Dear Sir... Readers' Views (11/06/16)
Trials of getting to hospital
Hospital transport, a HSE facility, was cut by the Government a couple of years ago.
So, now, patients must make their own way to hospital for appointments.
Well, today I had to go to Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, from Greystones, Co Wicklow. It cost me €120 for the round trip. It would have cost €150, but the taxi man gave me a reduction.
I had asked the HSE to help (they have discretionary powers to do so. I have this in writing). They refused. I fought hard for three weeks. They still said no.
I’ve only ever asked twice, both times recently. Being in a wheelchair, and sick and disabled, in this heat, I could not go on public transport. The HSE manager gave me phone numbers of two companies who taxi wheelchair users at discount fares. Well, one was not operating outside the Dublin area, and the second fare was not that much of a ‘discount’.
I asked muscular dystrophy Ireland and Cheshire if they could help. They said sorry, but their vans were in use (they do try to help, if they can, but it’s rarely, as their transport is used a lot).
I asked the volunteer driver groups... none available. My neighbour would have taken me, but has no car at present. But she came with me in the taxi.
Now, €120 (€150) is a lot of money on a disability pension. This is where we are at, in Ireland. The health service is crumbling and what’s available is a struggle to get. Some people accuse me of ‘complaining’, not being ‘positive’, but I actually care about all sick, elderly, and disabled people who suffer ‘medical deprivation.’
I will scream about it. This is outrageous. That people on low incomes/ benefits must fork out €120 (€150) just to get to a precious hospital appointment is unacceptable.
Complaining about, protesting and fighting medical deprivation, neglect, hardship, is a moral duty.
Too few are prepared to do it.
I wrote to Health Minister Simon Harris, Greystones’ own, about the cuts to home help and PAs for the elderly... he never replied. So, I doubt I can influence him on this Issue.
If we don’t fight, nothing will change. People will suffer. We can’t stand by and watch. To the people who say I should be more positive, the most positive thing I can do is not be a medical doormat!
Musical request may fall on deaf ears
A British organisation called Pipe Down has been campaigning against the toneless, mindless mood music being blasted at us in shopping centres, stores, supermarkets and even hotel dining rooms. Business owners have been conned into believing that this creates an atmosphere in which shoppers are hyped-up and buy more. Finally, the penny has dropped and Marks and Spencer have agreed to stop playing this stuff in all its stores. Other outlets please copy.
My only fear is that after being subjected to this loud assault for so long, my appeal may, understandably, fall on deaf ears!
Death is a reality from skin cancer
Valerie O’Connor’s article (Irish Examiner, Property supplement, In the Garden section, June 4) is misleading and inaccurate. O’Connor argues for the benefits of vitamin D consumption. However, in doing so she also promotes unsafe sunbed use and sun exposure.
O’Connor is correct in stating that we need vitamin D and, yes, small amounts of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun are essential for the production of vitamin D.
The Irish Cancer Society does not advise people to stay out of the sun or avoid it, but, rather, to take care and protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays when in the sun.
The 81% increase in skin cancer in Ireland since 1994 is primarily the result of over-exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and from sunbeds.
Every year in Ireland, 10,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer. It is the most common cancer in this country.
While Vitamin D is important for the development of healthy bone, muscles and teeth, as well as general health, the society advises that people follow the World Health Organisation Intersun recommendations and get five to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure to hands, face, and arms two to three times a week during the summer. Never let skin redden or burn, and at all times follow the SunSmart Code (www.cancer.ie/sunsmart), which includes using sunscreen.
Those looking to increase vitamin D intake should eat plenty of foods that contain vitamin D, including egg yolks, fish, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D, such as some milks, breakfast cereals and margarines.
O’Connor’s assertion that five minutes on a sunbed can eradicate symptoms of a common cold is extremely dangerous.
There is no evidence that sunbeds can cure colds. One sunbed session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 67% and basal cell skin cancer by 29%.
Even more worrying is the increased risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
If you use a sunbed, your risk of melanoma increases by 20% and if you use one before the age of 35, your risk of melanoma increases to 60%.
O’Connor says that we have been scared to death by figures of skin cancer, but 167 people in Ireland died from skin cancer in 2014. Less trivialisation of skin cancer, and more responsible information on sun exposure, would be useful.
Skin cancer can be prevented in nine out of 10 cases, but following O’Connor’s advice will not be beneficial in this regard.
Dangerous advice about sunbathing
I would like to correct some erroneous, and potentially dangerous, statements in your newspaper, recently. They were in the article ‘Safe sunbathing — Why we need to get out a bit more in the healthy sunshine’ (Irish Examiner, Property supplement, June 4)
Contrary to what was suggested, the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons (IAPS) would strongly endorse the use of sunscreens, and the use of other measures to prevent skin cancer.
“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Just over 10,000 new cases were diagnosed in this country in 2013. Most cases are caused by UV rays from the sun.” This is a quote directly taken from the website of the Irish Cancer Society.
These numbers far, far exceed the annual numbers of patients diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.
Every day, members of IAPS treat patients with skin cancer. It is probably the single most common condition treated by plastic surgeons in Ireland. It is of the utmost importance that members of the public take sun precautions, if we are to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Ireland.
The incidence of the two commonest forms of skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinoma) has been significantly reduced in Australia, because of the very successful public health campaign ‘Slip, Slap, Slop’, which originated in the 1980s. The slogan means ‘Slip on a shirt, slop on the 30+ sunscreen, slap on a hat’. It is deeply concerning that the article suggests that a rise in skin cancer is linked to a rise in the use of sunscreens. An important scientific study, published as far back as 2002, concluded that skin cancer increases could not be associated with the use of sun creams, and recommended continued use of sun-protection campaigns as a means of reducing melanoma risk.
While there is no evidence that sun creams cause cancer, there is substantial scientific evidence confirming that skin cancers are caused by exposure to sun.
Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the commonest forms of skin cancer and are largely attributable to sun exposure.
This does not simply mean exposure abroad, in hotter climates. Skin cancer is particularly common in those who spend time outdoors, through work or leisure. It is most commonly due to the ordinary, everyday, cumulative sun exposure experienced in Ireland. One does not need to become sunburnt to have received a dangerous dose of sun exposure. Those in outdoor occupations, such as walkers, gardeners, golfers, sailors and cyclists, are strongly urged to use sun protection, even on dull days.
For the same reasons, the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons would strongly advise against the use of sunbeds.
Melanoma is a more serious form of skin cancer and often related to a history of sun-burn in childhood. The Irish Cancer Registry shows a higher-than-expected incidence of melanoma along the south and east coast. It’s lower in the northwest. This increased incidence is directly related to the hours of sunshine per annum (1,800 hours per annum in Waterford and Wexford, compared to 1,400 in the northwest).
There is no scientific evidence to back the irresponsible suggestion that coconut oil, or buttermilk, would suffice as sun protection.
The World Health Organisation advice, regarding vitamin D, is to get 5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure to hands, face and arms, two to three times a week, during the summer months. This can be stored by the body for 30-60 days, and can be supplemented in the winter months with foods that contain vitamin D, and supplements, if warranted. This level of sun exposure happens during the normal daily routine, whether that be nipping to the shop, or collecting the children, or waiting at a bus stop, and is enough to make a difference. Quoting from the Irish Cancer Society website, “extra time outdoors doesn’t equal more vitamin D, but it does increase skin-cancer risk”.
No-one would deny the feel-good factor we are enjoying with the current good weather. Using sun protection allows us all to experience it, and address our vitamin D, while keeping our risk of developing some type of skin cancer as low as possible.
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