Great Western Branch Health Bulletin #2
8 October 2020Welcome to the members only page
18 February 2021
Your Health & Safety leads are
Cervical cancer, more information at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/
Testicular cancer, more information at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/
Melanoma skin cancer, more information at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/
CERVICAL CANCER
Every year 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. It is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. Cervical cancer forms in the cells that line the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) which joins to the top end of the vagina.
Cervical cancer may not have symptoms in the early stages but it can be prevented through regular cervical screening (smear test). This procedure involves a small sample of cells taken from the cervix and tested for the high risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
All women are invited from the age of 25 to 50 every 3 years and 50 to 64 every 5 years. Your G.P. will send out an invite but if you have been missed, ring them up or you can attend a well women’s clinic. Below are some links for further information.
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/
A very good information site which includes videos of personal stories
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer
NHS site with tons of information and contacts
5 minutes is all it takes. Attend yours!
Types of testicular cancer
The different types of testicular cancer are classified by the type of cells the cancer begins in. The most common type of testicular cancer is germ cell testicular cancer, which accounts for around 95% of all cases. Germ cells are a type of cell that the body uses to create sperm.
There are 2 main subtypes of germ cell testicular cancer. They are:
- seminomas – which have become more common in the past 20 years and now account for 40 to 45% of testicular cancers
- non-seminomas – which account for most of the rest and include teratomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas and yolk sac tumours
You can contact the cancer support specialists at Macmillan for more information about Leydig cell tumour and Sertoli cell tumours.
The Macmillan helpline number is 0808 808 00 00, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Read more about Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
How common is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer, accounting for just 1% of all cancers that occur in men. Around 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK.
MELANOMA
Winter is here and the summer just around the corner. Has the sun left a sinister and possible lethal present with you? Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer with around 2,347 people between 2015 & 2017.
Common places to develop Melanoma in men are the back and chest, and in women legs and arms.
Any changes to moles should be checked by a doctor. The ABCDE guide is an easy way to remember some of the most common things to look for.
Always use adequate sunscreen even on those sunny winter days. Please check yourselves for any moles or changes in your skin and if in doubt get in touch with your G.P .and get it checked out https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/
