crucial.
In Conclusion Both UAM and Urology Week present a significant opportunity for change—promoting understanding, erasing stigmas, and advocating for proactive health decisions. Let's use this time to champion better urological health for all.
If you're interested in exploring ways for early detection and helping patients who are hesitant to share more about their condition - we'd love to get in touch to see how we can help.
