Health checks for women

#Health checks for women

Breast checks to detect breast cancer

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Make checking your breasts part of your everyday routines such as getting dressed or showering. You should be aware of the usual look and feel of your breasts so you can detect any changes. The earlier you get treatment for breast cancer, the better your chances of surviving the disease. Females aged 50–74 years should get regular mammograms to help maximise their chances of finding breast cancer early. Not every lump is a cancer. Discuss any changes with your doctor as soon as possible. Why should I check my breasts regularly? Checking your breasts regularly is the best

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Skin cancer and melanoma

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Skin cancer occurs when skin cells grow abnormally, usually from too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The 3 main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma — melanoma is the most dangerous type. Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in older people, people with fair or freckled skin and those with a family history. There are several ways to treat skin cancer, depending on the type, its size and location, and whether it has spread. Most skin cancers are successfully treated —

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Mammography

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray scan of your breasts. Mammograms find breast changes that are too small to see or feel during a physical examination. Mammograms can screen for breast cancer in people without symptoms, or help diagnose breast cancer in people with symptoms. Cancer Council Australia recommends that females aged 50 to 74 have regular 2-yearly screening mammograms to detect early breast cancers. Females aged over 40 can receive free 2-yearly screening mammograms through the BreastScreen Australia program. What is a mammogram? A mammogram uses low dose x-rays to create an image of the breast. It can find

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Healthy blood pressure

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts When blood is pumped by the heart around the body, the pressure of the blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels changes. Your blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on many factors including your general health and activity levels. Blood pressure can be measured manually, with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, or with an automated blood pressure machine. High blood pressure can increase your risk of many health conditions, especially heart disease. Low blood pressure does not always cause problems, but if it does, you should speak to your doctor about ways to manage it.

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Genetic testing

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Genetic testing is when a lab checks your genes for variations or mutations. Some types of genetic variations can cause medical problems or increase the likelihood of developing certain diseases in the future. You may consider genetic testing if you are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or are concerned that you or your child carry an inherited condition. Genetic counsellors can give you advice and support if you are considering genetic testing. It’s important to think about the potential implications of a genetic testing result before you have the test. What are genes? Genes contain the instructions for making

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Eye tests

By Sama Mohamed

  Regular eye tests with an optometrist can help make sure your eyes are in good health. They can pick up problems with your eyes before you notice anything. You don’t need a doctor’s referral to see an optometrist for an eye test. Why should I have an eye test? Regular eye tests can detect and diagnose eye problems in the early stages, such as: glaucoma cataracts macular degeneration The earlier these problems are diagnosed, the sooner you can get treated. This will improve your vision outcomes. Eye tests can also help identify if you have trouble seeing at different distances. You

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Cholesterol and lipid tests

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts A cholesterol (or lipid profile) blood test looks at the levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. You might need this test if your doctor wants to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke. You will usually need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before having this test. This means not eating any food and drinking only water. You should talk about the results of your lipid profile test with your doctor. What is a cholesterol and lipid blood test? Lipids and cholesterol are fat-like substances in your body. A cholesterol (or lipid profile) test looks

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Cervical screening test

By Sama Mohamed

Cervical screening test The cervical screening test is a new, more accurate way of protecting females against cervical cancer. It was introduced in Australia in December 2017, and is expected to protect almost one third more people from cervical cancer than the old Pap test. The Pap test used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix, the entrance to the uterus (womb) from the vagina. Now the cervical screening test looks for evidence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cell changes in the cervix. The cervical screening test looks and feels the same as the Pap

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Bowel cancer screening

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Bowel cancer screening tests can detect bowel cancer early, before you have symptoms. Bowel cancer can be cured if it’s found early. A faecal occult blood test, or FOBT, is a type of bowel cancer screening test. If you are in Australia and aged between 50 and 74 years, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will send you a free test kit. Bowel cancer screening Why is bowel cancer screening important? A bowel cancer screening test can show early signs of bowel cancer. It can show up signs of cancer even before you have symptoms. Screening tests are different from

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Bone density scan

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts A bone density scan is a medical test used to help identify low bone density and diagnose 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 (for example, older age, various medical conditions and long term use of certain medicines) your doctor might refer you for a bone density scan. Bone density scans are widely accessible, painless, are

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Blood glucose test

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Blood glucose tests are also known as blood sugar tests. Blood glucose tests are usually used to check for or monitor diabetes. Blood glucose tests may also be recommended if you have symptoms that may be related to low blood glucose levels. Blood glucose tests may be done as part of a test called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). If your result shows a high blood glucose level, your doctor may suggest repeating the test and having other tests. What is a blood glucose test? Blood glucose tests are also sometimes called blood sugar tests. Glucose is

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Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are measurements that you can use to see if you’re a healthy weight. Body mass index and waist circumference can be used to assess your risk of developing some health issues. In some populations, body mass index is less accurate. What is body mass index (BMI)? Body mass index (BMI) is calculated from your weight and height. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height as follows: BMI = Weight in kilos/Height in metres x Height in metres You can find your BMI using the healthdirect BMI

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