Česky
In recent years, several initiatives have emerged to try to convince people of the benefits of cancer prevention. Some of them are based on established actions from abroad, which are original and often originated by people who had to hear such a diagnosis themselves.
A large part of these activities are aimed at the younger age groups, where the incidence of cancer, although lower, is increasing every year. It is thanks to prevention and modern medicine that there is a greater chance of a cure every year.
Flower Day
The Czech Day Against Cancer is the oldest fundraiser in the Czech Republic and has been held since 1997. In May, thousands of volunteers sell yellow flowers in front of metro stations or on the streets. The aim is to inform people about cancer prevention through the media and leaflets and to raise funds for the fight against cancer by selling marigold flowers.
Over the years, the May fundraising days have become the most famous fundraising event in our country. Last year, for the first time, over 20 million crowns were raised. The money goes towards prevention, improving the quality of life of cancer patients and supporting the equipment of cancer centres.
Loono
The Loono organisation focuses on prevention among young people. It was founded five years ago by Kateřina Vacková, a young medical student who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 22. Thanks to early prevention, it was caught and cured in time. Loono's activities target younger women who are not yet eligible for screening. The workshops, which have already reached around 80,000 people, teach young women and men how to screen themselves regularly.
Loono has run two major campaigns: #prsakoule and Live by Heart. The former focused on breast and testicular cancer prevention, the latter on cardiovascular disease.
Movember
In November, many men grow a symbolic moustache to draw attention to the dangers of prostate, testicular and bladder cancer. The international awareness campaign Movember, which started in 2003, is also active in the Czech Republic. Its partner is the Men Against Cancer Foundation. Since its inception, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men's health projects around the world. The most visible one is the possibility of taking a small blood sample free of charge in hospitals to detect the threat of prostate and testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men.
Doctors from our sister hospital in Hořovice have also supported the Movember movement. The result was a fun pro-progression video, which you can watch back here.
