First, the patient

A cigarette doesn't scream. It doesn't stagger like alcohol. It doesn't wreak havoc in sudden bursts of aggression. And yet - it is the one that quietly kills over 70,000 Poles a year. Nicotine, although legal and packaged in fashionable sachets or stylish e-cigarettes, is one of the most potent drugs known to science. And although we have known for decades how deadly it can be, Poland is still unable to combat it effectively.

Can a procedure that saves lives also take away a sense of masculinity? In the latest episode of Patient First, Monika Rachtan talks to urophysiotherapist Kamila Grabek about complications after prostatectomy.

What does it mean to treat a patient holistically - and is the health system in Poland ready for this?

Is the fact that dentistry has almost entirely shifted to the private sector a sign of progress or a failure of the system?

Could a reduction in the health contribution hurt the National Health Fund?

Did you know that incontinence can affect not only menopausal women, but also young girls who have never given birth?

Why do Poles so rarely take advantage of preventive examinations?

Can health science divide society?

While 40% men die from cardiovascular disease, the rate in women is as high as 50%, making them more vulnerable to heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.

One million Poles are living with cancer and many are additionally battling other conditions that require treatment.