Latvian organisation’s activities tell men when to go to a doctor

The Latvian prostate cancer patient organisation organised Movember Latvia activities to inform men about when they should go to a doctor and what to do if they found they had cancer. During the month, the Movember Latvia messages gained a high profile in the media and at sporting events.

As the month started, Helmuts Bēķis, a board member of the prostate organisation in Latvia, was interviewed during one of the breaks in the hockey game between Dinamo Riga and Lokomotiv Jaroslavl. The following day, board members and doctors again spoke about prostate cancer at a press conference in the city centre. One of the sponsors for the press conference was the company Husqvarna, whose motto for men is “Check your tools”.

On 21st November there was a discussion meeting involving the urologic association, patients and media on the subject of “What to do next when you find out that you have a cancer”. On same day there was a Movember Latvija bus ride through Riga city. The message was: “Health should always be most important, so supporting the Movember Latvia movement we invite loving men – fathers, brothers, sons – to remind you to check and take care of your health.”

Other activities included talks about prostate cancer at sports clubs, a drive to get men to have PSA tests and a Movember triathlon during which well-known Latvian men could complete with sponsor teams in table games.

The Latvian prostate cancer patient organisation placed articles in around 20 publications raising awareness of prostate cancer. They spoke to the Alliance of Mens’ Health about the issue and will continue to raise awareness during the coming year. Information provided by Izabella Pawlowska, Europa Uomo’s Prostate Cancer Patient Officer based in Warsaw.

Information provided by Izabella Pawlowska, Europa Uomo’s Prostate Cancer Patient Officer based in Warsaw