In response to the growing incidence of obesity and Heart disease Skin Patrol has developed a new clinical program to promote early detection and education for Heart Health. The new program meets our exceptional clinical standards and provides patients with a unique, onsite service.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used for heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. It is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 34% of all deaths in Australia in 2006. Cardiovascular disease kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes. Cardiovascular disease is one of Australias largest health problems. Despite improvements over the last few decades, it remains one of the biggest burdens on our economy.
Cardiovascular disease:
Is heart, stroke and blood vessel disease
Kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes
Affects more than 3.5 million Australians
Prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease
Affects one in five Australians, and affects two out of three families
claimed the lives of almost 46,000 Australians (34% of all deaths) in 2006 - deaths that are largely preventable.
Statistics from the Heart Foundation 09
Skin Patrol has developed a program that aims to identify and minimise the risk of CVD via the Heart Patrol program. The Heart Patrol program consists of an on site medical consultation consisting of the following tests:
Hospital grade Electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements
Total Cholesterol
Blood sugar
Blood pressure
Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements
On the spot consultation with a general practitioner that has an interest and experience in cardiovascular health
This will be followed by patient reporting and high risk patient follow up for management/care/treatment
Group statistics reporting
The Heart Patrol program to date has been a very powerful tool to engage and encourage employees to monitor and manage their health. Our recent results showed that about 5% of individuals out of group 150 patients required immediate medical attention and further testing to avoid the incidence of cardiac event. These on site discoveries if not made via the Heart Patrol clinic could have proven dire for these patients, as many did not consider going for a heart check up previously, CVD is a silent killer and can strike at anytime.
Additional services provided to you at no additional charge include:
Program promotion and project management
1800 number appointment booking management
New research: Outdoor workers at DOUBLE risk of skin cancer
Alarming new statistics show outdoor workers are at more than double risk of skin cancer.
Statistics on the incidence of Skin Cancer among outdoor workers disclose the high risk associated with occupational sun exposure. Skin Patrol, a mobile skin cancer practice, has released a new report that highlights the need for better education among high risk, outdoor workers.
Since 2004 Skin Patrol has completed over 40,000 skin checks on outdoor workers in Australia. A random sample of over 1,000 outdoor workers in 2009 showed:
2.5 times the national reported incidence of malignant melanoma
One in 10 patients had a lesion highly suspicious of skin cancer
26% of patients were diagnosed with moderate to severe sun damage
70% of patients diagnosed with a lesion suspicious of skin cancer were aged 40 years or greater
The incidence of skin cancer for all Australians currently sits at 46 in 100,000, however for those that work outdoors that figure jumps to 100 in 100,000.
Skin Patrols National Program director, Skye Lovell said, "Skin Patrol has conducted over 40,000 workplace skin checks in the last 5 years. The data shows that outdoor workers are at a highly increased risk of skin cancer. Workers need to be better educated on how to self check for skin cancer, it never too late to start and early detection really does save lives."
In addition to onsite skin clinics, Skin Patrol provides workplaces with posters and individual fact sheets that offer simple, easy to follow self checking guides for outdoor workers.
Lovell says "most people have a digital camera and it a great tool for comparing spots every few months. Everyone who works outdoors should have an annual skin check but it pays to know your own skin and keep an eye out for new or changing spots. When you realise your own level of sun damage you will become more SunSafe."
Fortunately for Kim Addis an Under Manager from Anglo Coal Skin Patrol was able to detect his melanoma early. I am so thankful that my workplace arranged an onsite skin clinic. I was diagnosed with a level three melanoma in May 2009. The lesion has been removed but if it had been left another six months my prognosis would have been a very different story. I urge all managers of outdoor workers to arrange skin checks for staff.
Skin Patrols diagnosing Dermatologist, Dr Martin Haskett says "I diagnose skin cancers on outdoor workers almost every day and am certain that workplace skin checks and education save lives. The message about self skin checks and workplace sun protection needs to be vigorously reinforced for all outdoor workers and their employers."
Whether you are a miner, a builder, a truck driver, a landscape gardener, a personal trainer or even a farmer, if you work outside you need to be twice as diligent with your skin. It great to slip, slop, slap, but that not enough. Regular skin checks are crucial and could save your life.
Skin Patrol operates a national, mobile skin check and skin cancer education clinic. They are the first company in the world to use a tele-dermatology model that allows patients the expertise of a GP skin check and Dermatologist diagnosis. Dr Haskett believes "Early (unexpected) detection of skin cancer and one on one education facilitates behavioural change among high risk patients. The Skin Patrol model offers this to patients in very remote locations, and on the world wide stage this is quite exceptional."
Free self checking guides are available at http://www.skinpatrol.com.au/.
- copy ends -
For a copy of the full Workplace Skin Cancer Report or for more information please contact Skye Lovell on 0413 823 374 or visit http://www.skinpatrol.com.au/
For further media information, to arrange an interview with Skye Lovell, or for hi-res images please contact:
Simone Heydon
Handle Communications
03 9589 0976
0439 369 258
A NEW report into the sunsafe behaviour of Australian workers highlights an increasing need for better educating outdoor workers on the dangers of skin cancer.
Amazingly over 50 per cent of outdoor workers have never had a proper skin check!
The primary causes of skin cancer have been shown to be excessive exposure to sunlight and hereditary predisposition.
Having surveyed over 15,000 Australian workers and professional sportspeople, Skin Patrol, Australia's leading provider of workplace skin checks and skin cancer education, has found that the sun safe message often falls on deaf ears, particularly in Australian workplaces.
Some of the key trends uncovered by Skin Patrol include: Over 60% of workers had never had a skin check, yet an alarming 73% attended a Skin Patrol workplace clinic as they were worried about the condition of their skin or a specific spot; Skin Patrol found an incidence of melanoma among outdoor workers over three times the national average; 34% of all workers seen were diagnosed with severe sun damage; 65% of workers diagnosed with life threatening melanoma did not intend to have a skin check were it not for Skin Patrol's onsite clinic.
It's not just your everyday outdoor worker that is at risk of skin cancer, members of the Australian cricket team also understand the need to be pro-active in monitoring the effects of sun exposure.
Team members are regularly checked by Skin Patrol which also provides cricketers with pertinent advice about how to limit the suns harmful rays.
Ben Smith, National Career and Welfare Manager, from the Australian Cricketers Association says: "The ACA has been working with Skin Patrol for the last two years to provide much needed education and skin cancer checks to our current and past player members.
"As a result of early detection and the efficient services provided by Skin Patrol a number of our members have averted potentially serious health risks."
Skin Patrol's Program Director, Skye Lovell, believes companies need to consider different ways of communicating the importance of sun safety to their workforces.
She says that "despite years of aggressive skin cancer campaigning, many Australians remain poorly educated about the various forms of skin cancer, the early warning signs and how to effectively self-examine."
"Providing relevant skin cancer education tailored to an individual's skin damage and lifestyle is the best way to drive the skin cancer message home" she says.
"There is no point trying to scare people into action, education must be relevant and engaging".
Skin Patrol has a proven track record of making positive behavioural changes among its customers across Australia.
An integral part of protecting workers and complying with Occupational Health and Safety guidelines is to provide them with sun safe clothing and sunscreen and ensure they are properly used.
Skye Lovell says Skin Patrol research shows that even in companies where sunscreen is provided, it is rarely used effectively.
A major Skin Patrol initiative this summer is to get companies to provide workers with a personalised sunscreen kit that is lightweight, portable and provides a constant reminder to cover up.
Another key recommendation by Skin Patrol for the summer ahead is to provide specific advice about how to self check for skin cancer.
Lovell believes "many companies don't provide education on the types of skin cancer or self checking because they don't feel adequately equipped to do so. We have developed a range of training tools and presentations to assist with getting the right messages to workers."
Skin Patrol provides skin checks & one-on-one education to thousands of workers in a broad range of industries across Australia.
Unlike traditional skin clinics Skin Patrol derives no financial incentive from recommending skin cancer excisions or treatment.
The company developed the world's first mobile skin check program that involves teledermatology, a process that enables patients, including those in remote communities, access to diagnosis by a dermatologist.
Skin Patrol patients initially have their suspicious lesions reviewed in person by a general practitioner and if there are concerns, these are referred to one of Australia's most respected dermatologists, Dr Martin Haskett. Dr Haskett says "Skin Patrol delivers a world class service that focuses on expert medical diagnosis and comprehensive worker education".
Skin Patrol provides specific skin cancer industry reports such as mining and infrastructure as well as a general outdoor worker report to any company interested in providing skin checks or workplace education.
Skin Patrol
21-Nov-2007