Are Tattoo's Becoming A Health Risk?

BY TYLER FARDELL

What was once associated with 'colourful' characters in society, tattoo's have become a part of mainstream culture, largely popularised by professional sports players and celebrities.

 The Hunter like the rest of the country is in the midst of a tattoo craze and more and more people are choosing to decorate their body with ink artwork.

However, health and skin experts are voicing their concerns about the phenomenon, particularly looking at sleeve and large-scale tattoo's.

"Large-scale tattoo's in areas where moles are common makes it harder for dermatologists to identify any signs of skin cancer", Cancer Council NSW Hunter regional manager Shayne Connell said.

Cancer Council's concerns were raised after numerous scenarios of doctors unable to find any signs of skin cancer on a patient, with tattoo's hiding the skin changes.

Mr Connell's views are shared with other health experts who are worried tattoo's could result in more late detections of skin cancer and a grim outcome.

"People should consult their GP before getting an extensive tattoo and those concerned should avoid it altogether", Mr Connell said.

While doctors struggle to find the signs of skin cancer hidden amongst the artwork, a new concern about tattoos is spreading.

A recent study from European scientists found that some toxic chemicals found in tattoo ink can travel inside the body and end up in Lymph nodes, including Chronium and Nickel.

"Although there is no established direct link between tatto ink and certain cancers, the risk of tattoo-induced tumours cannot be totally excluded", Mr Connell said.

It's expected the tattoo craze will only continue to grow unless any hard evidence is found linking the ink with cancers.

Tattoo's have become increasingly popular among sports celebrities.

Survey Shows NSW Adults are Confused About What Causes Sunburn

ARIANA GATTI

With the arrival of Spring, NSW Cancer Council are concerned after the results their National Sun Survey showed for NSW and the Hunter general public.

The results from the survey revealed that at least 35% of adults did not realise that UV rays and radiation is the single cause of sunburn, and is the major cause of skin cancer.

Hunter residents are asked to think about the lone environmental cause of a sunburn, and understand heat and humidity does not burn the skin.

Hunter Community Coordinator for Cancer Council NSW, SUSAN RUSSELL, says
“UV rays are high enough to damage our skin even on cooler days in spring, so, if we’re relying on temperature to work out whether we need to protect our skin or not, we’re making a big mistake”.

“Don’t wait for summer to protect your skin. Get into the habit of checking your local sun protection times every day, which forecasts when UV is expected to reach damaging levels of three or higher,” Ms Russell continued.

Image sourced: http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/65500/research/research-funding-governance-and-ethics/funded-research/information-for-funded-researchers/

Rural men at higher cancer risk

Hunter men are being encouraged to have their prostate checked after a study from Cancer Council NSW reveled rural men have a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer than their major city counter parts.

The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, showed rural while overall survival rates had improved, rural men were 32% more likely to die from prostate cancer then men in major cities.

"There is a couple of reasons [for the disparity] we think that early detection really is a big contributor to these different rates, but also the distance to treatment is quite a barrier," said Shayne Connell, Regional Manager, Cancer Council NSW.

Survival rates increased from 57 to 84 percent but the inequity between rural and city patients was still prominent.

"Across the board we've had about 700 deaths in rural men over a 15 year period," Mr Connell said.

All men, particularly those with a family history of cancer, are encouraged to visit their doctor or call the Cancer Council help line on 13 11 20

Leading Australian singers band together for breast cancer (Video)

A new campaign launched today aims to remind Hunter women about DIY breast examinations

The "I Touch Myself" project, supported by Cancer Council NSW, is using Chrissy Amphlett's hit song to promote women's health

Part of the project includes a music video of the song covered by leading Australia female artists including, Sarah Blasko, Kate Ceberano, and Olivia Newton John who has had her own battle with the disease.

In the Hunter, 400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, 60 of will pass away from the disease

Shayne Connell, from the Council, says the the song will be available on iTunes

Watch the video here