HEALTH
Page 18 - Coast Community News - May 19, 2016 Share
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Radiotherapy scholarships fundraiser raises $8,000
World first vaccination test underway in Gosford major national collaboration is now testing whether a safe, one-off vaccination can assist in reducing the risk of heart-attacks and strokes and Gosford is one of six centres involved in the study.
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From left Dr Aspara Windsor with Ms Yvonne Crestani
amberal Surf Club was the venue for an event on Sunday, May 1, for the Scholarships in Radiotherapy volunteer group to raise funds for higher education and international scholarships for young radiotherapists.
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The event was held to advance allied health professionals’ knowledge and to undertake research development. Ms Yvonne Crestani and her dedicated team of volunteers put together a very entertaining day for
130 guests which included local entertainers as well as Yvonne’s team showing off their dancing and singing talents. The guest speaker, Dr Apsara Windsor, staff specialist in radiation/ oncology at Gosford
Hospital, gave a most professional presentation on the developments and trends on the management of patients at the Central Coast Cancer Centre. The modern centre opened in 2013 with the most up to date equipment
for radiotherapy. Guests were enthralled as Dr Windsor carefully took them through the advancements in the treatment of cancer patients and the research currently being carried out. The event raised $8,000 which included raffles and a silent auction. All items were donated by local businesses and generous members of the community. This is a staggering achievement for Ms Crestani and her team of volunteers and they are to be congratulated for their efforts. Many thanks and compliments must go to the compere, performing artist Sandy Bigara, local entertainer Clair Hayes and singer/songwriter Shane Edwards. Email, May 13, 2016 Syd Fabri, Scholarships in Radiotherapy
With cardiovascular disease killing one Australian every 12 minutes, the Australian Study for the Prevention through Immunisation of Cardiovascular Events (AUSPICE) is recruiting men and women aged 55 to 60 years. Neurologist and principal investigator for the Gosford site of study, Associate Professor Jonathan Sturm, said the study will formally test whether the existing pneumococcal vaccine can not only reduce invasive pneumococcal disease, but also help to prevent heart attack and stroke. “The evidence from laboratory studies and observational studies in humans suggests that there may be a component of the adult pneumococcal disease that looks like oxidised LDL, the bad cholesterol that builds up in the arteries of people with heart disease,” said Prof Sturm. “The antibodies that are generated in response to the vaccine appear to bind to and reduce the buildup of cholesterol, thereby reducing vascular disease. “The only way to definitely explore this is through a randomised controlled trial and to our knowledge this is the first and only trial registered in the world exploring this possibility.”
“If shown to be effective, it would be relatively easy to incorporate changes into clinical practice because the pneumococcal vaccine is safe and has already been used in Australia for over 20 years in a different target group,” he said. Each trial centre is aiming to recruit 1000 participants who are asked to attend a single clinic visit for less than one hour. Tens of thousands of letters of invitation and eligibility screening are being sent out by the Department of Human Services (Medicare) throughout 2016. Health record linkage will be used to determine the rates of heart attack and stroke in the treatment and control groups, four to five years after vaccination. “People with at least two risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or overweight/obesity will be randomised to receive either the active vaccine or a saline placebo,” said Prof Sturm. “We are asking everyone who receives an invitation for AUSPICE in their letterbox to please take the time to consider participating and to complete the eligibility screening, either in hard copy or online.” Media Release, May 4, 2016 Casey Virgin, Central Coast Local Health District
Dr. Mythily Ramanathan (MBBS, Dip in GP, Dip in Child Health, FRNZCGP, FRACGP)
Female Family Physician/General Practitioner Practising at shop 3/112 Wyong Rd, Killarney Vale, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and every second Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Phone: 02 4332 6174 or use Health engine web site https://healthengine.com.au/
Thursdays at Suite 8, 16-18 Hill St, Gosford Phone 0458 735 813 Mixed billings. Pension cards, age above 65 and under 16 will be bulk billed email: mythily2000@hotmail.com for appointments
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