A round-up of other stories in brief
MEN'S CANCER ACTION WEEK:The number of cases of prostate cancer is expected to increase to about 3,788 by 2020, an increase of almost 60 per cent on the current latest figures available, according to the Irish Cancer Society.
The society launched its annual men's cancer action week yesterday, which aims to raise awareness of the incidence of common cancers in men. It says risk factors include age, smoking, having a family history, a diet which is high in fat, alcohol and lack of physical activity.
As part of the campaign the society is organising a free public health awareness seminar on Thursday (November 8th) in the D Hotel, Drogheda, noon to 8pm. The society will also be at the Toys for Big Boys exhibition in the RDS from Thursday to Sunday.
RA AWARENESS:An Arthritis Ireland survey of more than 1,500 patients has found that more than half of patients presenting with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) symptoms were treated by their GP for the disease, despite the fact that optimal RA management can be delivered only by a rheumatologist, the organisation said yesterday.
The survey was undertaken as part of Arthritis Ireland's Don't Wait Any Longer information campaign which sought to raise awareness of RA and to encourage those with symptoms to seek medical advice as early assessment is vital to minimise progression.
"Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease involving chronic inflammation, which is estimated to affect 40,000 people in the Republic. It is a particularly insidious form of arthritis in that lack of early intervention can have severe and long-lasting consequences for the patient including severe pain, disfigurement, an inability to perform simple everyday tasks and can result in the affected person being unable to work and lead a normal life," according to Arthritis Ireland.
John Church, chief executive of Arthritis Ireland, expressed concern at the findings of the survey and said greater support and education was required for GPs, many of whom had not received any formal training in rheumatology.
RARE DISEASES MEETING:Rare diseases affect about 3.5 per cent of people in Europe, or an estimated 140,000 people in Ireland, according to a recent European study.
Now, the Irish Platform for Patients' Organisations, Science & Industry (IPPOSI), in conjunction with the Medical Research Charities Group and the Irish Medicines Board, will host a day-long meeting on rare diseases on Friday (November 9th) in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin.
The meeting is open to the public, patients, scientists and industry. Registration forms are available on www.ipposi.ie. Details are also available on the IMB website at www.imb.ie
EFFECTS OF WORKPLACE POLICY:Employers and policy makers will attend a seminar, jointly hosted by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Centre for Gender & Women's Studies, on the importance of workplace policy in influencing crisis pregnancy decisions.
One in five women between the ages of 25-34 have experienced a crisis pregnancy. When women are faced with such a pregnancy, their decisions about whether to continue with the pregnancy and whether to work if they decide to become parents are significantly influenced by workplace policy and culture.
That's according to recent research and is also the main theme of the seminar, titled The Workplace of the Future: Reconciling Pregnancy, Parenting and Employment, taking place on Thursday (November 8th) at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
The seminar, which will be opened by Martin Cullen, Minister for Social and Family Affairs, will outline the latest research and allow participants to learn from practical case studies.
For further information, log on to: www.crisispregnancy.ie/whatsnew.phpor www.tcd.ie/cgwsor e-mail jennifer.redmond@tcd.ie
ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE:The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, officially opened an assisted living residence for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) in Glasnevin, Dublin yesterday. This service, which is the first of its kind in the HSE's Northern Area, brings to 14 the number of houses established in Ireland by The Peter Bradley Foundation.