Comedian to address taboo subjects at BABE event

Fresh from this year’s Fringe Festival, Elaine Miller, a trained physiotherapist, who blends her expertise with stand-up comedy, has been invited along as the guest speaker at the next Bladder and Bowel Event (BABE) on Saturday 10 September 2016.

BABEs are aimed at supporting people with bladder and bowel problems and are organised by staff from our colorectal and uro-gynae teams. Taking place between 10am and 3.30pm, at the Future Inn, Derriford, the fourth event will include various talks by health specialists from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Speaking ahead of the event, Elaine said: “Taboo subjects are, obviously, tricky to discuss. There's no denying that most people find problems with bowel or bladder control embarrassing.  We perceive that only the very young, the very old or the infirm have trouble controlling their bodily functions, when in fact, 1:3 women and 1:9 men wet themselves and 1:10 people have difficulty with bowel control.

“It can take years for a person to seek help, usually because something happened, which was so awful that it was more embarrassing to live with it than it was to ask their GP for help. This is frustrating for clinicians, because we know there are many effective treatments, exercises and life style modifications which can manage or cure these conditions.

“I am delighted to be involved with the BABE event because I am sure that talking is kryptonite to taboos.  It is more common to leak than it is to have the common cold, so I simply don't see why it should be seen as being embarrassing.

“Part of my job is telling people that they are not alone and that they don't have to put up with it. I love it, getting people to the point where they can live their life without embarrassment.”

Anyone who is interested in joining one of the sessions can email plh-tr.BABE@nhs.net or call the BABE Team on 01752 430033.