Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) has announced its involvement in the acquisition of a vehicle that will provide mobile screening for lung and skin cancer throughout the Algarve.
This is the first step in a new campaign launched by the Algarve Oncology Association (AOA) called “Movetepelavida” (Moveforyourlife). Its purpose is to engage with the Algarve population by taking the health services directly to them. “This is the way forward to reach a larger number of people and, more importantly, reach those who struggle to access health services, and to reduce the disparity in social classes accessing healthcare,” said RCEPI in a press statement.
The new mobile health unit was delivered to the AOA on June 30, during the RCEPI Presidential Handover. The vehicle is the result of a joint effort between RCEPI, AOA and the Wolf Valley Charity Fund, totaling €27,000. A joint effort between RCEPI and other Algarve Rotary Clubs will provide the screening equipment.
The Moveforyourlife campaign aims to educate young people about the long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to provide information about cancer and how to prevent the disease.
“For the elderly, it is vital to make them aware of early warning signs related to cancer and what to do if cancer is suspected. Again, advice will be given on the importance of changing to a healthier lifestyle and diet to improve health generally,” said RCEPI.
The vehicle has been nicknamed ‘Rodinhas’ (Wheely) because it is providing ‘health on wheels’ and because of the Rotary wheel that is the symbol of Rotarians worldwide. It will undertake a roadshow throughout the Algarve, educating about healthy lifestyles, advising what to look for to catch any potential life-threatening cancer early on.
Lung cancer is in the top three of deaths caused by cancer, so early detection is vital as this improves survival rates immensely.
Skin cancer screening is also a priority in the Algarve due to the high exposure of many workers to the sun, particularly those involved in the agriculture and fishing industries.
RCEPI has embraced the cause “Movetepelavida” as it believes “prevention and early diagnose equal more life and more health”.
Photo: Bruno Sousa Costa, RCEPI president 2018-19, Maria José Pires, deputy director, Algarve Oncology Association, Manuela Robinson RCEPI president 2017-18 and Graham Miller, treasurer, Wolf Valley Charity Fund
