NHS health trainers, from the local NHS Health Trainer Service, will be at the event to explain how easy it is to arrange for a personal health trainer and how they can help you make changes, to improve your health and lifestyle.  Health trainers can provide realistic and practical assistance with:

• Healthy eating and weight management
• Stopping smoking
• Sensible drinking
• Improve wellbeing by reducing stress
• Improving fitness by becoming more physically active

During the open day event, NHS health trainers will also offer the following checks:

• BMI (body mass index) calculated by taking height and weight
• Blood pressure
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) screening (works out lung capacity and age)

The NHS health trainer service is free, non judgmental, confidential and quick and easy to access.

Adopting a healthier lifestyle will bring benefits for your body and mind, but it can be hard to achieve on your own.  An NHS health trainer can help you to develop your own personal health plan and provide the motivation and support to stick to it.

The open day event, organised by Castle Point and Rochford Local Strategic Partnership, will bring together dozens of local organisations who work together to make improvements for local people, these include; NHS health bodies; the police; fire service and other local service providers.

Open to all local residents, the open day event will provide people with the opportunity to find out how they can access advice and local services available to them.

For more information about this free service, contact your local NHS Health Trainer Service on 01702 461377,

The chances of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Although prostate cancer can sometimes occur in younger men, most cases develop in men aged 65 or older. Incidence of prostate cancer tends to be higher in Black African and Afro Caribbean men and those with a family history of the disease.

As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, NHS South East Essex is urging local residents to ensure that they are aware of any noticeable symptoms and to seek advice.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Not all men get symptoms and not all men have exactly the same symptoms. The first signs (which are also symptoms of non-cancer prostate disease) are usually problems urinating:

• Needing to urinate more frequently, often during the night
• Needing to rush to the toilet to pass urine
• Difficulty in starting to urinate or pee (hesitancy)
• Straining or taking a long time while urinating
• Weak flow
• Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
• Blood in the urine (but this is rare)

Other symptoms may include:

• Bone and back pain
• Pain when urinating or ejaculating
• Pain in the testicles
• Weight loss

Margaret Gray, Associate Director of Public Health for NHS South East Essex said:

“If you have any of these symptoms, I would encourage you to go to your GP so these can be investigated. Please do not let possible
embarrassment cause delay in seeking advice. Early diagnosis and detection can improve men’s chances of successful treatment.

The causes of prostate cancer are still unclear, but as with many types of cancer, adopting a healthier lifestyle – stopping smoking, a healthy
diet rich in fruit and vegetables and regular physical activity – can reduce risk.”

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small gland found only in men. It is below the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. It surrounds the tube that carries urine from the bladder (the urethra). It produces some of the fluid in semen, and is important to a man’s sex life.

The prostate may get bigger as men get older. This causes no problems for two out of three men over 50. But if the prostate gets bigger it can press on the urethra and cause urinary symptoms. This is called benign prostate disease or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It usually affects men over 50 but is not cancer, and it is treatable.

However, in some men these symptoms are caused by the abnormal growth of prostate cells, which results in prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Help and Advice

• The Prostate Cancer Charity’s forum is an online community where people with prostate cancer and their carers, family and friends can discuss the condition.
• NHS National Screening Committee’s
• The Prostate Cancer Charity / 0800 074 8383 to speak to a specialist nurse
• UK Prostate Link

Here is a message from Breast Cancer Care in the UK:

“Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK with nearly 46,000 people diagnosed every year. The chances are that most of your audience will have been touched by the disease in some way, and during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October we need you to keep talking about it.

By doing this you can help us raise the money we need to help people affected by the disease by bringing them together, providing them with information and support, and campaigning for improved standards of care. You also help us to let everyone who’s touched by the disease know we’re here.

Every product and fundraising venture in this pack raises money so that we can continue providing our free services. Our helpline and website are a lifeline to the thousands of people who contact us every year with fears, concerns and questions about breast cancer. We don’t receive statutory funding so we rely wholly on the generosity of our supporters.

And by raising awareness of breast cancer this October, we can remind thousands of women to be breast aware, which can ultimately lead to earlier detection and better results from treatment.

On behalf of Breast Cancer Care, and the women and men we support, thank you for keeping breast cancer in the public eye.”

Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive, Breast Cancer Care

Learn how to check your breasts for signs of cancer here.

Breast Cancer Charities and Organizations:

• Breast Cancer Care (UK) – “We want every person affected by breast cancer to get the best treatment, information and support.”
• Breastcancercampaign.org (UK) – “Breast Cancer Campaign’s mission is to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.”
• Cancerresearchuk.org (UK) – “Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of breast cancer research in the UK.”
• Thebreastcancersite.com (USA) – “The Breast Cancer Site was founded to help fund free mammograms for women in need — women for whom early detection would not otherwise be possible. Since its launch in October 2000, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism and in the fight to prevent breast cancer deaths.”
• Breakthrough.org.uk (UK) – “a pioneering charity, which is changing and saving lives through research, campaigning and education by removing the fear of breast cancer for good.”
• nbcam.org (USA) – The Official National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization.
• Komen.org (USA) – “provide up-to-the-minute information about breast cancer research, local outreach programs and volunteer opportunities, public policy initiatives, events, including Race for the Cure® and Komen programs and partners.”

Jon Wade, Founder of MotleyHealth

What Is Movember?

Movember was created by a couple of Aussies in 2003 who wanted to make moustaches popular again and also do something to create more awareness of men’s health issues. The idea is that the moustache is a badge to be worn for a month in the same way that many people wear a pink badge to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month.

In 2004 the campaign started to focus on Prostate Cancer as this is the main cancer that affects men. Although the Mo Bros do not mention it, Frank Zappa, who had a very distinctive moustache, died from prostate cancer.

How Does Movember Work?

It is very simple (us guys like it that way). You start the month of November clean shaven and then grow a moustache from there. You can sign up to the Movember.com website to create your donations page where you can add photos. There others can rate your moustache (please rate mine) and donate. You obviously gain none of the donations yourself, it all goes to charity.

Which Charities Does Movember Support?

Movember supports cancer charities all over the World, and where you are located determine which charities your profile will send funds to. Here are just a few of them:

• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
• Cancer Society (New Zealand)
• Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
• Beyond Blue – National Depression Initiative (Australia)
• Prostate Cancer Foundation – USA
• LIVESTRONG – USA
• The Prostate Cancer Charity – UK
• Everyman (Institute of Cancer Research) – UK
• Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada (Canada)

It may be too late for you to become a Mo Bro this year, but it is not too late to donate.

Oxfam

Oxfam is now an international movement that consists of 14 different organizations that operate in 98 countries around the world. Oxfam works with large scale health projects helping those in the most desperate need. It was founded in 1942 and it started as  charity for campaign for famine relief during the Second World War for those trapped behind allied blockades.

Oxfam does most of its fund raising through charity shops and also has many fund raisers each year who run the London Marathon.

To learn more visit their website, Oxfam International. They also have a series of Oxfam International Blogs where they highlight news and events from around the World as well as talk about their projects.

Many people organize physical endurance events around the World to raise money for Oxfam. The latest one that we are aware of is the 100km walk in Australia as part of the Oxfam Trailwalkers. One example of a small group that are doing their bit is the Foreign Legion team in Australia. You can find their TrailWalking fund-raising page here: www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/Melbourne/team/350

Access Sport

Access Sport is a UK charity that quite simply helps people to access sport. It’s motto is “Transforming lives through sport”.

Access Sport was founded in 2004 and funds sports clubs and training to children in disadvantaged areas of the UK. They have many ambassadors from British sports and athletics who campaign for them, such as James Cracknell (Olympic rower with Sports Science degree), David James (ex England goalkeeper), Josh Lewsey (British Lions, England and London rugby), Mark Foster (champion swimmer) and Dr. Steph Cook (Pentathlon Champion).

What Do Access Sport Do?

Access Sport uses sports to engage young people in healthy activities and to help get kids off the streets where they may fall into gangs. It provides young people with much needed role models and gives them the resources they need to pursue a variety of sports. In towns such as Bristol it has helped to set up boxing clubs which have resulted in a marked reduction in local gang problems, similar to the results discussed here in Martial Arts Classes Teach Children Self Discipline and Improve Character.

Access Sport runs SportsJam events which showcase many sports at public festivals.

They also raise money through bike rides, charity runs and the Access Sport Gym Challenge, as well as an annual dinner event and sports quizzes.

Visit their website www.accesssport.org.uk to learn more.

Sightsavers works across the World to help prevent avoidable blindness and also to promote equality for those that have suffered from blindness.

We all take our sight for granted and if you are like most people you just cannot imagine what it would be like to lose your sense of vision. Of all the senses sight is the one that people least want to lose. Coping without taste or smell would be bearable, deafness is more difficult socially, however loss of sight is most difficult to cope with.

Independence is often lost for many people when their sight is lost. Many blind people remain housebound for their entire lives.

Type 2 Diabetes and Sight

The fastest growing cause of blindness is due to the increasing rates of Type 2 Diabetes. Few people who allow themselves to become severely overweight consider the long term health risks associated with increased body fat.

Type 2 Diabetes is directly related to diet and activity levels and one of the result is a loss of sight.

“Diabetic retinopathy is a well recognised complication of diabetes mellitus.” www.sightsavers.org

Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80% of people who have had diabetes for over 10 years (Kertes and Johnson, 2007).

It is thought that around 45% people suffering from diabetes already have started to develop diabetic retinopathy.

However, with regular eye tests around 90% of these cases can be treated and blindness can be prevented.

As type 2 diabetes continues to affect more people as a result of the ongoing obesity crisis this charity is providing an excellent service to help save the sight of thousands of people across the globe.

Other Causes of Blindness

Other typical causes of blindess that Sightsavers treat include:

• Cateracts - the clouding of the lens
• River Blindness - caused by a worm that is common in Western Africa. Medical treatment is available.
• Trachoma - linked to poor sanitation and severe lack of hygiene.
• Glaucoma - the 3rd biggest cause of blindness in the world.

Sightsavers also help people with poor vision to improve mobility and independence.

The Work of Sightsavers

Sightsavers work on many levels. They provide health workers to examine and treat people to prevent problems before they develop. They work with the blind by teaching skills to help to increase independence.

They work in the community to help educate children about the issues surrounding blindness and also to teach them how to avoid it with good hygiene and health. Much of their work is in building community partnerships that are both practical and sustainable. You can learn more here: www.sightsavers.org/our_work/how_we_help

How You Can Help

There are many ways that you can help, Sight Savers organise fundraising events and provide many resources on their website.  If you wish to donate now you can do so here:

• www.sightsavers.org/support_us/make_a_donation

There are many other ways to support them, which they list here:

• www.sightsavers.org/support_us

Sightsavers Website: www.sightsavers.org

Other sight / blindness charities and organizations include:

• www.rnib.org.uk - Royal National Institute of Blind People
• www.guidedogs.org.uk - Guide Dogs for the Blind
• www.worldblindunion.org - WBU brings together major national and international organizations of blind persons and those providing services to them.

References

Kertes PJ, Johnson TM, ed (2007). “Evidence Based Eye Care”. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-6964-7

Red Cross and Red Nose Day

When I used to work in a city office it was common for people to raise funds for charity on a Friday. However, I am not in a position to shake a bucket at all of you, so instead each week we shall look at a different charity.

The main focus for the charities we shall showcase will be ones that provide a health service, with emphasis on those that help people to get fit and lose weight to improve health. Sports charities and social groups will also hopefully be featured.

However, due to the crisis in Japan in the last week and the fact that it is “Red Nose Day” today in the UK, we shall off start by looking at The Red Cross and Comic Relief.

The Red Cross

The Red Cross are a global charity that provides emergency aid to people in crisis. They are usually the first aid on a scene and provide everything from water and blankets to medicine and shelter.

The Red Cross started by providing humanitarian help in war zones in 1863 but have since started using their resources and networks for aid in natural disasters too. There are now many branches to the Red Cross. The division of the Red Cross which deals with emergencies is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Also, the Red Cross has national offices in most countries, and these come under the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Examples include the Japanese Red Cross, which have been organising aid in the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan at the moment. If you wish to donate direct to the Japanese Red Cross you can do so using Google donation page – this will convert your currency into Japanese Yen automatically and so get money to Japan quicker and with lower fees.

The British Red Cross who have worked extensively overseas in major disasters as well as working with HIV and tuberculosis across Africa and Asia. It also provides safe drinking water in many African countries.

The American Red Cross, also called the American National Red Cross, provides disaster relief within the USA. As well as disaster relief in America the American Red Cross also provides community services and aid for the needy, counselling for the military and their families, it manages blood donations and also  provides educational programs on preparedness, health, and safety. It also provides some international relief and development programs.

Comic Relief and Red Nose Day

Red Nose Day is Comic Relief’s biennial charity event in the UK where people do fun things to raise money for a wide range of charities, both in the UK and internationally.

Comic Relief was founded in 1988 to provide aid during the famine in Ethiopia. Since then it runs an annual Red Nose Day that aims to increase awareness about global problems and raises money to provide aid.

The official website is www.comicrelief.com

Sport Relief

In 2002 Comic Relief started Sport Relief, a series of fund raising events for the sporting community. Sport Relief and Comic Relief alternate each year. 2011 is a Comic Relief year, and today is Red Nose Day for Comic Relief.

In 2009 Eddie Izzard ran 1000 miles for Sport Relief (aired during the 2010 Sport Relief show). Other television celebrities have swam the English Channel (David Walliams), rowing the length of the Amazon (Helen Skelton).

All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.

The official website is www.sportrelief.com

Update:

In March 2011 Comic Relief raised over than £74.3m (equivalent to US$117m), the highest figure reached on the night of the show in its 23-year history.

If you are in the UK it may not be too late to text “Yes” to 70010 to donate £10 to comic relief. The whole £10 goes to charity, nothing taken by the organizers.

The Michael Phelps Foundation has committed $100,000 to start Level Field Fund, which is a scheme to increase funds available to talented swimmers in need of financial assistance.

If you are a swimmer and feel that you may be able to benefit from this fund then send your application. Applications Received by September 15, 2010, will be Evaluated for Funding This Year.

How Did The Level Field Fund Start?

Ross Powers is an Olympic Gold Medalist and the founder of the Ross Powers Foundation and the Level Field Fund. He grew up in a single-parent household with limited financial resources. Despite his talent, drive, and commitment, he would not have had the chance to succeed in the sport of snowboarding without generous financial support from individuals in his community.

For this reason he set about forming the Level Field Fund to give all athletes a chance to compete on a “level playing field” and to hopefully take elitism out of sport.

The Level Field Fund’s founding partner is OrthoLite who is also donating $1 for every pair of insoles sold.

More info can be found at www.levelfieldfund.org.

• Breast Cancer Fund
• Cancer Care
• CureSearch/National Childhood Cancer Foundation
• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
• Prevent Cancer Foundation
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Phoenix House Foundation
• American Brain Tumor Association
• American Liver Foundation
• American Parkinson Disease Association
• City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Epilepsy Foundation & Research Foundation
• Huntington’s Disease Society of America
• Lupus Foundation of America – N.O.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• National Hemophilia Foundation – N.O.
• National Kidney Foundation
• Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies
• Compassion & Choices