## Why does this website use a visual language for PSCC awareness?

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is not only medically rare — it is socially silenced. Many men delay seeking care not because they do not notice changes, but because shame, fear, and stigma make it difficult to look closely, talk openly, or ask questions.

This PSCC Awareness Project uses a carefully designed **abstract visual language** to remove those barriers.

Instead of graphic anatomy or clinical photographs, I use a symbolic figure called **Chemo** to communicate diagnosis, treatment, side effects, survivorship, and stigma in a way that is clear, respectful, and accessible.

The goal is simple:

**If men can look, they are more likely to notice.

If they notice, they are more likely to ask.

Early eyes save lives.**

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### How does this help men who may have PSCC?

For many men, the hardest step is the first one: paying attention without shame.

The visual language:

* Removes explicit anatomy so men are not confronted with embarrassment or fear

* Preserves dignity at every stage of care

* Shows that emotional responses — fear, uncertainty, isolation — are common and human

* Makes it easier to recognize when something may need medical attention

Nothing here is meant to shock or alarm. The images are designed to **lower the threshold for awareness**, not raise it.

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### How does this support caregivers and families?

Caregivers and families often sense that something is wrong long before a diagnosis, but may struggle to talk about it.

These visuals:

* Offer a shared, non-threatening way to begin conversations

* Help explain emotional and social impacts, not just medical facts

* Reduce discomfort around a topic that is often avoided

By removing graphic imagery, I am trying to create space for understanding instead of silence.

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### Why is this visual language important for medical professionals?

PSCC is uncommon, and many clinicians encounter it infrequently. As a result, early symptoms may be overlooked, and conversations may unintentionally focus on anatomy rather than lived experience.

The visual language:

* Supports patient-centered communication

* Highlights how stigma and silence affect outcomes

* Reinforces the importance of early attention and clear explanation

* Provides educational material without sensationalism

This is not a substitute for clinical knowledge. It is a tool to support better conversations.

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### How does this campaign address stigma directly?

Stigma is one of the greatest barriers to early detection in male cancers.

I will address stigma in two specific ways:

* **Silence and avoidance**, when symptoms are ignored or conversations never begin

* **Social stigma**, when judgment, shame, or cultural expectations prevent men from speaking up - new information will be added weekly

In my imagery, the body is never portrayed as damaged or shameful. The harm comes from silence and judgment — not from the person.

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### What can visitors expect from this website and blog?

You can expect to learn about your journey:

* Clear, stigma-aware content that I have learned

* Visual explanations that are respectful and non-graphic—and while this is not medical advice, I encourage you to see your medical provider)

* Honest discussion of my symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship

* Tools to help you start conversations earlier (that I wish I had)

* My patient-first perspective grounded in my lived experience

Everything here exists to support **earlier noticing, better questions, and more humane care**.

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### Why does this approach matter?

PSCC outcomes improve with earlier detection. Days matter!

Early detection depends on men feeling safe enough to look, families feeling able to speak, and clinicians recognizing the impact of stigma on care.

This campaign exists to remove barriers — not add fear.

**Early eyes save lives.**