Most controversial issues in urology to be discussed in the Annual Congress of EAU

Some of the most controversial issues in urology will be discussed by leading experts during the five-day 25th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology (EAU) in the Fira Barcelona congress venue in Barcelona (ES). From April 16 to 20, close to 12,000 participants and 3,000 company representatives are expected to gather in one of the world's biggest annual professional meetings in urology.

For its 25th congress, the EAU has prepared a scientific programme that covers a wide range of urological topics including paediatrics, bladder cancer, female urology, renal cell carcinoma, reconstruction and functional urology, benign prostatic obstruction and stones, to name a few.

Urological conditions such as the above affect the lives of millions of people. More than 50% of men over 50 years of age have urological complaints due to benign conditions. More significantly, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the Western world and every year 346,000 new cases of prostate cancer are detected in Europe alone.

The EAU not only aims to raise awareness amongst the public, local and national governments in Europe but also to provide an effective platform for urologists, cancer specialists and other healthcare professionals to discuss pressing issues in healthcare, treatment and research and exchange knowledge and best practices in the clinical setting.

In Barcelona a press event that will discuss 'Prostate cancer screening - the debate continues' is scheduled on Saturday 17 April from 12.00 to 13.00 hours. With prominent European cancer experts, the focus will be on the future of European healthcare policies in terms of prostate cancer screening. Leading prostate cancer experts such as Profs. Fritz Schr-der (NL) and Lars Holmberg (SE) will discuss the latest developments. The session, to be chaired by Prof. Freddie Hamdy (GB), will also present the patient perspective with Prof. Louis Denis (BE), secretary of the European prostate cancer coalition Europa Uomo, as one of the speakers. Mr. Alojz Peterle (SI), Member of the European Parliament and cancer awareness advocate, will discuss the political views on actions against cancer. Media representatives will be given ample opportunity to ask questions.

The aim of the session is to generate media coverage and thus make the European public and governments more aware of the pressing issues with regard to urological conditions.