Sunday 17th November 2002

THE TRUTH ABOUT TANNING 

In Australia we have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. There have been serious public health education programs in place since the emergence of the catchy TV  Ad campaign with the lisping singing seagull on 1980 telling us to SLIP SLOP SLAP . Since then the SUNSMART program has gone from strength to strength in changing community attitudes to  sun exposure.

But have people's attitudes changed recently ? Surveys were showing strong trends away from tanning behaviour but is the TAN making a comeback ? If so what is influencing people to risk their skin ? 

We'll be talking with  Craig Sinclair, the manager of  SUNSMART - about tanning, solariums and fake tans. We'll find out what is  safe and what is not . 

Also Professor Bruce Armstrong from the University of Sydney  School of Public Health will tell us the facts about skin cancer. He's spent 25 years studying Australians exposure to sun and risks of skin cancer. Is sunscreen protecting us from all skin cancer?  What is the best level of protection and how often should it be reapplied. Summer is just around the corner - its time to reinforce  the message about skin cancer prevention 

other sites of interest :- 

Better Health Channel info on Solariums 

SWIMWEAR

This time of the year the magazines start to show us what's in for summer ...........the photos of slender bodies sporting  skimpy pieces of lycra that look fabulous ..........    why is it that when I venture into the shop to try on the pair you spotted on the model that I suddenly understand why the word "costume" is used in the term swimming costume ........ because its really a fantasy to think these could look ok on me. Well after all we've followed the advice about NO TAN - so  the legs opalescent and  those wobbly bits certainly  seem more prominent than last year .Or is it the lighting in the change room - and are those mirrors borrowed form a circus hall of mirrors ? Why cant they use soft amber lights and nice curved mirrors ..........OK I know because when we got home to reality and tried them on again - we'd die a thousand deaths.

So what IS the fashion on Aussie beaches going to be this year . What is your preference in the aussie cossie, bathers, swimmers, togs, speedos, board shorts , tankinis ,bikini,  ............or maybe just the  big teeshirt chucked over the old faithful ?

Deborah Thomas is  the  editor of the  Australiian Women’s Weekly , a former model  and an older first time mum ! This year she was awarded the prestigious Magazine Publishers of Australia Award for Editor or the Year with  her magazine winning the Gold trophy for magazine of the year. Deb knows ! And she will tell us about the Summer 2002-3 trends for women ( and men ) .

Holly Trethowan is a  swimwear expert  from " Waterlily" in  Noosa. Her shop sells mix and match swimwear to accentuate your good bits and cover up the not so .

OK,now that we've dispensed with the tan and checked out our  swimwear  options maybe ,its ironic that our next topic is  ......

LIPOSUCTION

How does this procedure work? Who is suitable? Who is not?

We'll find out when Mr Alan Breidahl ,a plastic surgeon and member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, joins us in the studio to discuss this procedure .  The ASPS website has some great  info on liposuction  listed under procedures  - well worth a visit

DISEASE OF THE WEEK 

HERPES  

This week coming is International Herpes Awareness Week

Herpes Simplex is a family of viruses - it has two well known cousins - they are called Type 1 and Type 2.  These two viruses both cause a skin condition in humans which has come typical characteristics - These viruses are both  acquired through skin to skin contact from someone who is infected. They both cause blisters and ulcers which are usually painful but clear up spontaneously after about a week or so. Once infected there is no cure. Both viruses track up the nerves that supply the area of skin they initially  infect and  live there dormant until something triggers them to wake up and trek back down the nerve intermittently causing recurrence of the skin lesions. Medication is available to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. 

Strangely they are very similar in their behaviour but equally strangely depending on where on the body you are affected they either are considered a little bit of a nuisance or for some, a devastating blow that can affect the way they view relationships ! Also depending on where on your body you are infected medication may or may not attract government subsidy under the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme 

8 in 10 Australians have been infected by the Herpes type 1 virus 

1 in 8  Sexually Active Adults  have been infected by the  the type 2 virus  

Usually we associate type 1 with cold sores around the mouth and type 2 with genital herpes. But the truth is that either can affect you above or below the waist . 

This coming week is International Herpes Week.  Joining me on the telephone from Canada will be  the world authority on Herpes,  Dr Steve Sacks 

Also joining me in the studio is De Joe Sasadeuz an Australian expert who under Dr Sacks.

also visit     www.herpes.com.au 

This week I will be speaking in the media about the issues surrounding herpes in capacity as a spokesperson for  Herpes week.

Disclosure from Dr Feelgood  - In my capacity as a professional speaker  I receive a fee for my role as spokesperson for Herpes Week from pharmaceutical company Novartis. 

In this arrangement  I  ONLY promote the issues surrounding the infection and I am in no way  associated with promoting or endorsing  any particular medication or company. 

Part of my fee will be given to  assisting Herpes support groups.

2002 SALVOS CHRISTMAS ALBUM RELEASED 

The annual star studded  "Spirit of Christmas " CD is released today Julie Anthony, will  be joining us to tell us all about the album  and its launch celebrations 

 proceeds go to further the fabulous work of the Salvation Army .

AUTISM

Last week there was an inaugural world conference on Autism held in  Melbourne. Researchers, health workers, carers, clients,  family and friends from all over the world met to discuss causes, diagnosis treatment, partnerships and strategies to tackle this difficult condition. 

There is a website with information about the proceedings of the conference at http://www.autismcongress.com/

In the studio we will be joined by Max and his dad Steve. Max has autism. Also Dianne Bailey - Tribe who is  the Manager, Irabina Childhood Autism Services, Victoria. Dianne spoke at the conference.

SURELY NOT MILK ?

Milk has been in the press this week with claims of association with Autism , heart disease and others . We'll try and clear up this milky controversy and talk to Prof Gary Jennings of the Baker Heart Research Institute

JOHN MARSDEN - AUTHOR  

John Marsden is  the world acclaimed children's author. His fiction  is consumed voraciously by adolescents. However there is another side to John's writing. In 1998 published the controversial "Secret Men's Business" .  The book became a best seller and he received letters from people all over Australia. Many of these letters were from single mothers who were worrying about  bringing up their  sons in the absence of a male role model. In response to this John has just published his latest book  THE BOY YOU BROUGHT HOME ,a  single mothers guide to raising sons ".Where he has put together what seem to be  the top 101 points needed to bring up a boy ! 

Only a few days ago he  was made a patron of Mensline, the Australia wide telephonehe 24 hour 7 day a week number for Mensline is

  1300 78 99 78 

MAKING YOUR HOUSE SAFER 

An old saying suggests our home should be our castle. But it can also be a danger  zone. Not only from intruders but dangers that lurk within - especially as we age.. Slippery tiles or baths, inadequate railing steep or uneven steps can result in serious injury. We 'll discuss these issues with Karen Roberts who is an Occupational Therapist. show runs courses in Home Modification and can tell us some simple things that can make our homes safer  - not from intruders but from the dangers already there ! 

 Karen Bull is the  Age-Safe Co-ordinator Peninsula Health and  is responsible for the falls prevention program. Falls can result in fractures that can change  cause an older person to lose their independence. Steps should be taken to ensure that people wishing live independently can do so in the safest environment. Simple measures and modifications can achieve this

Personal alarms are becoming important as people age to give them the feeling of security should something happen preventing them moving to a phone. These alarms are worn like pendants and a press of the button sets a chain of events in motion.