Leicester health campaigns have released a hard-hitting YouTube video about prostate cancer in a bid to get more men to check themselves for the “silent killer”.
It is part of the #PlayDominoTalkProstate campaign by the Centre, which is based in the city, in conjunction the University of Leicester’s Health Matters project.
One in four black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to one in eight white men, according to Prostate Cancer UK, with the condition now the most common cancer in the UK.
In response, this initiative has been targeting African and African Caribbean communities, using the culturally relevant game of dominoes to encourage men to talk about the condition.
In the ‘The Domino Effect – Play Domino, Talk Prostate, Save Lives’ YouTube film members of the community contributed by sharing their stories. The film challenges perceptions, explains what prostate cancer is and talks through the symptoms. It also highlights the severe consequences of ignoring symptoms through the story of Barrington.
In the film, Barrington says: “A year ago he said sitting in this same room when Marcel and Pamela were talking about prostate… I should have taken notice and got myself tested but me didn’t. By the time we got to see the doctor, it was too late. Now the cancer spread to me bones, me liver and me lungs. Me doctor said me only have a few months to live. Me tell you, ‘get yourself tested’.”
Pamela Campbell-Morris, the Project Initiator and Community Champion at the Centre, launched the campaign.
She said: “We know that African Caribbean men engage through the cultural game of dominoes, it’s a cultural thing. People talk about those hard-to-reach groups, I know with African Caribbean men, one way of engaging is through dominoes. Prostate cancer is a silent killer, so it’s vital we get this message across.”
Earlier this summer a free comic book to encourage men to take control of their prostate health was produced by the campaign. The video is the animated version of the comic. The Domino Effect comic is available in digital and print versions.
The Centre is working to reduce health inequality in the region by sharing resources and promoting research.
The Centre is funded by the University of Leicester and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands which is a partnership of regional health services, universities and industry which turns research into cost-saving and high-quality care through cutting-edge innovation.
To access the YouTube video, click here.
To view a digital version of the comic or request a print copy, click here.