Let’s Talk About Prostate Cancer
Let’s talk about prostate cancer – YouTube
Cultural taboos and misconceptions around prostate cancer can prevent Black men from being diagnosed and treated early. Black men with prostate cancer, living in south east London, have teamed up with students at the London College of Communication to develop a series of thought-provoking animations to encourage conversations about the disease.
The animations are narrated by the patients who have shared their experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The individuals spoke about their experience of testing, fears of prostate cancer and attitudes towards cancer screening in the Black community.
The series aims to support Black communities to have open conversations about the risk of Black men developing prostate cancer and the importance of getting tested.
In the UK, one in eight men will get prostate cancer. However, it’s even more common in Black men – with one in four being diagnosed with the condition in their lifetime.
The animations address this health disparity by highlighting cancer myths and cultural taboos that can prevent Black men from speaking to their GP about their risk of prostate cancer and getting diagnosed early.
The NHS recommends that Black men over the age of 45 speak to their GP about their risk of prostate cancer, even if people are not experiencing symptoms.
The animations were commissioned and funded by the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA), in collaboration with the London College of Communication and Partnership Southwark. The project forms part of a wider programme of work in south east London to improve early diagnosis in cancer and patients’ experience of care.
The students were given access to patient interviews that were recorded by SELCA and the charity Macmillan Cancer Support. The students at the London College of Communication developed the animations based on these testimonials.
The South East London Cancer Alliance and the London College of Communications are encouraging Black men to discuss the increased risk they face with friends or family members and speak to their GP. Healthcare professionals, community centres and barbershops across south east London and beyond are also being asked to share the animations and encourage Black men to speak to their GP about their risk of prostate cancer, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
The ten-part series, aims to support Black communities to have open conversations about the risk of Black men developing prostate cancer and the importance of getting tested.
