Anatomical models supplied by Adam,Rouilly are helping to raise vital awareness of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, as well as supporting men newly diagnosed with the illness.
We were delighted to provide male pelvis and genital organ models to the Prospect Bristol and District Prostate Cancer Support Group to use at awareness-raising events across the area, and in group sessions for men with prostate cancer.
The SOMSO MO17 Median Section of the Male Pelvis, and MO15 Model of the Male Genital Organs, demonstrates effectively where the prostate is and its proximity in relation to other organs, such as the bladder, bowel and rectum.
This is helpful both for raising awareness of symptoms to promote early detection, and to help men recently diagnosed understand the condition and their treatment options.
Prospect is a well-established support group run by prostate cancer survivors, offering help, advice and lots of practical information. It has close links with local hospitals and services including Macmillan Cancer Support and the Southmead Hospital Urology Department – a UK centre of excellence for prostate cancer.
Adam,Rouilly Director of Sales and Marketing, Tariq Shahab, and Zachary Weitz, Graphic and Content Creator, visited the group to meet the committee members and find out how the models are helping support their cause.
Committee member, Jeff Allen, explains: “The models are absolutely brilliant. I took the male pelvis cross section to a large company’s wellbeing day and it was a real eye-catcher and great for drawing people to the stand. I asked everyone who approached if they could identify where the prostate is and 80% got it wrong.
“Being able to show them its location, and proximity to the bladder, is an effective way to highlight why prostate cancer can present as bladder-related symptoms, such as an increased urge to pee and a feeling that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied.
Three dimensional models represent ‘excellent’ learning resource
“Prostate cancer affects one in eight men and one in four black men, but many don’t know where the prostate is and what it does. These three dimensional models are an excellent way of showing them. The pelvic model is a good cross section, while the genitalia model shows much more detail of the relationship between the testicles, prostate and seminal vesicles.
“Once someone has received that diagnosis they are usually presented with various treatment options, such as prostate removal, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. We have three to five people attending every meeting who have been recently diagnosed, so the models are useful for showing them what’s happening in their bodies and the potential impact of the different treatment options on other organs. For example, damage to the bowel can be a side effect of radiotherapy.”
Jeff first heard of Prospect in 2021 after receiving his own life-changing diagnosis. It took him a few weeks to come to terms with the news and he didn’t attend a meeting until after his surgery. He considers himself very fortunate in terms of his personal outcome and decided to join Prospect’s committee to help others faced with a cancer diagnosis.
“It was so important to meet men with similar and different experiences to my own,” Jeff said. “I wish I’d reached out as soon as I had my diagnosis, so after about a year of attending I joined the committee to give back. I try to be very proactive in raising awareness for early detection and the models are already doing that.”
Jeff chose Adam Rouilly because he recognised the company as a high-quality brand after working with models from our range during his career as a university lecturer in physiology.
‘Privileged to play a part in such vital work’
Adam,Rouilly has been at the forefront of medical education since 1918, working closely with healthcare professionals, hospitals and universities in the development and supply of medical teaching models to support advances in clinical knowledge and training.
Tariq said: “We’ve been providing models and simulators to assist in medical education for over 100 years and we’re always inspired by the many different ways they can be used.
“What the Prospect group is doing is amazing and it was incredibly moving to hear about the important service they are providing to people in such difficult times, as well as the awareness they are raising about prostate cancer.
“We’re really privileged to be able to play a part in that vital work.”
Zachary added: “Our day with Prospect was both inspiring and enlightening, especially hearing the meaningful conversations about cancer treatment that unfolded while the attendees examined the models.”
Prospect holds regular meetings and events throughout Bristol and the surrounding districts for prostate cancer patients, their wives, partners and carers, as well as attending a variety of events throughout the year. Often 25 to 30 men attend each meeting.
You can find out more by visiting the Prospect Bristol and District Prostate Cancer Support Group website.
