Take first step to a healthier life and ward off the scourge of cancer

Think UV, not heat, this summer, writes Penny Egan

ANOTHER year gone. Where, might we ask? Our lives seem to get busier or do we just make ourselves busy? But we should never be too busy to look after our health.

One in two us by the age of 85 will have received a cancer diagnosis. Already in Tasmania there are more than 30,000 people living with or from a cancer diagnosis.

The evidence is very clear that early detection can save lives so why is it that so many people choose to ignore that message.

With three free national screening programs for breast, bowel and cervical cancers, there is no excuse.

Tasmanians can be pleased with their program participation rates but even so, there are many eligible people not being screened.

Every year as summer rolls in and the UV rises above 3, we encourage people to understand the need to be SunSmart and the important association of UV and skin cancer.

Our new social media campaign aimed at young people focuses on Think UV: Not Heat. We want our next generation to develop healthy lifestyle habits that stay with them for life and ultimately reduces their cancer risk.

Melanoma is the second highest diagnosed cancer for men and women in Tasmania. The latest statistics show 434 Tasmanians were diagnosed with a melanoma and sadly 35 people lost their life.

The number of non-melanoma skins cancers are more difficult to determine but they would be in the hundreds every year, and although they may not result in death, the scarring and disfiguration from removal can be awful.

Other cancer prevention messages have increased relevance at this time of the year.

Christmas and New Year celebrations are a time when families and friends come together but this can also equate to more eating, drinking and sitting.

My dear late mother would say all things in moderation. However, without putting a dampener on festivities, the evidence is clear and the cancer prevention messages succinct that maintaining a healthy body weight, eating well and if you enjoy a drink, restricting yourself to four standard drinks on any one day and no more than 10 standard drinks per week will help reduce your cancer risk.

Smoking is a social exercise and falls into the festive season. Tasmania still has the highest smoking rates of

any state or territory except the Northern Territory.

Vaping is alarmingly on the increase. Evidence is showing that people who have never smoked but do vape, are three times likely to start smoking cigarettes.

Smoking and vaping are addictive and habitual. Supporting people to stop and encouraging others not to take it up is a special Christmas present you could give to yourself or someone else.

To move forward with any behavioural change, you must take the first step. It’s easy to be older and wiser, but myself and others genuinely want to make sure that the younger generations learn from our mistakes and ignorance.

First steps may take courage but nothing compared to the courage displayed by those who are dealing with cancer.

Every Tasmanian has a cancer story. We will never forget those we have lost, the impact they have had on our lives and the courage they showed in fighting their cancer.

Be proactive about your health and reduce the cancer risk for yourself and importantly for those we love.

Penny Egan is CEO Cancer Council

Tasmania