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May is the month to take sunhats off
New Zealanders can shed their hats and sunscreen from today - for a short time - without worrying about the risks of skin cancer, according to the Cancer Society.
Skin Cancer Control Advisor, Dr Judith Galtry, says sunhats and other forms of sun protection like sunscreen are not generally necessary throughout most of New Zealand from May to the end of September.
"Sun protection is important when the UV Index reaches 3 or above, as that's the level that can cause skin damage in people with fair skin. From now until the end of September, in most of the country, average peak UV Index levels drop to less than 3, which is not high enough to cause skin damage.
We're conscious people shouldn't compromise their Vitamin D levels by being SunSmart when it's not necessary. Vitamin D, which is largely created in the body as a result of exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation is important for strong bones and general good health. It may also protect against some cancers.
There are exceptions to the "hats off" advice. People who are spending time at high altitudes ski-ing, climbing or tramping, for example, or near highly reflective surfaces, such as snow and water, will still need to use their hats, sunglasses and SPF 30 + suncscreen, as skin and eye damage can occur in these situations.
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Men’s Health a major focus for the Cancer Society this year
“Following on from a very successful men’s health forum, convened by the Cancer Society last year, we are delighted to be working with the Ministry of Health to develop new guidelines for men and their doctors to inform the decision making about PSA testing for prostate cancer,” said the society’s Chief Executive, Dalton Kelly.
“We are in the unique position of really knowing the sort of information men want, and how they want it delivered. This is very important because for a long time prostate cancer, or indeed most health issues relating to men, have not been a topic of discussion amongst men. We want to bring prostate cancer out into the open and give men the opportunity to know how and where to get information.”
The new guidelines will be developed over the next few months. They will help doctors to provide advice for men so they can make fully informed decisions about prostate cancer and the issues surrounding screening, diagnosis and treatment options.
We plan to have a major focus on men’s health issues over the coming year, and leading up to Father’s Day we plan to turn the spotlight on a number of health issues for men.”
Survey reveals what makes children more likely to walk to school
A University of Otago survey of more than 1500 Dunedin primary school children found that only around one-third had walked to school on the survey day.
A matching survey of their parents indicated that around half of the children usually walked to school less than three times per week. The survey findings appeared in the NZ Medical Journal.
Cancer Society Receives $300.00 from man who quit smoking
Congratulations to James Hurman, who has quit smoking in a novel way. Thirty year old James from Auckland successfully auctioned his smoking habit on the internet site Trade Me!
James smoked cigarettes for twelve years and tried all the usual ways to quit smoking. He decided it was time to give up once and for all when his wife Annabel became pregnant with their first child.
James created a listing on the auction site and on Monday 31 March, 2008, the highest bidder received a contract written by his lawyer, Chris Hoquard at Dominion Law, in which James handed over his right to smoke to them, and agreed to pay them a forfeit of NZ$1000.00 per cigarette that he smoked at any time following the auction’s closure.
At the close of auction James received $300.00 from the highest bidder which he promptly donated to the Cancer Society. So thank you James – and well done!
(And just to be 100% clear, James is not suggesting that the person who bought the contract should take up smoking in his place. It is a way for him to quit smoking by, essentially, giving somebody a way to fine him if he ever smokes again).
SAILING AROUND THE WORLD FOR CANCER
Bryan Cooke is only too familiar with cancer, after losing his wife to it in 2004 and then, soon after, his personal experience with cancer.
He is now in remission, and pouring his energy into establishing the Oceans of Hope Foundation. The focus of which is a Cat. 0 Class 40 yacht, currently under construction, which he intends to race in high profile solo/shorthanded offshore yacht races around the globe, to raise money for Cancer research and treatment.
Bryan's plan is to attract a team of 'Support crew' sponsors who will initially contribute to the completion of his Class 40 yacht, Epiphany.
For more information about Bryan's quest and details on how to show the whole world in a very visible way your support for the fight against cancer, visit the Oceans of Hope website at www.oceansofhope.net
CANCER SOCIETY'S SUBMISSION ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH BILL
It is estimated that about 75-80% of cancers are attributable to lifestyle or environment and are therefore potentially preventable. The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy identifies tobacco smoking, inadequate intakes of fruit and vegetables, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun as the most significant and modifiable risk factors for cancer in New Zealand.
The Cancer Society has addressed these issues in their submission on the Public Health Bill because we believe a comprehensive health promotion approach, which includes not just increasing individual awareness and behaviour but also in many cases, a regulatory or legislative approach, is required.
SURVEY OF PUBLIC OPINIONS ABOUT
ADVERTISING FOOD TO CHILDREN
The Peak Group made up of National Heart Foundation, the Cancer Society, the Stroke Foundation, Diabetes New Zealand and Te Hotu Manawa Maori has released a survey showing a large majority of New Zealand parents and grandparents would like to ban television advertising to children of unhealthy food and drink products. Eighty-two percent of the survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that advertising unhealthy products ‘using ads appealing to children’ should be stopped. Read the full report
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