A bus built in Ashburton almost one year ago to save South Islanders from skin cancer has been a great success.
The Lions Skin Cancer Screening Bus launched in Hanmer Springs on March 29.
Trust chair Paul O’Connor said as of February 10, it had screened 813 people. Over a quarter, 214, had been referred to their GPs.
‘‘So who said early detection was not needed,’’ O’Connor said.
The bus provides full-body screenings which are predominantly only available in larger centers and cost more than $250.
New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
‘‘Most people can’t afford this service or are reluctant to use it because they have to travel to the main centres. We will go to these rural centres,’’ O’Connor said.
The bus proved its weight in gold recently at the Ashburton Lions Motor Home Show at the Ashburton showgrounds.
Eleven screenings were undertaken by Dr Cheryl Tallon from Lotus Skin.
Seven had skin cancer and it was recommended they talk to their GP, while nine received a pre-cancerous diagnosis.
Among those screened was Kaye Dickie, at the show with a caravan to sell and deciding to have red dry patches on her face checked out.
‘‘I don’t have a family history of cancer but chose to get them checked after one of the Lions mentioned the van was going to be there,’’ Dickie said.
Results from a full body scan came back clear.
‘‘It was a thorough scan, and Cheryl was very professional. Cheryl recommended I go back to my GP and they would dry ice the patches,’’ Dickie said.
Tallon said she was honoured to be volunteering with the screening bus.
‘‘It improves access. The volunteers driving this initiative are a shining example of compassion in action,’’ Tallon said.
Meanwhile, the building of a second vehicle, to service the North Island, is under way by the same company, Brendan Thompson Coach Builders Ashburton.
