Every day in Australia, an average of 135 people die from cancer. It accounts for three in every ten deaths in Australia. One in two Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. However it is not just a disease of the elderly – cancer can strike any age at any time.
These are frightening statistics and whilst progress has been made in treating most cancers, too many Australians are suffering from this insidious disease, along with their families and loved ones.
The Central Coast unfortunately has high rates of cancers, particularly in the Wyong area, where according to data released in 2017 from a three–year project by Torrens University’s Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) in South Australia, rates are 20 per cent higher overall than the state average. Wyong and its surrounding areas had some of the highest rates of individual cancers including colorectal cancer in men, which was 44 per cent above the state average, and lung cancer at 53 per cent above average for men and 43 per cent in women.
One explanation for the high cancer rates in Wyong is detailed in a report by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration project, which found 32.3 per cent of adults in Wyong were obese, compared to a national average of 27 per cent and 21.8 per cent smoke, nearly twice as high as the national average of 12.8 per cent.
Skin cancer was also above the state average across most of the Coast with 73 per cent more cases in males from Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale and The Entrance. The Woy Woy peninsula, which includes the sought after suburbs of Booker Bay, Patonga and Blackwall, had the highest rates of breast cancer on the Coast, 18 per cent above the state average, followed by Gosford, Springfield and East Gosford at 13 per cent.
So there are many residents on the Coast who need support through each stage of their cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and post treatment as they get on with their lives.
The Central Coast Branch of the Cancer Information & Support Society (CISS) has been holding meetings in Gosford for over 30 years. CISS provides information about complementary cancer therapies and support for those who choose to use them. We also evaluate conventional therapies.
We believe cancer is a systemic disease and that emotional factors play a significant part in its cause. People with cancer get the best results when they take responsibility for their treatment choices and believe in them, and we consider that people with cancer should take control of their health and decide their own treatment program after being given accurate, unbiased, evidence–based options about available treatments. We then support them in their chosen program and provide them with the extra skills they need for this task.
CISS is a wholly independent not for profit organisation, which is not influenced or funded by any government or private organisation with vested interests, nor do we have an affiliation with any products. We survive on our membership fees and donations from those we have helped.
The Central Coast Branch of CISS meets monthly at Green Point Community Centre, 96 Koolang Road, Green Point at 7pm on the third Monday night of the month. In the cooler months of May to August, we meet on the third Saturday afternoon at 2pm.
We have a focus on wellness as the way to prevent and recover from cancer, and to that intent we have interesting guest speakers on a broad range of health topics, from fortifying our immune system, to gut health, emotions and the healing process, healing through vibrational frequencies, self–hypnosis for managing pain, food intolerance and sensitivity, adrenal dysfunction, and preparing our bodies for the start of winter. We also have a library of excellent DVDs on various health related topics which we view during some meetings.
In addition to informative speakers, we also offer:
- Support and shared experiences in a friendly, caring atmosphere
- An extensive reference library for members on all aspects of health and wellness
- Meditation
- Free counselling services for members
For more information about the CISS (Cancer Information & Support Society), phone Sue Johnston, Convenor of the Central Coast Branch of CISS on 0410 696 458 cisscentralcoast@bigpond.com | www.ciss.org.au
References: Cancer Council; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report Cancer in Australia 2021; Torrrens University SA, Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) Social Health Atlas