What is Women’s Health Week?
Women’s Health Week (5-11 September 2022) was started in 2013 by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women’s health. The annual Women’s Health Week campaign acts as a reminder for women to set aside time for their health and wellbeing.
Make an appointment for a health check, get active, join an event or simply connect with other women.
For more information, visit https://www.womenshealthweek.com.au/
Why are Health Checks so important?
As a national pathology provider, Clinical Labs understands the importance of regular GP Health Checks. Preventative Health Checks assess your cardiovascular health, screen for diabetes, check the functioning of your thyroid, liver and other vital organs, as well as screen for cancers. The results from these tests can lead to the early identification and management of disease - potentially highlighting any serious health issues before it’s too late.
The oxygen mask analogy
If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you’ll recall the airline crew instructing passengers to fit their own oxygen masks first before helping others if cabin pressure were to drop. The same goes for our health. We need to ensure we take the time to look after our own health, so we are functioning at our best both physically and mentally to enable us to care for those we love. We cannot look after our loved ones if we are not well ourselves.
When was your last GP Health Check?
Are you experiencing new symptoms that you have been meaning to discuss with your GP? Have you been feeling more tired than normal? Do you have any new aches or pains?
Look after yourself this week and book in for a GP Health Check.
Discuss your symptoms with your GP - they may order a series of pathology tests to check for the potential cause of your symptoms. Tests may include:
- iron studies
- thyroid/liver/kidney function
- full blood count
- cholesterol
- blood glucose (sugar)
- vitamin D/vitamin B12/folate
- inflammatory markers
- cancer screenings and more.
In 2020, coronary heart disease was the 2nd largest cause of death (6,547) in Australian women.1
GP Health Checks are particularly vital in assessing your risk of cardiovascular disease, by checking your blood pressure and referral to pathology for cholesterol and diabetes testing along with cardiac testing (ECG, Holter monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring).
Are you up-to-date with your cancer screenings?
We are very fortunate in Australia to have access to several cancer screening tests under Medicare.
Cervical Screening Test
In 2020, 209 Australian women died of cervical cancer.2 The National Cervical Screening Program aims to eradicate cervical cancer in Australia through the availability of the HPV vaccine. Under The National Cervical Screening Program women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 are invited to have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years through their healthcare provider.
If you are sexually active and under 30, this is also an ideal time to get tested for STIs, as some of the more common STIs can be tested for using the same swab as the Cervical Screening Test.
Mammogram
In 2020, breast cancer was the 5th leading cause of death for Australian women, resulting in 3,110 deaths.1 The BreastScreen Australia Program aims to reduce illness and death from breast cancer by detecting the disease early. Under the BreastScreen Australia Program, women aged 50 to 74 are invited to have a free mammogram every 2 years. Women aged 40-49 can still have a free breast screen every 2 years, you just won’t be sent an invitation in the mail.
Bowel Screening
In 2019, 2,399 Australian women died of bowel cancer.3 The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting the early signs of the disease. Eligible Australians aged between 50 and 74 will receive a free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kit every 2 years in the mail, to complete at home.
Skin Cancer Check
- In 2019, 464 Australian women died from melanoma4
- Melanoma is the most common cancer in Australians aged 20 to 395
- Australia and New Zealand have the highest rate of melanoma in the world6
The good news is, that if caught early, 90% of melanomas can be cured with surgery.5
Do you get regular skin cancer checks? If you’re overdue for your Skin Check, book in to see your GP, skin cancer practitioner (such as SunDoctors) or dermatologist. If you have noticed any changes to an existing mole or spot, book in for a single spot check.
With all of the above cancer screenings, if you notice any symptoms of disease before you are due for your next screening, please book in to see your GP or specialist as soon as possible.
How can Australian Clinical Labs help?
Australian Clinical Labs is a full service pathology provider with collection centres located in all Australian states (excluding Tasmania). We offer all routine pathology tests, with cardiac testing services available at select locations (ECG, holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). We accept all pathology request forms, and for most collections a booking is not required.
To find a Clinical Labs collection centre near you go to clinciallabs.com.au/location.
Visit one of our friendly collectors with your pathology request form today!
References
1. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-death/deaths-in-australia/contents/leading-causes-of-death
2. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/cervical-cancer/statistics#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20deaths%20from,deaths%20per%20100%2C000%20in%202020.
3. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/bowel-cancer/statistics#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20there%20were%205%2C255,2%2C836%20males%20and%202%2C459%20females
4. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/melanoma/statistics#:~:text=100%2C000%20in%202017.-,Deaths,843%20males%20and%20472%20females
5. https://www.melanoma.org.au/understanding-melanoma/melanoma-facts-and-statistics/
6. https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer/melanoma.html
Learn more about Health Checks for women
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/health-checks-for-women
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/health-checks-for-women