EMPLOYEES OF Hewlett-Packard Ireland are to benefit from free cancer screening under the Power of Prevention initative.
HP Ireland, Aviva Health Insurance Ireland and the Mater Private Hospital have joined forces with Italia ’90 hero Packie Bonner to launch The Power of Prevention. This is a new programme that will offer, for the first time in Ireland, onsite free male cancer (prostate and testicular) screening and risk assessments for all employees and their families.
Power of Prevention
The Power of Prevention is a global health initiative that is supported by Packie Bonner and is now targeting all cancer types. It follows the success of the award-winning Power of Pink, a pilot programme that provided onsite breast cancer screening to all HP employees and their families in 2011.
As part of the programme, HP employees and their families will be given the opportunity to complete a risk assessment form that will allow the Mater Private Hospital to identify those who will need to undergo a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and/or a digital rectal exam.
These tests will be carried out onsite in HP, with additional support and advice to be made available ffor any employee who may be affected by the disease.
Employees with high risk factors will be able to avail of follow up with specialist Consultant Urologists and additional tests if necessary.
Following the April male cancer programme, HP Ireland will offer all employees and their families’ free screening for melanoma in June ahead of the summer holidays. Although melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, if diagnosed early it is almost 100 per cent curable.
Martin Murphy, Managing Director of HP Ireland, said the company is steadfast in its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees.
Dr Kiaran O’Malley, Consultant Urologist at the Mater Private Hospital said that up to 32 people a day will be assessed and educated on the prostate and testicular cancer.
There are over 17,000 men living with prostate cancer in Ireland, and approximately 500 men will die from the disease each year. Catching the disease early, before it spreads is critical to improve outcomes for patients. We are delighted to offer world-class care and assistance to anyone affected and in need of support.
Bonner commented: “Men are incredibly laid back when it comes to their health. The Power of Prevention makes it easy and convenient for men to complete a free screening in their workplace free-of-charge, and I would encourage men to take full advantage of this super programme.”
The Mater Private Hospital will carry out the assessments onsite at HP’s offices in Dublin, Galway and Kildare in April. Lunchtime and evening seminars will also take place to educate employees on cancer prevention.
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