What’s on today’s agenda?
Listening time: 2 mins
Listening time: 2 mins
But this week, it’s time to get doggedly determined to take back control of your health, with proven and positive steps in preventing serious health issues.
Here are the health checks for your bladder and bowel and how often you need them.
People aged over 50 are at greatest risk of bowel cancer. That is why a bowel cancer screening test is recommended every two years for people between 50-74 years of age.
The test, also known as a faecal occult blood test, or FOBT, is sent to you in the mail for free by the Australian Government. It looks for tiny amounts of blood in your bowel motions (faeces, or poo), which might be coming from a bleeding bowel polyp – which most cancers start from – or early cancer.
The test sample is collected by you in your own home. It's painless, private, effective, easy and provided for free. So, what’s stopping you?
Bowel cancer is second only to breast cancer as the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women in Australia. And Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.
Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program says that 90% of cases can be treated successfully when detected early. However, more than half of us are not completing bowel cancer screening tests.
So, talk to your doctor about bowel cancer screening. Find out when you will receive your test kit via the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, or call 1800 118 868.
And remember that once you receive your test kit, use it before its expiry date.
A kidney health check consists of:
For women aged 50 years+, or for those with diabetes or high blood pressure, a kidney health check is recommended every year.
Women under 50 years who have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease are recommended to get a kidney health check every two years.
How do you know if you’re at risk? Take an online test from Kidney Health Australia and find out if you’re among the one in three Australians with an increased risk.
Blood in your bowel motions could be bright red, dark red, or the poo could even be black. You may notice it on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
There are many less serious reasons behind these signs and symptoms, but remember – bowel cancer, when left untreated, is deadly.
Don’t ignore it. Bowel Cancer Australia says to see your doctor if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
Ever heard of the gut microbiome? It’s a vast population of tiny organisms that live inside you… an amazing and fascinating inner world that is very important for your health.
Today, Women's Health Week ambassador Shelley Ware sits down with Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella and dietitian and author Karen Inge to talk about gut health, good bacteria versus bad bacteria and the top foods to help you nourish your gut microbiome.
IBS affects how the gut moves and functions. Key symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating and chronic diarrhoea or constipation (or alternating between the two).
No two women have the exact same experience of IBS, and symptoms may also come and go. The exact causes of IBS are still not known; however, we do know that IBS does not cause permanent damage to the bowel, nor does it cause other serious diseases such as bowel cancer.
There are many ways you can help manage your IBS symptoms, such as:
Lucky for us, Monash University has created a ‘one-stop shop’ for people with IBS. It’s a complete support network, filled with IBS information such as which treatments are based on research and which aren’t.
But it's important to know that your daily habits and practices can help you to avoid bladder leakage or loss of bladder control, also known as urinary incontinence.
In this article, Jean Hailes’ continence and pelvic floor physiotherapists Janetta Webb and Amy Steventon explain how to treat your bladder well at every life stage.
Each ingredient in this salad was selected by Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella, based on the evidence that shows these high-fibre, probiotic foods nourish and restore the friendly bacteria in our gut.
Bursting with colour and flavour, and finished with an Asian-inspired dressing, this delicious Red rice & aduki bean salad is the perfect lunch, dinner or side to keep your gut team happy.
The pelvic floor is the sling of muscles that acts as a hammock to your lower internal organs, so it’s the perfect topic to talk about today. It’s a crucial network of muscles that supports the function and control of your bladder and bowel, and affects your sexual health too.
Rather than being yet another task to add to a never-ending to-do list, Jean Hailes physiotherapist Janetta Webb suggests incorporating your pelvic floor exercise with something that’s already part of your routine.
Brushing your teeth? Waiting at the traffic lights on your way to work? Feeding the newborn? Now’s the time to squeeze and release.
Janetta also reminds us that “the release is just as important as the squeeze”, as some women may need to learn to release their pelvic floor muscles – for example if they have pelvic pain.
Listen to her podcast explaining the ins and outs of pelvic floor exercises.
There are many different types of prolapse, including uterine, bladder and bowel prolapse. Learn what prolapse is as well as causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management.
The Continence Foundation of Australia says that 1 in 20 Australians have a bowel control problem. Learn more via its website, and find information on pelvic floor and bladder health.
In this podcast we speak to Accredited Practising Dietitian Kim Menzies about how to achieve good gut health.
If yesterday’s topic of heart health didn’t convince you to get up and grab your sneakers, maybe these quick facts will.
Physical activity:
However, there are many ways to exercise that will protect your pelvic floor and even improve it.
Pelvic Floor First has developed an app filled with customised workouts of pelvic floor-safe exercises. It’s free and suitable for people of all fitness levels and pelvic floor strengths.
Get your personal guide to the different health checks required through your life journey by reading this e-Booklet.
Cannellini, zucchini, hemp and thyme patties... a healthy wholefood option.
When it comes to bowel health, it's no time to be timid. Here's how to stay healthy with just a few simple steps.
One in two women will get a urinary tract infection (also called a UTI or cystitis) in their lifetime.
Discover Jean Hailes fact sheets on a wide variety of women's health topics – from heart health and menopause to breast health and health checks. Some are also available in different languages.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on Women's Health Week 2020 - what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you want to see more of next year.