Turning Awareness Into Action

In an exclusive conversation, Lora Bogoeva , Communications Director at SanaClis , sits down with the founders of the nonprofit organization Zdravie v Hrsti. Matej Ribansky Jakub Ribansky Samuel Ribansky .

This Slovakian-based organization is dedicated to raising awareness about testicular cancer, a disease often overlooked but with a high survival rate if detected early. In this Q&A session with SanaClis, the founders discuss their inspiration, the impact of their initiatives, the importance of partnerships, and the challenges they face in breaking the stigma around this critical health issue.

Q: What inspired your organization to focus on testicular cancer awareness and prevention, and what impact have you seen so far in your efforts?

A: Two of our founding members are patients, who took great interest in the disease following their respective diagnoses following detailed consultations with their oncologists on the subject. Simultaneously, we realized that the awareness about this particular form of cancer, as well as about its early symptoms, treatment options, and even survival rates was extremely low:?in Slovakia as well as across Europe. Only 1 in 20 men will have been advised by their GP (or urologist)? about this disease in Slovakia according to our patient survey. Less than 5%?were?taught how to properly self-examine to ensure early detection.?Our aim is clearly to at least flip these numbers around having 95% awareness about both the disease and self-examination.

Q: Do you believe partnerships like the one with SanaClis are crucial in spreading awareness and preventing testicular cancer?

A: We do not only believe, but are convinced that partnerships like the one with SanaClis are crucial to raise awareness about and improve the outcomes of testicular cancer. The reason is two-fold. First, partnering with renowned healthcare players like SanaClis, we are able to spread awareness far and wide?owing to SanaClis′ broad network of doctors, research companies, partners, and followers. Second, thanks to the generous financial support from SanaClis, we are able to undertake countless more actions that will help save young men's lives in the future. For example, we procured?dummies/models for self-testing, which will be provided at each major event to properly learn and test the self-examination routine not only for men, but also for their spouses and partners.

Q: What are some of the most common misconceptions about testicular cancer that you aim to address through your initiatives?

A: There are way too many to address. However, if we were to choose two, these would be: i) that you cannot have children after being diagnosed with and treated for testicular cancer and ii) that patients cannot do anything to prevent the consequences of this diagnosis. On the first point, testicular cancer, when caught early, is treated with procedures that very much help preserve fertility. In fact, our oncologists always tell us that one of the best parts of their job is meeting patients years after the completion of their treatment and being shown the former patient's newly born children.

The key, however, is to catch the disease early

Which brings us to the second point - that there is nothing we can do to prevent rather dire consequences of the diagnosis. This could not be further from the truth. Given the nature of the disease, it can often be caught very early through simple self-examination that should take place once a month. Our website, www.zdravievhrsti.sk?offers a comprehensive manual on how to self-examine. It then becomes every man's responsibility to self-examine and catch the disease early. We also plan to introduce the website in the ENG language in due course, considering that the low awareness about the testicular cancer is a Europe-wide issue.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge in getting people to talk openly about testicular cancer, and how can we overcome it together?

A: Even today, testicular cancer is highly stigmatized. Afterall, we are talking about a very sensitive part of the body?and within a sensitive age category of men usually between 15-30 years old. The best way to overcome it together is to tirelessly communicate the extremely good prognosis of the disease when caught early?(over 99% survival rate if caught very early!), methods of catching the disease early (simple self-examination!), and showcasing that even as former patients, we are able to live incredibly fulfilling lives, meet our ambitious life goals, and, not to forget, start our own families!?

Our objective is to elevate the awareness of testicular cancer to a level comparable to the substantial public recognition and understanding achieved for breast cancer.

We are talking here about an extremely sensitive group of young men, risking, potentially due to low awareness and stigmatization, their health, possibility to live a fulfilling life, have children/families and overall becoming dependent on the social welfare, if substantial medical treatment is required to tackle the disease. A major challenge is also bring all parties (healthcare companies / doctors / insurances / state apparatus) on board in this initiative to have all ends covered and with all parties working towards one goal of bridging the current gap – proactive and subject-focused #NGOs such as Zdravie v Hrsti are crucial in these efforts.

?Q: What message would you like to share with our audience about the importance of early detection and how they can play a role in raising awareness?

A: Testicular cancer is a disease of young men. But with early detection has a survival rate of 95-99%. Key to early detection? Self-examination at least once a month and knowing your body in general (e.g. long-term lower back pain symptoms can also be a sign and should be reported to the specialist). And when you feel any discomfort, immediately visit a doctor?(ideally an urologist which should provide you with preferential appointment). There is no shame in taking care of your #health and in this case, it can be literally life-saving.

Afterall, your health is in your hands!