Reducing your Smoking, Vaping
& Alcoholic drinks
Welcome to the
Women’s Wellness Hub
Smoking and Vaping and gaining the strength to stop!
There are lots of types of cigarette products on the market and all have tobacco in them. There is no safe form of tobacco.
Staying tobacco free is the best way obviously to protect your health. You know it is more than likely going to end badly - by hurting and/or killing the smoker as well as potentially the people around that you love and care for, who are not consenting to being harmed or killed from secondary smoke.
We are not judging however. It is a bloody easy thing to start, but also a bloody hard thing to stop. Addictions.........
Nicotine based smoking includes:
Cigarettes - can come in a number of forms including:
Regular (combustible) cigaretts, which contain tobacco and over 7000 chemicals which the smoker and others around them are then exposed to.
Light, hand-rolled natural or herbal cigarettes - the risk is NOT lower in light or low-tar cigarettes. In fact, people who have always smoked hand-rolled cigarettes have a high risk of cancers of the larynx (voice box)f, oesophagus (swallowing tube) mouth and pharynx (throat) when compared with other nicotine products.
All natural? Some cigarettes are now being sold as "all natural" but there is no proof there are healthier or safer than other cigarettes even if they say no chemicals or additives.
Menthol cigarettes
Cigars and little cigars
Electronic or e-cigarettes (vaping devices)
Clove cigarettes, (kreteks), Bidis (flavored cigarettes) and Hookahs (water pipes)......
(reference: amp.cancer.org)
VAPING THE NEW HEALTH CRISIS
They may seem sweet, but on the inside… they’re hiding a dirty secret.
Vapes are filled with toxic chemicals that can lead to cancer and cause permanent damage to your lungs, heart and brain. They can even intensify anxiety and depression.
Keeping it real - what really is in vapes!
Spoiler alert, vape juice isn’t made from fruit concentrate or fruit juice. Those fake sweet and fruity flavours are made using a range of harmful toxins.
They might smell nice, but you’re breathing in a lot of the same ingredients found in nail polish remover, weed killer, cleaning products and bug spray.
These are some of the chemicals commonly found in vapes and what they’re doing to you each time you take a puff.
OMG!!!! We were even shocked by the contents.....
Formaldehyde- found in products like floor cleaner and can permanently damage your lungs and cause cancer.
☠️Acrolein - found in insect killer and can damage the lining of your lungs and irritate the inside of your nose.
☠️Propylene glycol- synthetic liquid and may trigger asthma when it’s heated and inhaled
☠️Heavy metals- including arsenic and nickel which can cause cancer and lead that can damage the developing brain.
☠️ You’ll also be inhaling anti-freeze which is used to cool car engines and other volatile organic compounds found in paint and heavy-duty cleaning products. That doesn’t include the hundreds of cancer-causing additives that weren’t designed to be heated or inhaled into the lungs.
Vapes may include flavourings that are safe to eat and drink, but aren’t safe to inhale. They’re also often incorrectly labelled so you don’t know what the ingredients are and what chemicals you’re putting into your body.
Signs you might be addicted to vaping
Some common signs of nicotine addiction include:
✅feeling irritable
✅feeling anxious and, or depressed
✅having strong cravings to vape
✅not being able to concentrate
Nicotine free? Really.....
Did you know that even when a vape is labelled ‘nicotine free’, it still probably has nicotine in it? Sneaky, right?
Nicotine is super addictive, and once you start vaping, it can be really hard to stop.
Once you’re hooked on vaping, you’re more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes to get that nicotine hit.
And you don’t have to vape for long to get addicted. We have watched 15 year old's quickly become a shadow of their former selves as their whole day revolves around the next toxic drag.
Nicotine can also affect your heart, increase anxiety and depression, and impact your brain development, especially the part responsible for attention, memory and learning. If you’re under 25, vaping can actually rewire your brain! Scary stuff, short and long term.
See the checklist on some great tips on reducing the impact of withdrawing from the addictions and how to withdraw.
QUIT HELP - YOU'VE GOT THIS. YOU DESERVE IT!
If you think you’re addicted to smoking or vaping, you’re not alone. There’s a range of support services and options to help you quit for good.
You can call Quitline on 13 78 48 (13 QUIT) and talk to a counsellor 7 days a week. They’ll give you advice and help you develop a plan for quitting. If you’re over 12, nicotine replacement therapy products may also help.
The Quitline team will talk to you about different options and what might be best for you. They can also support your friends and family.
Quitline is free and confidential.
If it’s outside business hours, you can request a call back by filling in an online form on the QuitHQ website.
ALTERNATE THERAPIES TO HELP YOU QUIT
Alternate therapy options that may help:
patches (insert details)
hypnotherapy etc
list all here
You can also speak to your GP, pharmacist or school-based nurse, who can give you advice and support.
Just remember, you’re not alone and quitting is possible.
STOP SMOKING PRODUCTS LISTED HERE AND PROMOTED
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Reducing your alcohol intake
Is one more worth it?
(insert picture)
You could be cracking open a splitting headache, with a hangover leaving you feeling tired and irritable. Wouldn’t you rather a deep, restorative sleep leaving you firing on all cylinders tomorrow?
Cutting back has many benefits to your overall health, learn more about how reducing your drinking will have you looking and feeling your best.
BUT HOW MANY IS TOO MANY?
Well that depends on the size of your drink and what you're drinking. And this seems to be where a lot of us get caught out as not all drinks are equal.
Alcohol affects everyone in different ways and it’s important to know that drinking is never completely safe.
The Australian Alcohol Guidelines* recommend:
Healthy adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks in a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day people under 18, and women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding shouldn't drink any alcohol.
*Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Alcohol (NHMRC 2020)
(insert pictures)
LEGAL AGE LIMIT - AUSTRALIA
UNDERAGE DRINKING AND PARENT OBLIGATIONS
DRINKING AND DRIVING - CAR OR WATERCRAFT
HOW DOES ALCOHOL IMMEDIATELY AFFECT YOU?
Alcohol affects people differently. It depends what you drink, how much and how quickly you drink it. It also depends on your size and weight, and whether you’re male or female. If you drink and take over the counter, prescribed medications or other drugs, it can increase your risk of an overdose.
Dizziness
Slower reflexes
Poor balance
Poor coordination
Slurring of words
Drowsiness
Impaired judgment
If you have a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time you may experience:
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Agitation
Mood swings
Risky behaviour resulting in injuries, accidents, criminal offences, vulnerability to sexual assault unprotected sex
Loss of consciousness
Respiratory arrest including death
CUT BACK - THE BENEFITS ARE WORTH IT!
Cutting back or taking a break from alcohol is one of the best things you can do for your health. Whether you’re thinking about drinking less each week or feeling like you don’t want to drink at all anymore, there are so many good reasons to make a change.
THE SHORT TERM BENEFITS:
Wake up feeling better in the morning and ready to take on your day!
Falling asleep without alcohol means you won’t wake up as often and you’ll have a more restorative, deep sleep.
And with that comes improved everyday functioning – mood, concentration, creativity, productivity, mental performance and energy.
The good thing is, you’ll notice the benefits of this straight away.
Look younger and have better looking skin
Did you know alcohol can affect how your skin looks?
Alcohol is linked to inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, broken capillaries on your face and nose, under-eye puffiness and dehydration (which can leave your skin looking dry and dull).
Cutting back allows your skin’s elasticity to return, lose the redness, and give you an overall healthier complexion.
Feel more energetic!
Looking to smash a personal best or try a new fitness class?
Cutting back on your drinking will help you get a better night’s sleep so you’ll feel more energised during the day.
Whether it’s having more energy to run around after the kids or smash out a busy day at work, cutting back will help you to tackle it all.
Stronger immunity
Alcohol reduces various immune responses, including lower white blood cell production which the body needs to fight bacteria and germs.
It’s also associated with increased risk of contracting bacterial and viral lung infections.
By cutting back you’re giving your body a chance to build up its natural defence against infections and viruses, like COVID or the flu.
Better weight management
Alcohol can cause unwanted weight gain in four ways:
it stops your body from burning fat,
it's high in kilojoules,
it can make you feel hungry, and
it can lead to cravings for salty and greasy foods.
Cutting back can help you make healthier decisions to look and feel your best.
More cash in your pocket
One of the unexpected bonuses of drinking less can be saving money.
Depending on what you drink, how much and how often, the savings can be significant.
In 2020, the average Aussie household spent almost $2,000 on alcohol - so cut back and pocket the money instead.** Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2020)
Improved mental health - have you ever had hangxiety?
After a night out drinking you might wake up feeling anxious or worried about what happened the night before.
Hangxiety is partly caused by the chemical changes that take place in our brains when we drink. Cutting back your drinking could also help reduce your anxiety.
If depressed - makes it worse - article
LONG TERM BENEFITS
As well as having a short-term impact on your health and wellbeing, cutting down on alcohol and making changes now can protect your future health.
Many alcohol-related health risks don’t appear until later in life. This means that how much and how often you drink now can affect your health later in life.
Making small, positive changes now will help reduce risks for:
-Confusion and memory loss
-Developing cancer
-Liver disease
-Heart disease
-Fertility problems
-Diabetes
-Dementia
*Qld Health Guidelines: www.
CREATE A TIPS FOR CUTTING BACK
Being mindful of how many and what you’re drinking can help you start to reduce your intake. If you’re interested in cutting back, talk to your friends and family and let them know so they can help support you. Other ways to reduce your intake can include:
Set a drink and budget limit before you start. Follow the guidelines and you'll feel better for it the next day!
Have a few alcohol-free days each week and adopt other healthy behaviours such as going for a walk, gardening or playing sport.
Choose social events or a place where alcohol isn’t easily available
, such as the beach or going to the movies.
Limit how much alcohol you have at home
- if it’s not there, you can’t drink it.
Space your drinks
and alternate with non-alcohol drinks.
Change your routine
– if you usually reach for a glass of wine or a beer after work,
instead try calling a friend for a catch up or switch on your favourite podcast.
No alcohol is safest when it comes to driving
- it's hard to monitor how much you've had to drink - there's too many factors that affect your blood alcohol level.
IMPACT ON THE KIDS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Cutting down can also have positive flow on effects for the young people in your life.
You can be a role model by changing your habits and showing that you don’t need alcohol to have fun or to unwind after a hard day.
insert articles here
Podcast here
PREGNANCY, BREASTFEEDING AND ALCOHOL
TRYING NON-ALCHOLIC RANGES
(ADVERTISE HERE)
SUPPORT SERVICES
adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support
Confidential support service for people in Queensland with alcohol and other drug concerns, their families and health professionals.
Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833.
LIFELINE
(DO ONE FOR EACH STATE)
SOBER IN THE COUNTRY
Get the checklists and tips you need to keep
on top of key women's physical health issues
Often we make appointments with our GP only because we feel there is something wrong with us - we get 'reactive care' and usually we unrealistically expect that all our health issues can be reviewed and considered in the average 15 minute consultation. We avoid the 'proactive' care and checkups blaming being time poor, not knowing what to ask for or feeling uncomfortable about the appointment, but the reality is the proactive is often more critical. You can avoid huge wellness, financial, employment, relationship and mental health issues if you are proactive in your care and get educated and know what to ask for and when.
Regular health check-ups can identify any early signs of health issues. Finding problems early means that your chances for effective treatment are increased. Many factors, such as your age, health, family history and lifestyle choices, impact on how often you need check-ups.
IMPORTANT:
Below are just the key checklists that are medically recommended per decade of a woman's life. Within that decade though you may be required to have the specific checkup or action once (such as tetanus injection usually every ten years) or it may be that in that decade you need to annually do the test with your doctors. For some people who have a family history, prior medical condition, smoke, have other addictions, or just concerns they have noted, the tests in that decade of your life may be significantly more in a bid to try detecting and preventing any heath concerns as soon as possible.
You can interact with this PDF document to add any comments you have in relation to some of these key items.
Why Regular routine check up's could save your life - even if you are not feeling unwell!
It is a good idea to visit a doctor regularly, even if you feel healthy. Just like your car gets a service, after a certain number of kilometres, even if it seems ok with no obvious sign of repairs.
The purpose of these visits is to:
❤️check for current or emerging medical problems
❤️assess your risk of future medical issues
❤️prompt you to maintain a healthy lifestyle
❤️update vaccinations (including but not limited to shingles, tetanus, whooping cough, flu, travel required vaccinations)
Health checks are usually incorporated into routine medical care but you may need to ensure you have booked enough time for a review and diarise these checks yourself as you may/may not ever be sent prompts to do it.
Having a health check is also a time to examine your lifestyle to see what improvements can be made. This may be something you regularly do yourself or discuss with a healthcare professional.
REGULAR SELF-HEALTH CHECKS YOU CAN BE DOING AT HOME TO INCREASE YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLNESS
You can do a basic health check at home to review your health in relation to:
Alcohol consumption - people who have at least 2 alcohol-free days per week and keep their drinking days to 2 standard drinks per drinking day have better long-term
health. For more information on alcohol refer to this website.
Smoking – smoking increases your risk of many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, lung disease and thin bones. If you smoke, quitting as soon as possible helps reduce the harm. For more information on the risks of smoking and how to get help to stop for good, refer to our website.
Dental care – cleaning your teeth regularly and eating a low-sugar diet can reduce your risk of tooth loss, tooth decay, gum disease. You should have an annual dental check and professional clean to help reduce these issues. Poor dental health is also often connected to heart disease.
Diet and nutrition– a healthy diet improves your general health and wellbeing.
For further details on nutrition refer to this website.
Physical activity– regular physical activity is good for your mental health, heart and bones, and can prevent many diseases. Ideally the health goal is for 30 minutes to an hour of moderate physical activity a day. Moderate physical activity takes some effort, but it is considered to be at a point where you can still have a conversation (for example, brisk walking, social tennis). Light weights help considerably especially in your 40s plus.
Skin checks–currently, there is no set guideline regarding how often Australian adults should get their skin checked. Cancer Council recommends that you regularly monitor your own skin via self-examination and visit a GP if you notice any changes or new suspicious spots (moles, freckles, dark stain/patch etc). A GP can refer you to a specialist if required.
If you have sunbaked a lot or work outdoors or have a family history of melanoma or other skin disease, you should have a thorough yearly examination by a doctor who specialises in skin checks and/or a dermatologist (get a referral from your GP). A full skin examination, supported with photography and dermoscopy, may be necessary every 6-12 months.
While protection from UV radiation is the best defense against skin cancer, regular skin checks via self-examination for new and changed spots and early detection strategies are an important approach to reducing your risk of skin cancer. This is because most melanomas are found by the person with the melanoma, or their partner.
For details of how to check for skin cancer refer to the diagram below from Cancer Council NSW.
Weight - maintaining a healthy weight range helps prevent longer-term diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
Regular health checks can help to identify early warning signs of disease or illness. Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers can often be picked up in their early stages, when treatment may be more successful.
When you have a med upical check, your doctor will usually talk to you about:
➡️your medical history
➡️employment (to determine possible impact on your health)
➡️your family’s history of disease such a heart, diabetes, stroke.
➡️lifestyle generally (including your diet, weight, how much you exercise)
➡️whether or not you smoke and drink alcohol or take illegal drugs
Regular checks may help your doctor pick up early warning signs. If you have a family history or high risk for other reasons of a particular health condition, your doctor may recommend more frequent health checks at an earlier age.
These are some common tests, but your doctor may recommend others according to your situation.
SUMMARY OF HEALTH CHECKS OFTEN SUGGESTED BY YOUR DOCTOR:
1. HEART CHECKS
Blood pressure
Your blood pressure is usually checked every 2 years if it is normal, you are aged under 40 years, and there is no family history of high blood pressure.
Have it checked yearly or more regularly if you are over 40, your blood pressure is on the high side, or you have a personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack. Be advised by your doctor.
Blood tests
They will check your cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides, iron levels, and thyroid among other things. High levels may indicate an increased risk of various health problems, including heart disease.
If you are over 45, the doctor is likely to suggest blood tests about once every 5 years. If you are at high risk of heart disease and have a family history, you should be tested every year from the age of 40.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)– this is a non-invasive and painless medical test that detects cardiac (heart) abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity generated by the heart as it contracts.
Obesity tests – being overweight is a significant risk factor for many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI)and waist measurement every 2 years. If you are at a higher risk, you should have your weight checked more frequently.
Anyone 45 years and over, or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, should have a regular heart health check with their doctor. A heart health check is a 20-minute check-up with your GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Heart health checks are covered by Medicare and are free at practices that bulk bill this service.
2. DIABETES TESTS
This is a serious condition where glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes higher than normal. People with diabetes can have difficulty changing glucose into energy which leads to higher levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia). Your blood glucose levels are normally controlled by a hormone called insulin. Diabetes happens when your
pancreas can’t produce enough insulin or when your body can’t use the insulin because it’s resistant to it.
There are several types of diabetes:
🚩type 1 diabetes
🚩type 2 diabetes
🚩gestational diabetes, which happens when a woman has high blood glucose levels during
pregnancy pre-diabetes, where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes
What are the most common symptoms of diabetes?
⏹️Being very thirsty or hungry
⏹️passing more urine (wee) than usual
⏹️feeling tired
⏹️unexplained weight loss (for type 1 diabetes), or gradual weight gain (for type 2 diabetes)having cuts that heal slowly
⏹️itchy skin or skin infections
⏹️blurred vision
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker
Type 1 diabetes is usually spotted quickly as symptoms can appear suddenly.
Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t have any symptoms at all or have signs that go unnoticed for a long time.
TESTING FOR DIABETES
Tests for diabetes include a laboratory blood glucose test ordered by your doctor (not using a home blood glucose meter). The most common test is the fasting blood glucose test (no food or fluid except water for eight hours before). Others include a test taken anytime during the day with no preparation, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test, or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
Talk to your doctor about having your risk of diabetes assessed and how often you should be tested.
Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 5 years can be assessed by completing the Australian type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool (AUSDRISK), a short list of questions.
You can complete AUSDRISK by yourself, or with the help of a health professional or practice nurse to assess the risk of a person developing type 2 diabetes over the next 5 years.
You can complete the tool in 1 of 3 ways:
-using the online interactive version
-using the online non-interactive version
-downloading the PDF version
-and completing it on paper.
If you get a 'high' score on AUSDRISK, you are eligible to attend a type 2 diabetes risk evaluation by your GP if you are aged:
40 to 49 years (inclusive)15 to 54 years (inclusive) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Risk Factors for Getting Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes risk factors including - you have pre-diabetes, a family history of diabetes (for example, if you have a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes) and/or are over 55 years. The risk increases with age, are over 45 years and overweight and obese or have high blood pressure are over 35 years and from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, or from a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background, had gestational diabetes during a pregnancy, have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)have cardiovascular disease such as past history of heart attack, angina, stroke or narrowed blood vessels taking certain antipsychotic medication or corticosteroid medication.
Other lifestyle risk factors include:
➡️being overweight or obese, especially around the waist
➡️sedentary lifestyle – having low levels of physical activity, including more than two hours of television watching per day
➡️unhealthy eating habits, such as regularly choosing
➡️high-fat,high-sugar,high-saltorlow-fibre foods
➡️cigarette smoking.
3, BOWEL CANCER CHECKS
Screening for bowel cancer in people aged 45 to 74 who do not have any symptoms, helps to find cancer early. The bowel cancer screening test uses chemicals to check a bowel motion sample for blood, which may be a sign of bowel cancer.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program sends free test kits in the mail to people aged 50 to 74, every 2 years (to the address connected to your medicare card)
If you are between the age of 45-49, you can also request your first free bowel screening kit to be mailed to you. If you have a family history of bowel cancer, please talk to your doctor about what screening options are right for you. People at high risk of bowel cancer may need a colonscopy more regularly. During this test, the doctor inserts a slender instrument called a colonoscope through the anus to visually check the rectum and large bowel for any abnormalities.
4. EYE CHECKS FOR VISION AND EYE HEALTH
Eyesight tends to deteriorate with age. Serious eye concerns can include cataracts, skin cancer on the eye, cataracts, mascular degeneration,
diabetic retinopathy.
People older than 65 years should have an annual examination, however, more frequent testing may be recommended for those with certain risk factors, such as:
a family history of eye disease,
a personal history of eye disease or injury,
certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes,
taking certain medications.
If you already wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, you should have your eyes tested every year. Adults who do not wear prescription glasses or contact lenses should have an eye test every 2 years.
5. STI'S Sexually transmissible infections (STI) screening
If you are sexually active, you should get tested for chlamydia every year between the ages of 15 and 29, using a simple urine test. Chlamydia is very
common and does not always show symptoms.
If you are at risk of other sexually transmissible infections such a herpes or HIV/AIDS raise your concerns and ask your doctor about further testing.
6. BONE DENSITY CHECKS - OSTEOPOROSIS
Advancing age is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone density and the weakening of the building blocks
that make up your bones.
People living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures (broken bones).
If you have higher-than-average risk factors for osteoporosis your doctor might refer you for a bone density scan.
Bone density scans are widely accessible, painless, are often covered by Medicare and involve minimal levels of radiation.
What is a bone density scan?
A bone density scan is a medical test used to help diagnose osteoporosis and are also used to help see whether your risk of developing osteoporosis in the future is
higher than average. As a result, people living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, leading to an increased risk of bone
A bone density scan is also known as a bone density test, a bone mineral density test or by its medical name, a DXA test.
How does a bone density scan measure my bone strength?
A bone density scan is done using a special type of x-ray called a dual energy x-ray (DXA). The DXA measures bone mineral density. The scan gives you and
your doctors information about your bone strength or fragility (weakness), and your risk of fractures. In general, the lower your bone density, the higher your
risk of having broken bones in the future.
Do I need a bone density scan?
If you are at risk of getting osteoporosis, your doctor will refer you for a bone density scan.
People with an average risk of getting osteoporosis include:
post-menopausal
females aged 45 years and and males over 50 years
People with a high risk of osteoporosis include males over the age of 60 years and females over the age of 50 years who also:
have a family history of a fragility fractures
smoke or have a high alcohol intake
have vitamin D deficiency
have low body weight
have recurrent falls
are immobile (cannot walk or do housework without help) or have low levels of physical activity.
Some medical conditions can also put you at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan.
Health conditions include:
endocrine (hormone) disorders
early menopause
anorexia nervosa
inflammatory conditions and conditions causing malabsorption(problems in your digestive tract or gut)
chronic kidney or liver disease
diabetes
HIV
Taking certain medicines can also increase your risk of osteoporosis, so if you take one of the following medicines, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan to check your bone health.
Your doctor will review all factors and assess your overall fracture risk. If you have already had a fracture, and based on your other risk factors, your doctor will work out if your risk of more fractures is higher than average. If you are, you will most likely be referred for a bone density scan.
For example, if you are over 45 years of age, and have broken a bone after a minor fall or incident (known as a ‘low-trauma fracture’), if you are a female who has gone through
menopause or if you are an older male who has had a vertebral fracture (a break to one of the bones in your spine), you will likely need a bone density scan.
6. Breast cancer screening - 1-7 Australian women - are you eligible and been to have your breast screen? BOOK IN! Even if you are not eligible, GO SEE THE DR!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian women. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in women over 60.
Watch the important Utube video - "listen to your body- make the effort to book in and have a scan to look after your body." It's the ultimate act of self care!
Breast screening (also known as mammogram) is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early. If breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be successfully treated and improve your chance of surviving it.
BreastScreen Australia invites women aged 50 to 74 for free mammograms every 2 years.
If you are in your 40s or over 75, discuss the risks and benefits of screening with your doctor. Women under 40 are not eligible for the screening program but can have a mammogram done with a GP's referral at any age.
It is important that at any age, if you notice any breast symptoms or a change in the look and feel of your breast to see your doctor without delay.
7. Cervical screening test
Having regular cervical screening tests can help prevent cervical cancers through early detection and treatment.
Cervical cancer screening is recommended every 5 years for women and people with a cervix who are aged 25 to 74 years and have ever been sexually active.
The cervical screening test (which replaced the pap test) checks for the presence of the human papilloma virus
– a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
Even if you have been vaccinated against HPV, regular cervical screening is still important as the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV infection.
Screening is available for eligible people through the National Cervical Screening Program.
You can usually collect your own vaginal sample if they choose, this is called self-collection. Self-collection is a safe and effective method of testing.
8. Pregnancy
You should have a general check-up before becoming pregnant to discuss any health risks during pregnancy. Once you are pregnant, regular antenatal checks help monitor your baby’s development, pick up abnormalities and assess your health.
Tests related to pregnancy may include ultrasound scans, urine tests, blood tests and genetic testing.
Some antenatal tests are recommended for all pregnant women, while others are only necessary for women at increased risk of complications.
Be advised by your doctor.
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Yikes - another leak
Why am I leaking?
Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common but often inconvenient and embarrassing problem which can rob us of our self esteem and confidence. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.
Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don't hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Symptoms
Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently.
Types of urinary incontinence include:
· Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
· Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.
· Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.
· Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
· Mixed incontinence. You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence — most often this refers to a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
When to see a doctor
You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. However, if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it's important to seek medical advice because urinary incontinence may:
· Cause you to restrict your activities and limit your social interactions
· Negatively impact your quality of life, self esteem and confidence
· Increase the risk of falls in older adults as they rush to the toilet
· Indicate a more serious underlying condition.
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