The Weekly Times - TWT - 25th July 2018

Wednesday 25 July, 2018 THE WEEKLY TIMES 11
EASTWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Ryde Hospital is in
our Neighbourhood
A while ago, my auntie
had a bad fall and fractured
her hip.
My neighbours were
expecting their first
baby girl, and didn’t
know what to do or
what to expect.
Worried, needing reassuring
advice and medical
assistance, they
all ended up in Ryde
Hospital where they all
took home something
in common - a pleasant
experience provided by
their professional advice,
considerate and
accommodating staff
and of course, excellent
results .
Ryde Hospital was
built in 1934 initially as
the Ryde District Soldiers
Memorial Hospital
and in the 1980s, it took
on the name of Ryde
Hospital which it carries
to this day.
In 1972, the Jaycees
buried a time capsule
in the vicinity, intending
By HUGH LEE
RECENTLY a friend of mine was enjoying a seafood steam boat dinner
with his family - but a fish bone got caught in his throat.
for it to be unlocked in
2033 by their grandchildren.
However, during the
construction of the
Graythwaite facilities in
2012, the capsule was
unearthed 20 years
early.
It has since been reburied
in the heritage
precinct of Denistone
House, waiting for Jaycees’
grandchildren to
uncover in 15 years.
What many do not
know is that according
to a survey of maternity
patients in 2017,
this humble facility we
all share was rated the
top out of the 61 public
hospitals for mothers
to welcome their baby
boys and girls into the
world.
Surrounded by the
genuine love and care
in the Ryde Hospital
staff and community, it
is no wonder the hospital’s
facilities are so
popular.
There are always volunteering
opportunities
at Ryde Hospital, including
the well known
“Pink Ladies” who help
patients with enquiries
about directions within
the hospital, fundraising
and also help staff
with some generic
administrative duties
among other contributions
they make.
They are not the only
ones who have something
to contribute -
you, too, can join the
Community Consultative
Committee to
share your views and
vision how the hospital
can rise to even greater
heights to serve you
and those you love in
the community around
you.
Hugh Lee OAM, JP
has been volunteering
as a Consultative
Committee Member
since 2004.
Eastwood Toastmasters Club
Eastwood Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth Saturday
each month at the Training Centre, Brush Farm Academy, 19
Lawson Street Eastwood from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Inquiries Jacky
043 206 2862.
New Blood Test to diagnose melanoma
AUSTRALIA has the highest rate of melanoma in the world.
To put it in the context,
melanoma kills five
people every day in Australia.
And it is a frightening
thing that in people aged
15-39 it’s more common
than any other kind of
cancer.
Now a new blood test
that’s just been trialed on
124 patients has helped
detect the deadly disease
in 79 per cent of
cases.
This is how it works.
Your body naturally has
a cancer surveillance
system – it is part of your
immune system.
Even when melanoma
is at a microscopic size,
your body produces antimelanoma
antibodies to
destroy the melanoma.
This blood test will pick
up the anti-melanoma
antibodies.
If you have these antibodies,
it means you are
likely to have melanoma,
and hence the doctor
needs to look for it.
Unfortunately, the initial
research shows that
we still miss about 20
per cent of people, so
we have to go back and
make it better. However,
the significance of this
melanoma blood test is
enormous.
“When we can get rid
of the melanoma and cut
it out when it’s very very
thin and less than 1mm
thickness, people have
99% chance that nothing
else will ever happen
again” says Prof Mel Ziman,
Head of the ECU
Melanoma Research
Group.
Dr Peter Kim
Skin Surgery Clinic
Fellow of Australiasian
College of Cosmetic Surgery
SKIN CANCER CLINIC
• Skin Cancer checks. Diagnosis. Biopsies.
• Skin Cancer Surgery. Non-Surgial
• Skin Cancer treatment (laser).
MINOR OPS CLINIC
• Removal of moles, cysts,
lipoma skin/finger warts,
• Scar revision. Ingrown toenails.
Veins. Capillaries.
• Laser Mole removal.
“We might be able to
stop five melanoma-related
deaths per day.”
The researchers are
conducting a larger clinical
trial involving 1,000
participants.
The doctor will order a
blood test at the same
time as ordering a skin
biopsy suspicious for
melanoma.
Blood test results of
antibodies will be compared
against the histological
diagnosis.
If the researcher can
prove that the melanoma
blood test concurs 90
per cent of the time with
the histological melanoma,
then this test can be
endorsed to be part of a
standard medical diagnostic
testing.
Eastwood based medical
specialist Dr Peter
Kim says early detection
LASER CLINIC
• Laser skin rejuvenation, hair removal, freckles,
moles, acne, capillaries, melasma.
INJECTIONS
• Antiwrinkle injections. Cosmetic Filler injections.
Skin Cancer Clinic
Minor Skin Surgery
90% of Skin Cancer and Skin lumps
and bumps can be safely and
effectively removed at GP clinic.
Bulk Billed
No Referral is needed
Please Call Us
is crucial.
“I’m hoping that this
test - liquid biopsy- will
help us to diagnose
melanoma early,” he revealed.
“However, for now,
there is nothing more
accurate than an experienced
doctor doing
a visual scan and to
promptly proceed with
a skin biopsy to confirm
this diagnosis.”
For appointment call 9411 4880 www.peterkim.com.au
62-80 Rowe Street East, Eastwood, NSW 2122 (Aldi building)
Facebook: Eastwood Skin Clinic