Fieldays helps save lives one skin check at a time
Three before lunchtime: Cases of early onset melanoma are being detected at Fieldays’ Health and Wellbeing centre.
Three cases of early onset melanoma were diagnosed before noon on day one of Fieldays at the Health and Wellbeing centre. That comes after 10 cases were diagnosed there last year.
New Zealand has the world’s highest rate of melanoma, according to Health Promotion Agency and the Melanoma Network of New Zealand.
Seven people a day are diagnosed a day with melanoma in New Zealand and on average nearly 500 kiwis die from skin cancer every year.
“Last year we found 10 cases [of melanoma] and this year we have found three so far,” said First Check exhibitor Hayden Laird.
Laird said that First Check is all about facilitating access and raising awareness to get people to have regular skin checks.
First Check has a downloadable app for Android and Apple that has access to skin doctors online, meaning they’re available anywhere and any time, giving people the tools and technology to complete regular skin checks.
“The [Health] Minister outside was just talking about how the Fieldays saved lives last year,” Laird said. “It was nice to get some sort of recognition for our work.”
Laird emphasised that there are doctors available for free checks.
Oamaru farmer Andrew Richardson said that he has used the Health and Wellbeing centre services and found them very helpful.
“I work 12 hours a week as a volunteer ambo [paramedic] so I am very aware of health issues,” Richardson said.
“Farmers are outside in the sun a lot and are often isolated,” said Mole Maps employee Ashleigh Hutchinson. “They have this ‘she’ll be right’ mentality but it’s important to have regular skin checks.”
Hutchinson said that while the First Check app is an innovative idea, it should not be the only form of medical advice people receive, and said they should go to a doctor to have a full body mole map.
“The most common place for women to have melanoma is on the back of their legs,” Hutchinson said. “It’s important to get regular checks because melanoma can occur in places you can’t see.”
Early detection is important for 100 per cent survival. Anyone with concerns should seek advice from their doctor or skin specialist.
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