At the introductory event, three patients gave very personal accounts of their cancer. Sandra Zimmermann, who was diagnosed with skin cancer (malignant melanoma) at the age of 31, describes her experience as follows: "A small spot with a big impact on my life". She would have done things differently if she had known about the risk factors. Today, at 41, she is cancer-free, but struggles with some limitations as a result of her cancer treatment. Educating young people about skin cancer prevention is a matter close to her heart.
Yvonne Köth and Dirk Rohde talked about their lives with cervical and tongue cancer. Köth is terminally ill with metastases, but the cancer is kept in check by antibody therapy. She had to say goodbye to her second child, but has not let the cancer take away her courage to face life and her optimism. Rohde was able to return to his job as a motorcycle police officer, despite losing half of his tongue and having all the lymph nodes in his neck removed. Both are actively involved in social media to improve the vaccination rate.
Early education and screening as the key to prevention
Dr. Uschi Traub, Head of Health Promotion at the Department of Health, emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups and refers to vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis B. Köth emphasizes the value of school events: "Early education creates awareness and can help prevent HPV-related cancers. We, the people affected, make it clear what consequences such a disease can have." Principal Mirko Samietz also emphasizes the importance of such school events - in awareness of the central role prevention plays.
Contact for queries:
Dr. Uschi Traub, Tel. 07141 144-2520, Mail: gesundheitsförderung[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.
Facebook account Dirk Rohde: Shock diagnosis of cancer. And suddenly everything is different.
Instagram account Dirk Rohde: Don.ro
Insta account Yvonne Köth: Lachen_gegen_krebs
Background information on cancer in general:
Around half of the population will develop cancer in the course of their lives - there are around 500,000 new cases in Germany every year. However, almost every second cancer is preventable. Vaccination against human papillomaviruses (HPV) plays an important role in cancer prevention. The STIKO recommends it for girls and boys from the age of 9 - ideally before their first sexual contact. Skin cancer is also one of the most common types of cancer: around 372,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with it every year. Black skin cancer (malignant melanoma) in particular is on the rise. Early detection is important - for example using the ABCDE rule for pigmented moles. Prevention is possible: non-smoking, exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, no or moderate alcohol consumption and protection from UV radiation significantly reduce the risk.
Further information on cancer prevention in the overview at: https://www.dkfz.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Krebspraevention/Download/pdf/Infografiken_und_Faltblaetter/2021_Infografik_Vermeidbare-Krebserkrankungen.pdf
