by Belinda | Oct 27, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This year you can help fund life-changing research and support programs to provide hope for Australians living with lung cancer. To find out how you can get involved, please visit: https://shinealight.lungfoundation.com.au/
“In Australia, more than 13,810 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and almost 85% will be diagnosed at a late stage. It is our country’s most devastating cancer. While this is confronting, together we are making an undeniable impact on the future of lung cancer.
Thanks to research, treatment advancements in the last 20 years has seen lung cancer survival rates increase more than any other cancer. Now more than ever, we need to work together and build on the momentum we’ve created to drive real and lasting change. There is still more work ahead, and we can’t win this race without your ongoing support.”
(Source: Fundraise.lungfoundation.com.au/shinealightonlungcancer)
It’s important to know the symptoms of lung cancer as although lung cancer occurs mostly in people aged 60 and over, it can affect people of any age.
The Symptoms
- Coughing up blood
- New or changed cough that doesn’t go away
- Chest pain and/or shoulder pain or discomfort – the pain may be worse with coughing or deep breathing
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Hoarse voice
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chest infection that doesn’t go away
- Tiredness or weakness
Many conditions can cause these symptoms, not just lung cancer. Anyone can get lung cancer, even if they have never smoked. If you have any of these symptoms and they are persistent, talk to your doctor.
Despite being Australia’s biggest cancer killer, fundraising for life-changing research is devastatingly low. But where there is light there is hope. For more than a decade, Lung Foundation Australia’s Shine a Light on Lung Cancer campaign has raised money to support groundbreaking lung cancer research. To donate go to https://fundraise.lungfoundation.com.au/sponsor
by Belinda | Oct 27, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised
Changing the face of men’s health.
Movember – The origin.
“In 2003, two mates from Melbourne were having a quiet beer when their conversation turned to recurring fashion trends. The moustache, a fixture in past decades, was nowhere to be seen in recent trends. They joked about bringing it back. The two friends decided to talk their mates into growing a Mo. Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they decided to make the campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer. They designed the rules of Movember (which are still in place today) and agreed to charge ten dollars to grow a Mo. Trav designed the first Movember logo, and they sent around an email titled ‘Are you man enough to be my man?’ They found 30 guys willing to take up the challenge.”
“With the support of millions of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas from all over the world, Movember is working towards its vision: to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.” (Source:au.movember.com)
Join the challenge this month to raise awareness and funds for men’s health!
“Globally, men die on average 5 years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. Which means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives.” (Source: Movember.com.)
Movember is raising funds to support, research, fund and transforming the way health services reach and support men in the following areas.
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Movember (2022) top 5 things to know and do:
1. Spend time with people who make you feel good.
2. Talk more – being there for someone and listening can be lifesaving.
3. Know the numbers – at 50, talk to your doctor about screening for prostate cancer. If you have a family history, this conversation should start at 45.
4. ‘Know thy nuts – it’s simple’ – regularly check and see your doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
5. Move more – walk to meetings, ride to work, run in the mornings. It’s good for the body and mind.
How can you participate in Movember this month?
• Grow a Mo – to start the conversation.
• Move for Movember – Run or walk 60km over the month. That’s 60km for 60 men we lose to suicide each hour (globally) – sign up at https://au.movember.com/get-involved/move
• Host a ‘Mo-ment’ – rally a crew and do something fun to raise funds. https://au.movember.com/get-involved/host
• Mo Your Own Way – whether it’s a grueling test of physical endurance or some other wildcard idea. https://au.movember.com/get-involved/mo-your-own-way
• Donate – https://au.movember.com/donate
• Support the men at your workplace and book in health assessments with WHS Vic.
GIVE SUPPORT – GET SUPPORT
by Belinda | Oct 13, 2022 | Drug & Alcohol Testing, Health Assessments, Mental Health, Workplace Education
Know safety, work safely – encouraging everyone to make health and safety a priority in the workplace.
October is National Safe Work Month. The time of the year to commit to creating and managing safe and healthy workplace for all your employees.
Individuals, their families and the broader community are all impacted by work-related injury and illness. WorkSafe Victoria reported that 66 lives were lost in 2021 due to workplace injuries with an additional 23,000 workers being injured seriously enough to have a claim for compensation accepted.
This is why October is dedicated to being National Safe Work Month. During the month of October, businesses, employers and workers across Australia are asked to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians. There is more that we can do to improve workplace health and safety, and together we can make a difference. Every workplace needs to take the time to properly assess their health and safety risks and plan how to eliminate or manage them.
So, what does having a healthy and safe workplace mean? It means that your workplace is free from physical and psychological harm. It is a positive, safe environment that benefits everyone.
Ideas for National Safe Work Month you can implement in your workplace
- Encourage staff wellbeing – implement wellbeing programs
- Organise health talks & health eating programs
- Encourage physical activity
- Conduct a safety training workshop
- Implement a stretching & warm-up session prior to starting a shift
- Host a session with a guest speaker on safety
- Launching a new health and wellbeing initiative
- Host a morning tea focused on wellbeing
- Make mental health a priority in your workplace
- Reward safety awareness
To find out more, visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
To find out more about Work Safe Victoria’s WorkWell program visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/workwell
by Belinda | Aug 30, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised, Workplace Education
We are wishing to advise that effective as of August 01st 2022, the Geelong Medical Health Group (GMHG) has acquired the Occupational Health Screenings (Medicals) part of Mentor OHS Geelong.
This is a great opportunity for the GMHG as it complements and extends on the services we already have on offer at our Medical Centres and on-site through Workplace Health & Safety Vic.
Mentor Occupational Health Screening is now conveniently located at Myers Street Family Medical Practice, (148 Myers Street Geelong) and provides a range of services for pre-employment and railway medicals.
Services offered:
- Pre-Employment Medicals
- CAT 1/2/3 Rail Medicals
- Physio-Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Instant Drug & Alcohol Screen
- Audiology
- Spirometry
- ECG
- Immunisations
We also offer the below mobile service. These can be conducted at your workplace.
- Audiometry Testing
- Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Spirometry
Call us to find out more or to book an appointment. We can tailor a package to suit your needs.
Contact: Nikita – Mentor Occupational Health Screening
Mobile: 0476 500 654
Email: [email protected]
by Belinda | Aug 30, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised
Thursday 29th September 2022
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Australia, claiming the life of one person every 12 minutes. This equates to on average, 118 people dying of heart disease every day.
Did you know that three quarters of Australians are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD); with CVD affecting more than 4 million Australians?
This World Heart Day, (Thursday 29th September) do something to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of becoming a statistic.
World heart day is an international day that is used to raise public awareness of cardiovascular disease and the steps you can take to reduce your risk. The focus is on prevention and their worldwide effect.
Heart disease is a broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. It differs from cardiovascular disease as CVD includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels. (It includes any part of the cardiovascular system).
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be divided into two groups. Modifiable and non-modifiable. The Modifiable risk factors are ones that with changes to our lifestyle, can be improved. These include:
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Diet
- Being overweight or obese
- High blood pressure *
- High cholesterol *
* Sometimes These risk factors can also be considered non-modifiable.
Non modifiable risk factors are ones that we can’t change. These include:
- Family history (genetics)
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Diabetes
The Heart Foundation recommends the below 10 steps to protect your heart:
- Follow a heart healthy eating program
- Move more
- Be smoke-free
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink less alcohol
- Reduce stress
- Manage your cholesterol
- Manage your blood pressure
- Manage your blood sugar
- See your GP for a Heart Health Check
What does healthy eating to protect your heart look like?
We are told that healthy eating can improve our overall health and can also help protect our heart. So, what does that look like?
Below are some recommendations from the Heart Foundation.
- Enjoy a wide variety of fresh foods including vegetables, fruit and wholegrains
Fresh fruit and vegetables contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. Whole grains are full of fibre and can help lower your cholesterol.
- Include a variety of healthy protein-rich foods. (Plant-based proteins are better options). These have been shown to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
- Include milk, yoghurt and cheese in your diet. (Choose healthier options with no added sugars or flavours.)
- Include healthy fats and oils
- Limit your use of salt. Use herbs and spices to flavour foods instead
- Limit/reduce your intake of processed foods
- Avoid over-eating.
To donate to The Heart Foundation, click here – https://donate.heartfoundation.org.au
Feeling more motivated? Start preparing now for the Heart Foundations MyMarathon. Registrations are now open for MyMarathon – The fundraising race where you set the pace. www.mymarathon.com.au
by Belinda | Aug 30, 2022 | Health Assessments, Uncategorised
The 5th – 11th September this year, is the time to celebrate Women’s Health Week. It’s the one week of the year when we stop to focus on Women’s Health. Most importantly, we are encouraging all women across Australia to set aside some time for themselves to focus on their own health and wellbeing. Whist women can get stuck in the day to day routine of looking after their kids and families, this is the week to focus on you.
Use this week as an excuse to book in a health check, relax, take time for yourself, get active, start a fitness plan, join a group, or meet up with a friend. It’s a week to focus on your own health and wellbeing, however that may look.
It’s all about you!
Run by the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, National Women’s Health week is a campaign of events and online activities – all centred on improving women’s health and helping you make healthier choices. (Source : https://www.womenshealthweek.com.au)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women’s health across Australia though every life stage. (https://anmj.org.au)
To find out more about Women’s Health Week, go to https://www.womenshealthweek.com.au/the-week/.
Did you know that Workplace Health & Safety Vic can visit your workplace to conduct health assessments (screening for heart health, diabetes, cholesterol, body composition and more)? We also offer the services from our trusted Allied Health Professionals. Our dieticians can offer appointments or workplace presentations to your staff. Their presentations are filled with good tips, resources, and tips on living your healthiest life!
Whether you use this week to think about and take action of your health or that of a woman in your life, now’s the time.