Recommended Health Screening Guideline

• Cervical Screening Test: Women aged 25–74 who have ever engaged in sexual contact should undergo this test every five years.
• Breast Screening: For early detection of breast cancer, mammograms are advised every two years for individuals aged 50 to 74. Breast screens are now free for women over 40 years of age.
• Bowel Cancer Screening: A home test is suggested every two years for those aged 45 to 74.
• Heart Health Check: Typically recommended for individuals aged 45 to 79, or sooner for high-risk groups, to evaluate blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• Diabetes Screening: It is advised every three years starting at age 40 for the general population, with earlier testing for First Nations women.
• Bone Health Assessment: Discuss the need for this screening annually after menopause; your doctor may suggest a bone density scan.

This week in celebration of Women’s Health Week – Jean Hailes have launched a new tool to help you stay on top of your health checks. Check it out here.

Check out our own resident Gynaecology Nurse – Rebecca Lark discusses the cervical screening test in more detail in this video

For Day Two of Women’s Health Week, we chatted to our team and doctors and compiled their tips for what to do and how to prepare for an appointment.

Before your appointment

• Make sure you are prepared by writing down any symptoms you’re experiencing, questions you have, or medications you’re taking. This will help ensure you don’t forget important details during your conversation.
• Double check times and dates of your appointment and check if there were any specific instructions provided i.e. what you needed to bring, any prep you needed to complete.

During your appointment

• Be honest and open about your health concerns, even if they feel embarrassing or minor. Your doctor is there to help you, and having all the information is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Bring a list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This helps your doctor understand what you’re currently taking and how it might affect your treatment plan.
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your health and treatment options.
• Consider bringing a friend or family member with you. They can provide support, help remember information, and ask additional questions you might not think of.
• Take notes during your appointment or ask for permission to record the conversation. This can help you remember the doctor’s advice and instructions later.
• Follow up after your appointment if you have additional questions or if your symptoms change. Communication with your doctor is an ongoing process, ensuring you stay on the path to good health.

Visit the Jean Hailes website to see their curated tips and resources for arming yourself with the right knowledge and tools in preparation for your appointments and conversations with your Doctor.

The Importance of Heart Health for Women

Heart health is crucial for everyone, regardless of gender or age. However, in our discussion about being “heart smart” for women’s health, we want to focus specifically on women’s heart health and the changes that can occur as they age.

Did you know that women typically develop heart disease later in life compared to men? This is primarily due to the protective effects of oestrogen, which women (or those assigned female at birth) benefit from until they reach menopause.

Menopause can impact heart health in several ways, including:

• Cholesterol levels: An increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol. These changes can elevate the risk of heart disease.
• Increased blood pressure
• Weight gain
• Higher risk of diabetes
• Alterations in blood vessel function
• Reduced sleep quality

While it’s essential to be aware of these risks, you may wonder how to mitigate them during or as you approach menopause. Here are some strategies:

• Engage in regular exercise: This aids in weight management, improves heart health, and helps lower blood pressure.
• Adopt a healthy diet
• Keep track of cholesterol levels and schedule heart health check-ups
• Limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking
• Aim for a good night’s sleep

Transforming Pain into Power

Today, we focus on the theme of pain and how to convert it into strength. It’s essential to recognise that pain can impact women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) in unique ways.

Despite the strides we’ve made in addressing gender pay gaps and discrimination, significant issues regarding health and pain disparities still persist.

These challenges may include:

• Delayed diagnoses and misdiagnoses: Particularly for conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, and fibromyalgia.
• Inequitable pain management: Access to effective treatment varies widely.
• Worsened health outcomes: When pain goes untreated or is misdiagnosed, the consequences can be severe and damaging.

Ensuring access to the best care and treatment is crucial.

In this video, Associate Professor Anusch Yazdani and our Fertility Nurse, Sam Costa, explore the impact of pain on women.

Be Kind To Your Mind

Below are some tips for managing your wellbeing, as well as some of the signs or symptoms to be aware of if you should ever find your mental health is suffering.

Tips for mental wellbeing

Get enough sleep

Your brain needs time to unwind at the end of each day. Practice relaxation techniques to help you wind down and prepare for sleep, such as taking a warm bath an hour before bedtime, listening to soothing music and switching off all screens. Ensure your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet, and your bed is comfortable to help promote sleep.

Make time to “worry”

If you find yourself unable to sleep because you’re worrying or thinking about your “to-do” list, try to set a time for your thoughts each day that is early enough that it won’t make you anxious before bed.  Some people might do this on an afternoon walk, or they might go and sit somewhere peaceful. In the day write down your worries as they pop into your head, so you can dismiss them and save them for your “worry” time. If you find your worries aren’t important anymore, cut your allocated time short and enjoy the rest of your day.

For further reading about the concept of scheduling “worry time”, see the HelpGuide article here.

Make connections

There are many studies that show face-to-face connections help people to feel their best. If you can’t meet physically, try making regular video calls or phone calls to your friends and family.

Eat a healthy mind diet

Eat a healthy, balanced diet but also experiment with what foods you function best on. Foods that may negatively impact your health or mood could include alcohol, fried food, sugar, caffeine or preservatives, whereas nutrient-rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables or seeds are healthier and mood-lifting.

Keep physically active

Powerful brain chemicals called endorphins are released when we exercise. These endorphins boost our mood and energy levels. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise daily and see your doctor before starting an exercise program to ensure it’s right for you.

Manage your stress

Knowing how to manage and recognise your stress is an important way to prevent becoming overwhelmed. Some ways to manage stress include:

• Making leisure time a priority and enjoying some of your favourite activities.
• Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
• Identifying what triggers cause you stress and work out ways to prevent it.
• Sharing your stresses with a friend and/or seeking their advice too on managing them.
• Seeking professional support from a GP, counsellor or psychologist.