IT’S frightening how many people who attend a Lions District 5 Cancer Foundation Skin Check day end up being referred for a medical follow-up.
According to Lions’ research of the 1967 people to attend one of the 41 screening days so far, 815 have received referrals or 41%, resulting in 17 life-threatening lesions being identified.
It’s hardly surprising.
Melanoma of the skin is the 17th most common cancer worldwide.
And Australia has by far the highest incidence of melanoma per captia in the world.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, Australia with 36.6 cases per 100,000 (age-standardised rate) leads New Zealand 31.6.
So, if you haven’t had your skin checked for a while, and those numbers worry you, then you should get along to the Strzelecki Lions’ Skin Cancer Check Day, at the Loch Market Site on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 to get your skin checked.
Hopefully, you will be among the 59 per cent of lucky ones who won’t need a follow up.
“We got the Lions’ ‘V’ Districts’ Skin Check and Awareness Unit coming down for those two days and it’s a great opportunity to get up to date with the health of your skin,” said coordinator of the day, Strzelecki Lion Frank Hirst.
“The unit comes with three, air-conditioned consulting rooms staffed by qualified dermoscopists and doctors and they are very efficient about the way everyone gets through,” said Frank.
“We’d encourage everyone interested to send an email to http://lionslochskincheck@gmail.com with their name, phone number and preferred time between 8am and 5pm.
The Lions’ Skin Check and Awareness Unit is making a sweep through the area in February and March, starting at Red Hill on Friday and Saturday, February 17 & 18 and then continuing on to Koo Wee Rup and Loch. Here are a selection of dates:
- Koo Wee Rup Saturday & Sunday, February 25 & 26, 8am-5pm
- Loch Market Site (Strzelecki Lions) Friday, March 3 from 8am-5pm and Saturday, March 4 8am-5pm
- Traralgon Saturday & Sunday, March 18 & 19
- Yarram Saturday & Sunday, March 25 & 26
- Moe Saturday & Sunday, April 1 & 2
