Cancer and the Wimmera session
H“We are extremely fortunate to have access to someone of Dr Speakman’s calibre and I encourage everyone to consider logging in to the information session” – Robyn Gulline
orsham Rural City Council will host a ‘Cancer and the Wimmera’ online question and answer session with Peter Maccallum Cancer Centre’s chief medical officer Dr David Speakman tonight.
The council has organised the session based on figures that show 139 people are diagnosed with cancer and 53 lose their lives in the municipality annually.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, patient referrals to Peter Maccallum Cancer Centre dropped by as much as 40 percent for some cancers, as people statewide delayed seeing their doctor or getting tested.
Dr Speakman is a leading clinician working in the breast and melanoma and skin units at the centre.
During the online event, people will have an opportunity to learn about: • How early detection and treatment of cancer can improve treatment outcomes. • Early signs and symptoms. • Risk factors, screening and prevention. • How telehealth – instead of travelling to appointments – can benefit people in regional Victoria.
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline will host the webinar from 7pm and Wimmera Cancer Centre manager Carmel O’kane will also be a panelist.
The live presentation will be available via Zoom digital video conferencing. Attendees do not need to register and a recording will be made available after the event.
“We are extremely fortunate to have access to someone of Dr Speakman’s calibre and I encourage everyone to consider logging in to the information session,” Cr Gulline said.
“Anyone can join the Zoom webinar. It’s easy to do, participants won’t have their cameras on, but they can get involved through the text-chat function.”
Cr Gulline said people could submit questions for Dr Speakman before this evening’s meet via media@hrcc.vic.gov.au, the council’s Facebook page or by leaving them at the council’s customer service desk.
“We will also see if we can answer some questions as they come in during the webinar,” she said.
Dr Speakman has more than 20 years of sub-specialist experience in both breast and melanoma fields and was intimately involved in the conception, design and building of Peter Mac’s new Melbourne facilities.
He said he hoped the reach out to the community, and increased focus on cancer at this time, would help his team find cancer diagnoses that might have been overlooked because of the pandemic.
“If you have concerns about your health, or put off getting a test or seeing your doctor over the past year, we urge you to see your GP as soon as possible because delays make cancer harder to treat,” he said.
Peter Mac’s melanoma and skin service is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Of the new cancer cases in Horsham municipality each year, on average 11 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, 14 with melanoma, 17 with bowel cancer, 17 with breast cancer and 16 with prostate cancer.