It’s not every day you get to see inside the mind of a teenager – but the article from Horsens Folkeblad gives just that.
16-year-old Frederik speaks with both maturity and sensitivity about undergoing screening for type 1 diabetes (T1D), a disease that affects both his father and little-sister. He is currently part of the DiaUnion screening programme, where individuals are tested for autoantibodies and their risk of developing T1D. It is led by Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and Lund University.
While concern is naturally a part of Frederik’s story, the article also offers a nuanced perspective – one that highlights how early screening provides time to prepare and can reduce the shock of a sudden diagnosis like his little-sister experienced.
In Denmark the screening is available to people aged 1-40 with a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has T1D. Participants with an elevated risk are followed for up to 3 years and will be offered close support and monitoring as well as potential participation in clinical trials with new preventive treatments.
The article also mentions the goal behind the screening – to make type 1 diabetes easier to live with and ultimately prevent the development of the disease.
Read the full article (behind payment wall):
https://hsfo.dk/horsens/16-aarige-frederik-venter-paa-diabetesdom-mit-liv-som-det-er-nu-bliver-oedelagt?teaser-referral=a43fadbc-6ce9-47bc-863f-4cbfe4c5fb4f-14
