Spotlight on Urology

Spotlight on Urology takes a look at recent activities undertaken to advance urology around the world. This week we cover media on Genitourinary Syndrome in Menopause and penile cancer.

Menopause

This week, The Senior published an article about menopause, titled "The 'outdated' medical warnings stopping women from getting help".

The article opens with the experiences of Helen Chapman who experienced recurrent urinary tract infections despite taking multiple rounds of antibiotics. Helen was then treated by USANZ Member, Sandra Elmer, Deputy Leader of the USANZ Female Urology Specialty Advisory Group (FUSAG). Sandra diagnosed Helen with Genitourinary Syndrome in Menopause (GSM), a chronic condition caused by decreasing oestrogen levels.

Sandra was interviewed for the article, citing under-reporting of GSM and misconceptions around the symptoms. The article also referenced the 2024 parliamentary inquiry into menopause and perimenopause, where Sandra (with support of the FUSAG and Helen O'Connell) contributed a report on behalf of USANZ.

Read The Senior article online.

Penile Cancer

Last week we announced that USANZ had published a media release, leading to media placements on the subject of penile cancer.

Coverage of this subject has continued this week. The Daily Mail published an article focusing on the experiences of Wayne Earle who was diagnosed with penile cancer, leading to a penectomy. Wayne started a not-for-profit organisation focused on male-orientated cancers, Check Your Tackle, to educate, inform and create a sense of community for men and their partners, particularly to reduce stigmas around talking about these diseases.

USANZ Member Dixon Woon, who is the Deputy Leader of the USANZ Genitourinary Oncology Specialty Advisory Group, contributed to the article, speaking to the impact on psychological health and encouraging men to seek doctor's advice early if they notice any rashes on the penis.

Read the Daily Mail article online.

The case has also been reported by The Senior, in an article titled "'I felt like I was no longer a man': Survivor urges men to get symptoms checked." Read The Senior article online (login required).

In addition, ABC Gold Coast interviewed both Wayne and Dixon on Saturday 14 March. Listen to the ABC interview (begins at 1:22).
 

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