Daffodil Day appeal
It's at the core of everything we do to support the lives of people within our communities. Following on from G&C Mutual Bank's support of the World's Biggest Morning Tea, we have registered to fundraise for the Cancer Council Daffodil Day Appeal 2022. The Cancer Council of Australia host a yearly fund-raising appeal, aimed at sourcing much needed resources, that are used to fund life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research (Cancer Council 2022). You can be a part of this noble cause, by donating today. Your contribution can assist life-saving scientific research. With your support we can make a difference to the lives of all who have been touched by cancer.
In support of Daffodil Day, we have put together some useful information that addresses many of the concerns facing Australians, and the fight against cancer.
Cancer Rates in Australia
We have all been personally touched by the effects of cancer, whether that be a direct family member, friend or distant relative. Significantly, recent data captured by (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2022) has identified that over 150,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. The prevalence of the disease continues to be one of the main health concerns many Australians will face, at some stage of their life. With so many Australians at potential risk of developing some form of cancer, it is important to understand the risk factors and health checks that can help mitigate the potential for developing the disease.
Risk Factors
With the warmer months fast approaching, it’s an important time to take stock of your personal health and wellbeing. As a nation we tend to take for granted living in such as beautiful country, however when the weather warms up, it is exceedingly important to be mindful of the risks associated with prolonged, direct sunlight exposure. With this in mind, recognising your personal sun exposure and the steps you can take to protect yourself from harmful UV radiation, are ideas that you will need to consider in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Summertime in Australia is often jam packed with outdoor events including sporting activities, family gatherings and everything in between. With so many occasions taking place outdoors, many people will find themselves exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation. UV radiation is a leading cause of skin melanoma, which left unchecked can lead to significant health consequences, and in some instances even death. To be better prepared and reduce your risk of developing various types of skin cancer, the Cancer Council of Australia has provided guidance on how to help prevent skin cancer.
When it comes to considering the influence that your diet can have on your health, by-and-large many Australians are unaware of the role nutrition plays towards promoting positive health outcomes. Eating a well-balanced diet has the potential to support your health, by helping you feel energised and supporting mental acuity. In some circumstances a healthy diet consisting of vegetables and fruits can also decrease the susceptibility for some types of cancer. The (Cancer Council Australia 2022) suggest that “Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits is likely to reduce the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach and bowel”. You can make significant improvements to your health today by making small changes to your diet that will have a lasting impact on your quality of life. Livelighter have fantastic healthy eating basics that can help you improve your diet today.
Common health checks
Our bodies are always constantly changing, and although some differences are to be expected as we age, certain changes can be the telltale signs of something more sinister. Taking the time to assess your current physical health is the first step towards detecting cancer early. The (Cancer Councill 2022) suggest that people have a far better chance warding off the potential for surgery and surviving the disease, by detecting and treating cancer as early as possible. If you start to notice any new changes to your skin, seeking a consultation with your local doctor can bet he right decision to help detect the early signs of cancer. Keeping yourself informed on some of the best practices to help identify cancer, can also help you spot the disease before it progresses to harder to treat stages. The Cancer Council of Australia has some great advice for how to check for signs of skin cancer.