General News
31 October, 2023
Skin checks are popular
WITH summer just ahead of us, now is the time to check your skin for any spots, freckles, moles or markings which may have, especially those that may be changing shape or look a little suspicious.
WITH summer just ahead of us, now is the time to check your skin for any spots, freckles, moles or markings which may have, especially those that may be changing shape or look a little suspicious.
Timboon Lions Club is hosting a skin screening van over two days in conjunction with the Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation Inc.
This van has been designed specifically for professionally trained volunteer dermoscopists to identify any changes to your skin that may need referring on to each attendees GP.
All outcomes of the visitation are treated with the utmost respect and privacy.
Club member Sylvia Micallef encouraged residents to take get a skin check if the opportunity arises.
“I was delighted that the Lions Cancer Foundation asked Timboon Lions Club to hosts its Skin Cancer Check van,” she said.
“Personally I was able to avail myself of this free service at a Lions Convention held in Ballarat several years ago.
“I had some spots that were concerning me and by taking advantage of the service I was able to set my mind at rest.”
Ms Micallef said her brother-in-law had received a positive skin cancer test.
“It so happens that my brother-in-law, who worked in the building industry and was a keen fisherman, had tests done many years ago that proved positive,” she said.
“He had no severe symptoms and only underwent the examination because a close friend of his had symptoms that proved to be advanced.
“Fortunately, because of my brother-in-law’s early diagnosis and treatment his life was extended by many years.”
Ms Micallef said records from similar programs show around 26 per cent of those people screened were referred to their GP.
“Thirteen per cent of those screened have suspected life threatening lesions,” she said.
“Therefore, I cannot recommend too strongly that our local community takes advantage of this magnificent and vital volunteer service.”
The free Skin Cancer Check service in Timboon has been fully subscribed.