Would you know if you had diabetes?

Nov 1 2007 by Linda Elias, Cynon Valley Leader

DIABETES is a growing health problem throughout Wales.

And Cynon Valley is a particular hot spot for Type 2 diabetes, with the percentage of sufferers above the national average.

Last month a major diabetes conference was held in the Cynon Valley at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Aberdare.

The event attracted top medical speakers and health care professionals but it was the words of three Cynon Valley women with the condition that provided delegates with considerable food for thought.

Tracey Thomas, Carol Davies and Iris Beamand each told of their experience of living with diabetes and how it had affected their lives.

The conference was organised by Wendy Gane MBE, project co-ordinator of the Lower Cynon Valley Peer Support Groups Project.

The project is funded by the Pfizer UK Foundation in partnership with the Penrhiwceiber Community Revival Strategy Group and Communities First.

“These three women provided a vital insight into living with diabetes on a day to day basis,’’ said Mrs Gane.

“Their personal accounts were a very valuable contribution to the conference.”

Mrs Gane said quite a significant percentage of people in Cynon Valley were at a high risk of Type 2 diabetes but had no idea that they were at risk.

“It is vital to get the message across to people that they need to change their lifestyle and reduce their risk factors as much as possible,” she stressed.

The main speaker at the event was Professor David Owens CBE, director of the research unit at Llandough Hospital.

Professor Owens spoke of the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Wales.

He said being overweight and unfit were contributory factors in developing the condition, along with a possible genetic element.

Professor Owens emphasised the effectiveness of major lifestyle changes in treating the condition.