Breaking the taboo on incontinence
30/04/2008
Modern society, it seems, has a fear of incontinence - which is often interpreted as a sign of old age and infirmity. But ironically this perception, which primarily exists amongst those who are not sufferers, is the exact polar opposite of the actual impact experienced by those with the condition.
The whole subject of incontinence was given an airing during April in France as part of the 2nd Global Forum on Incontinence, and new research unveiled during the event pointed to an array of failings in society that keep incontinence rooted towards the bottom of the healthcare agenda.
For many, incontinence remains an isolating and debilitating condition, and a clear communication barrier exists - even amongst those experiencing the condition. This stigma is even more isolating for women, possibly as incontinence can affect them generally at a much younger age than men, often following childbirth. In addition women felt less comfortable talking to their GP or partners than men, and relied more on their network of close friends.
Eight out of ten non-sufferers perceive a moderate to dramatic impact on daily life - yet the reality is that eight out of ten sufferers actually rate the impact as very little or no affect at all. Professor Ian Milsom, Chair Forum, said: "This perception clearly reinforces the taboo that incontinence is some sort of life sentence. While the impact for some is obviously huge, the majority of people are able to live fulfilling lives. This is clearly not how society would see it."
A measure of this taboo is illustrated by two key findings from the latest research: talking about incontinence rates is as uncomfortable as a conversation about sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Yet the media is twice as likely to write an article about STIs as it is about incontinence.
"There is little doubt that the unfashionable and taboo nature of incontinence is a barrier that prevents effective discussion and practical intervention," commented Professor Milsom. "This is also supported by the fact that GPs often overestimate a patients discomfort in talking about the issue, when what the patient actually wants is an open discussion and good advice.
"However, we have come some way in the past 10-20 years in reducing the social taboo. Products are now advertised on television and the internet and this obviously helps to normalise this common condition. But we are still some way off treating an issue that will after all affect many of us in some way or another in our lifetime - as normal a healthcare problem as asthma, raised cholesterol or depression."
Full details of the Forum are available from the website below.