National Skin Cancer Action Week – Nationwide

With two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

Did you know:

• More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year
• Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer
• Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection, yet too many Australians still have a tan.
• Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. Worst of all it increases your risk of skin cancer.

That’s why this National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer Cancer Council is encouraging everyone to #OwnYourTone and embrace your natural skin tone.

Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection and #OwnYourTone by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

For more information, please visit

https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html

World Pneumonia Day 2018

Pneumonia is caused by an infection of the lung. Most infections are either due to bacteria or viruses, although often a cause is never found. This is a dangerous disease which can have severe effects on any individual who contracts it. World Pneumonia Day brings people from all over the world together, uniting to demand that something be done to fight the pneumonia illness. It helps to highlight the severity of pneumonia and encourages more organisations to look at ways of combating the disease.

Pneumonia is one of the most solvable problems in global health and yet a child dies from the infection every 20 seconds.

To get involved:

• Organise you own fundraiser
• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information: https://stoppneumonia.org/world-pneumonia-day/

World NET Cancer Day 2018

The aim of World NET Cancer Day is to raise awareness of NET cancers among decision makers, health professionals and the general public. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is the umbrella term for a group of unusual cancers which develop from cells in the diffuse endocrine system. NETs can affect people of any age, and can be slow-growing or very aggressive.

“NET is considered a rare cancer, but incidence has increased in Australia over the past few decades. Analysis has shown that annual NET incidence per 100,000 has increased from 1.7 in 1980-1989 to 3.3 in 2000-2006 (that is, three people per 100,000).”

Get involved by:

• Joining a support group
• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

For more  information: https://netcancerday.org/news/

Movember 2018

The Movember Foundation is the leading global health organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health, stopping men dying too young. The state of men’s health is in crisis. Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier.

3,500 male deaths have already occurred this year due to prostate cancer.Three quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute.

Be a part of groundbreaking change and support ‘The Movember Foundation’ to address the crisis at a global level.

To get involved:

• Donate to the foundation
• Grow a moustache to show your support
• Organise a fundraiser
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information: https://au.movember.com/

Blue Knot Day 2018

Blue Knot Day is Blue Knot Foundation’s national awareness day celebrated in October every year. On this day, all Australians are asked to unite in support of the 5 million Australian adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Blue Knot Day will be held on Monday 29 October.

The 2018 Blue Knot Day theme ‘REAL LIVES. REAL CHANGE’ recognises the urgent need for support services for adult survivors of childhood trauma.

‘1 in 4 Australians are living with Childhood Trauma at this current moment’

This Blue Knot Day you can show your support for change in 3 ways:

1. Share the ‘REAL LIVES. REAL CHANGE.’ #unitebkd social media campaign
2. Purchase a Blue Knot bracelet or pin
3. Raise funds and awareness in your community

For more information, visit: https://www.blueknot.org.au/BlueKnotDay

National Safe Work Month 2018

National Safe Work Month is held in October each year. It aims to build awareness of work health and safety and encourage discussion about the importance of WHS issues.

Since Safe Work Australia’s inception, there has been a steady decline in the rate of work-related fatalities and workers’ compensation claims.

However, we also know that work-related injury and disease cost the Australian community $61.8 billion in a year.

There’s still work to be done.

Get involved this October by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Taking care of yourself and colleagues in the workplace
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/news-and-events/national-safe-work-month

World Polio Day 2018

ONE DAY: ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO 

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.

“The number of worldwide polio cases has fallen from an estimated 350,000 in 1988 to 407 in 2013—a decline of more than 99% in reported cases.”

Continue this fall in Polio by:

• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

World Osteoporosis Day 2018

This is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health.

This year the theme is focused on the important issue of spinal fractures.

It’s true, any type of broken bone from poor bone health is serious. But spinal fractures are the most undiagnosed type of fracture.

“There are approximately 12,000 spinal cord injuries each year,which are associated with a significant mortality rate.”

Height loss, curved back and sudden unexplained back pain are all warning signs. If osteoporosis is diagnosed there are positive steps to help manage your bone health.

To get involved this October:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer

For more information, visit: https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/world-osteoporosis-day-2018