Some resolutions worth the effort

IHOPE that you have had a wonderful and safe Christmas period, with your families coming together to enjoy themselves, whatever your backgrounds.

Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions, some of them serious, some of them not so. Can you remember if you made one or more last year? How did they turn out?

Did you lose weight, get fitter, give up smoking or find that new job?

Some resolutions are worth the effort, especially when you consider nearly nine Tasmanians are diagnosed every day with cancer. The impact on those people and those around them is significant. One in three cancers can be prevented. I encourage everyone to be the one in the three. There are some simple steps that can help reduce your cancer risk. It harms nearly every organ in your body and can be attributed to 16 types of cancer. Lung cancer is the highest cause of cancer deaths.

For employers, make a resolution to make your work environments smoke-free and reduce the exposure to all your employees from second-hand smoke, which is just as dangerous.

Recent reports indicate that two-thirds of people who smoke are likely to die as a result of their smoking.

Even though smoking rates in Tasmania are at an all-time low, 18.9 per cent, we are still the highest of any Australian state with an estimated 74,000 Tasmanians still smoking.

Make a pledge to quit smoking or importantly make an attempt.

Penny Egan

Call our Quitline on 13 78 48 and talk to one of our local counsellors who are trained to listen and help meet your needs. Melanoma skin cancer is the fourth-highest cancer with more than 280 Tasmanians diagnosed each year. If detected and treated early, the five-year survival rates are greater than 90 per cent.

Statistics show nonmelanoma skin cancer treatments have increased by 86 per cent between 1997 and 2010 with further increases predicted over the next few years.

The majority of nonmelanoma skin cancers are not life-threatening but they can leave some serious scarring if not dealt with.

A recent survey indicated 71,000 Tasmanian adults get burnt on an average weekend.

We must set a good example for our younger population.

I have finally learnt my lesson about being SunSmart which is that I should have been smarter 45 years ago.

We could be in for a warm summer.

Understand that temperature and ultra violet levels are not related.

Make the pledge to be SunSmart.

When the UV is higher than 3, follow the rules — slip on sun protective clothing, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on the sunglasses. Early detection provides a better chance of successfully treating cancers because they are more difficult to treat as they advance. Know your body and when you notice unusual changes seek clinical advice. National screening programs to detect breast, bowel and cervical cancers are free. The aim is to pick up cancers in healthy individuals who do not have symptoms.

Evidence is clear it can save your life or at the very least give you a much longer life. It is an easy pledge to get checked in 2018. It’s not hard to be caught up in the festivities. Having a few drinks can be enjoyable but evidence indicates that more than two standard drinks a day can increase cancer risk and the effect of long-term alcohol consumption and heavy drinking increases the risk of cancer up to seven times. You can still enjoy a tipple but a resolution to drink less alcohol can go a long way to improving your health and wellbeing. These are simple steps that individually help reduce your cancer risk, but if combined give you a much better chance of a cancer-free future. Enjoy those extra few treats at Christmas, but make a resolution to improve eating habits and take up exercise; keeping a healthy weight will happen by default.

Cancer Council Tasmania had a busy 2017. We provided nearly 4600 occasions of support to Tasmanians impacted by cancer. We presented to over 80 communities and organisations on cancer prevention education.

Our transport2treatment service transported over 222 clients to 3390 treatment appointments.

We provided financial assistance, educational scholarships to 16-25-yearolds and contributed more funds into Tasmanian cancer research.

Our work is underpinned by the generosity of the Tasmanian community. It is a challenging and competitive environment, but we are proud to acknowledge the $4 million donated and raised each year to provide our services and programs, and every dollar stays in Tasmania.

It is important for us, and for you to know, that when you Donate to the Daffodil, you are supporting Cancer Council Tasmania and in turn supporting each other.

Each day we are inspired by the courage and determination of those around us who are affected by cancer. Every Tasmanian has a cancer story and there are many of us who have lost a loved one or a friend this year because of this insidious disease. We will never forget them or the impact they had on our lives.

Take the simple steps, make a resolution … reduce your cancer risk for yourself and those who you love. Penny Egan is chief executive of Cancer Council Tasmania.