February 2014 | Issue 2
Relationships
The key topics this month are:
• Personal and Workplace
Relationships.
• Member Portal Changes.
• World Cancer Day - Dispel Myths.
• Ovarian Cancer.
Healthy relationships are key to maintaining a healthy mental state that
contributes to our overall wellbeing. Investing time and effort into building
strong relationships can bring the greatest rewards in supporting and enriching
your home, work and personal life and reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
Overall research shows that by 2020, depression will become the second
leading health burden worldwide (heart disease being the first) and one in five
people will experience mental illness. Consequence of stress and anxiety leads
to psychological injuries. Since 2006-07 there has been a 54% increase in
psychological injury claims. Psychological injury claims account for 22% of all
serious claims requiring one week or more off work.
Interestingly, PPC EAP data for 2013 shows that stress and coping was one of
the top reasons why people accessed the EAP.
PPC EAP Data
Workplace
Issues
No of employees
9000
8000
We are pleased to announce that, as part
of our continual investment to enhance
our online member support services we
will be launching a new version of the
member information and support portal.
The new site will bring you a number
of new tools, designed to help address
issues affecting your personal life, work
life and health and wellbeing and to assist
you to prepare for future work and life
changes. These new tools are in addition
to the comprehensive range of information, online services and advice available
on the website.
More information to follow soon.
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Member Portal Changes...
...coming soon.
Anxiety
Depression
Grief & Loss
Stress & Coping
Data from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013
Workplace Relationships
The workplace tends to produce some of our important relationships. Making
sure these relationships are functional and beneficial is essential in creating a
balanced and happy workplace for you and your colleagues. Building positive
workplace relationships is also vital for career success and a sense of satisfaction
and belonging in the workplace. Relationships can positively or negatively affect
your satisfaction with the job, your ability to advance and gain recognition for
your achievements.
When you build positive relationships, you feel more comfortable with your
interactions and feel less intimidated by others. You feel a closer bond to the
people you spend the majority of your time working with. Here are some tips
that can help you to build positive relationships in the workplace:
• Share more of yourself at meetings.
• Speak positively about the people you work with, especially to
your manager.
• Be supportive of other people’s work.
• Ask others to become involved in your projects or activities.
• Write thank you notes, email or voicemail.
• Initiate conversations by asking questions.
• Participate in activities that do not necessarily involve work.
• Introduce yourself at social work events.
Building positive relationships in the workplace often provides increased emotional support to help you get your job done and to be more efficient.
Workplace interpersonal relationships are very important in making us feel satisfied and productive. In case of an issue contact your manager/HR or the EAP as
soon as possible.
Workplace Issues
10000
Data from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013
9000
No of employees
World Cancer Day raises awareness of
cancer and encourages its prevention, detection, and treatment. The primary goal
of the World Cancer Day is to significantly
reduce death and illness caused by cancer
by 2020. This year, the day focusses on
reducing the stigma and dispelling myths
about cancer.
Some of the myths…
Myth 1: We don’t need to talk
about cancer.
Truth: Whilst cancer can be a difficult
topic to address, particularly in some
cultures and settings, dealing with the
disease openly can improve outcomes at
an individual, community and policy level.
Myth 2: There are no signs or symptoms
of cancer.
Truth: For many cancers, there are warning signs and symptoms and the benefits
of early detection are indisputable.
Myth 3: There is nothing I can do
about cancer.
Truth: There is a lot that can be done at
an individual, community and policy level,
and with the right strategies, a third of the
most common cancers can be prevented.
Myth 4: I don’t have the right to
cancer care.
Truth: All people have the right to access
proven and effective cancer treatments
and services on equal terms and without
suffering hardship as a consequence.
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
World Cancer Day 2014
(4th February)
Health
Individual
Interpersonal
Organisational
Globally, about a third of the most
common cancers could be prevented
through sticking to a healthy diet, being
physically active and managing our body
weight. World Cancer Day 2014 is an ideal
opportunity to banish the myths and get
the facts about cancer so that they can
stop the disease before it starts.
“Preventing cancer is better and
cheaper than treating or curing it”
(Dr Hama Boureima-Sambo, an expert on
non-communicable diseases at WHO).
For more information visit
www.worldcancerday.org
Personal Relationships
Ovarian Cancer
In 2007, 32% of marriages ended in divorce and this is expected to rise to 45%
in 20-30 years.
Ovarian cancer is the eighth most
common cancer in women, and the fifth
leading cause of female cancer death.
Unfortunately, most cases of ovarian
cancer are discovered when the cancer is
already advanced. Detection of ovarian
cancer while it is in its early stages significantly improves prognosis.
Emotional stress, grief and loss will cause people to be distracted at work and
be less productive. Therefore, maintaining healthy relationships at home is very
important to mental health and wellbeing.
Building and working on your relationships by communicating effectively
about any problems you encounter will help weather any situations at work or
at home.
If you are having problems, some of these tips may help your situation:
•
•
•
•
Talk about it – communication is the key to making relationships work.
Keep calm and be open about your problems.
Accept differences – acknowledging that you may not always agree with
your loved ones can help avoid unnecessary conflict.
Have fun together – it is important to find time to do things you enjoy
with your colleagues, friends, partner or family.
Get help – PPC Worldwide can help if you are experiencing difficulties in
your home life. Our personal counseling sessions are available via phone
or in person and can provide advice and solutions for any problem you may
be having.
Symptoms
Ovarian cancer grows quickly and can
progress from early to advanced stages
within a year. Paying attention to symptoms can help improve a woman’s chances
of being diagnosed and treated promptly.
If you have the following symptoms on
a daily basis for more than a few weeks,
you should see your doctor (preferably
a gynecologist):
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
• Older age
• Family history of ovarian, breast, or
hereditary colorectal cancer
• BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations
• Obesity
• Hormone replacement therapy use for
five or more years
• Not having had children
Preventive Factors for Ovarian Cancer
• Taking birth control pills
• Giving birth to at least one child
• Tubal ligation (tying fallopian tubes)
or hysterectomy (removal of uterus)
after childbearing
Treatment
Ovarian cancer is usually treated by surgery, followed by chemotherapy. Surgery
involves removal of the ovaries, fallopian
tubes, uterus, and the omentum (the fatty
layer that covers organs in the abdomen).
Support
PPC Worldwide can support you in times of need and explore possible strategies that will assist you to re-balance your life as
soon as possible. Call us today.
Australia New Zealand 1300 361 008
0800 327 669
www.ppconline.info/au
Sources: www.cas.umkc.edu | www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au | www.lifeline.org.au | www.worldcancerday.org | www.myoptumhealth | Relationships Australia, Linacre, S. Australian Social Trends 2007
Disclaimer: This EDM is intended for the sole use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, is confidential and may contain information that is legally privileged. Any views
or opinions in this communication are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of PPC Worldwide. Any unauthorised form of
reproduction of this communication is prohibited by anyone other than the named addressee(s). PPC Worldwide does not guarantee the security of any information electronically
transmitted nor accept responsibility for any improper or incomplete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt. PPC Worldwide
reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to refuse to act or defer any action on any instructions received via the Internet.
PPC Worldwide Privacy Policy - http://www.au.ppcworldwide.com/general/privacy.aspx