Bowel Screening
People aged 45 to 74 can screen for bowel cancer using a free, simple test that is done at home. Screening to detect the early signs of bowel cancer saves lives.
Contact
Call the information hotline on 1800 627 701
For more information
- Visit the website
- Ask your doctor, nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker.
Breast Screening
A breast screen, also called a mammogram or mammography, uses a low-dose X-ray to examine the breasts and look for anything that may be a sign of breast cancer. It is important to get a breast screen every two years, even if you don’t have any symptoms. This helps find breast cancer early, when it’s too small to feel by you or your doctor.
Cancers that are small are more easily treated. Breast screening can help to find breast cancer early and leads to better treatment outcomes.
Who is breast screening for?
Breast screening or mammogram is generally recommended for:
Women aged 50 to 74
Women in this age group are recommended to have a free breast screen (also called as mammogram) every two years, as this is the age group that is most affected by breast cancer.
Women aged over 40 or over 75
Women in these age groups can also get free breast screening but should yarn through the benefits and risks with their doctor.
Breast screening or mammogram is generally not recommended for:
Women aged under 40
Mammograms are less effective at detecting breast cancer in women under 40 because the breasts of younger women are usually denser than those of older women. Dense areas of breast tissue appear white on X-rays, and breast cancers also appear white. This makes it harder to find cancers in the X-rays of younger women’s breasts. If you are under 40 and concerned about breast cancer due to family history or any recent changes in your breasts, yarn with your doctor to work out what other tests need to be arranged.
For more information visit the website.
Bulk billing
Bulk billing is now becoming more accessible for all Australians. The Australian Government has expanded eligibility for MBS bulk billing incentives and established the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program meaning more GPs are now offering bulk billed appointments for Medicare-eligible patients.
To find a bulk billing practice visit the website.
Cervical Screening
If you are 25 to 74 years old, female and have ever been sexually active, you should have your first cervical screening test 2 years after your last Pap smear. This includes people vaccinated and unvaccinated for HPV as well as people who identify as lesbian or transgender. If you are turning 25 years old, or are aged 25 to 74 years and have never had a Pap smear or Cervical Screening Test before, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider to have a Cervical Screening Test.
Contact
- Phone: 13 15 56
For more information visit the website.
Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute
The Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute facilitates:
- clinical, basic and translational research
- education for treatment providers, patients and the community.
The service model aims to support the coordination and accessibility of high-quality, comprehensive services for breast cancer patients and other breast diseases across the Metro North catchment.
For more information visit the website.
Diabetes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are almost four times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy.
While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.
There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
How does diabetes affect the body?
When someone has diabetes, their body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.
For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy.
Contact
Diabetes Australia
Diabetes resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)
The NDSS Helpline service is for people with diabetes, their family members and carers.
- Phone the NDSS Helpline: 1300 136 588
Healing
Explore detailed information about the Stolen Generations, including who they are, key dates, redress options, and survivor stories.
The Healing Foundation offers a range of resources for the community, as well as for individuals involved in education and policy, focusing on Stolen Generations survivors, their descendants, families and communities.
Healthcare rights
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the right to accessible, safe, respectful, culturally appropriate healthcare, to be informed and involved in decisions, have their privacy protected, and provide feedback to improve services.
For more information, check out the flyer.
Immunisation
Immunisation is a simple and effective way of protecting yourself and your family.
Immunisation works by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases. If a vaccinated person meets these diseases, their immune system is able to respond more effectively. This either prevents the disease from developing or reduces the severity. Immunisation not only protects your own family, but also others by helping to control serious diseases in our community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get extra vaccines for free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These extra vaccinations are to protect you against serious disease. These extra immunisations are in addition to all the other routine vaccinations offered throughout life.
For more information
More about immunisation for:
Kidney disease
Kidney disease (also called renal disease) is a general term for when the kidneys are damaged and don’t function as they should.
Kidney disease can be treated once diagnosed. However, in many cases it goes undetected until serious damage has been done, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you notice any symptoms.
What do your kidneys do?
You have 2 kidneys, 1 either side of your backbone, just above the small of your back. Each kidney is about the size of a closed fist.
The main role of the kidneys is to filter your blood to remove waste. As well, your kidneys help control blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and keep your bones strong.
Contact
For more information contact your local GP or Aboriginal Medical Centre.
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is a significant issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce illness and death from lung cancer by detecting signs of the disease early through screening. The program will save hundreds of lives each year.
For more information
Find out more about:
Visit the website.
Lung Cancer Screening Trial
Lung cancer is the most common cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, making up about one in every six cancer diagnoses. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also about 70% more likely to get lung cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.
If eligible, participants are offered a free low-dose CT scan of the chest at a nearby radiology service. The scan is quick, painless and uses a very small amount of radiation that is carefully monitored. Results are sent to the participant’s GP, who talks through what they mean and whether any follow-up is needed.
For more information visit the website
Quit Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping hurts your body and your wallet: you can feel proud of your decision to quit and treat yourself with the money you save. You might choose to buy rugby tickets, a new TV or renovate the house. It’s up to you.
The second you quit smoking: your body starts to heal. In time you’ll find yourself fitter, healthier overall and less stressed. Being a non-smoker comes with so many benefits to how you feel inside and out. And the more years you stay quit, the more of them you gain.
Contact
Quitline
Rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a notifiable chronic condition caused by damage to the heart valves, which occurs after single or repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF is an autoimmune disease which occurs following infection with Group A Streptococcus bacterium (Strep). Repeated episodes of ARF can lead to accumulative damage to the heart valves, which may require surgery.
If untreated, RHD can lead to heart failure and complications like stroke and can greatly reduce the ability to lead a normal life.
RHD can cause complications in pregnancy.