COVID Increases Cancer Risk - Are You Due For Cancer Screening?

In Australia, cancer hospitals are reporting reduced referrals of patients, with The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre saying referrals were reduced by one third.

The United Kingdom has predicted up to 60,000 excess deaths from cancer due to the impact of COVID-19.

We already know that Gippslanders suffer from higher rates of cancer than their Victorian counterparts - particularly in cancers where early detection is crucial including breast, stomach, oesophageal and bowel cancers.

A study from Hong Kong has quantified the risks of delayed endoscopy on gastrointestinal cancer risk: 37% less people were diagnosed with bowel cancer as a result in reduction in screening.

Our message is simple: PLEASE DON’T DELAY!

Discuss with one of our specialists, or your GP regarding whether a mammogram, gastroscopy or colonoscopy is important for you during the pandemic.

COVID increases the risk of cancers which require specific tests for detection such as:

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01 : Breast Cancer

02 : Oesophageal Cancer

03 : Stomach Cancer

04 : Bowel Cancer

Coronavirus: Gippsland is ready for telehealth

Please - if you feel unwell call the dedicated Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, leaving 000 for emergencies only.

Currently, social distancing appears to be having an effect, with the number of new cases in Victoria currently on the decline.

As of April 6, there were 23 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Gippsland, spread throughout the region. It is imperative that we continue to socially isolate to contain the spread of this awful pandemic.

However, everyone recognises that in order to maintain good health, medical appointments and consultations remain necessary - other ailments don’t wait around for the pandemic to end!

In order to minimise the need for you to come out, many of our appintments at GSG along with many other GPs and specialist clinics have been converted to online telehealth or telephone consultations. At GSG, we are still taking referrals as usual.

Please ask our friendly GSG administration staff to book your appointment via telehealth or telephone. Of course, some appointments, and all procedures, will mean you still need to attend in person - we will be sure to tell you if this is the case.

For the daily Coronavirus COVID-19 Victoria update: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-update

Remember, there are only 4 reasons to leave home:

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01 : Shopping for food and essentials

02 : Medical or care needs

03 : Basic exercise

04 : Work or study if this is not possible remotely

Public Lecture: Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes: Past, Present And Future

Improving breast cancer outcomes: past, present and future

Presented by the Breast Cancer Network and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

This public lecture will explore breast cancer treatment and its’ future.

Can’t attend in person? Register for the Webinar Link: https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/events/bcna-and-vccc-public-lecture/

About the event:

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When:
Thursday 20 th February 2020, 6pm until 7pm

Where:
Level 7, Lecture Theatre B VCCC Building 305 Grattan Street, Carlton VIC 3000

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day

Taking place every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day brings together the entire world in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. This initiative aims to prevent millions of preventable deaths annually by raising awareness among individuals and governments about cancer, in addition to debunking common myths and misconceptions about the disease.

This year’s theme “I Am and I Will” means that anyone can reduce the impact of cancer for themselves, the people around him, and for the whole world.

Cancer in Gippsland

*Cancer is the leading cause of death in Gippsland, with Gippslanders having the lowest five-year-survival rate of all regions in Victoria.

Cancers of the breast, bowel, pancreas, liver, stomach and lung comprise six of the top eight cancers responsible for the deaths of Victorians. **Fortunately, in many cases, steps can be taken to enhance early detection, leading to increased treatment options that can often lead to a complete cure.

Please have a chat with your family doctor today about whether you should have tests for early detection of these cancers, and please don’t forget to remind loved ones around you to do the same.

If you feel you would like to chat to a specialist about the early detection of any or all of these cancers, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment after talking with your family doctor.

*Cancer Council, Victorian Cancer Registry, 2016; Cancer Council, Cancer in Victoria, Statistics and Trends 2018.

*Cancer Council, Cancer in Victoria, Statistics and Trends 2018.

The three most important objectives of the campaign are to:

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01 : Educate communities about cancer diseases and means to prevent them.

02 : Encourage early detection

03 : Emphasize that solutions are possible and available