Cancer Health Guide

On average, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 20 minutes in Queensland. All of us know someone who is affected. One in two Queenslanders will develop cancer before the age of 85. However, treatment can be more successful when cancer is found early.

KEY THINGS TO MONITOR AND SCREEN AS YOU GET OLDER.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease of the limbs (periphery)s. You should have an assessment of CVD risk every 2 years unless your doctor already knows you are high risk.

Your doctor may ask you questions and test your blood pressure and cholesterol as well as check for other health conditions.

High blood pressure

You should have a blood pressure test every 2 years, or 6 to 12 months if you have a moderate risk of CVD and 6 to 12 weeks if your risk is high.

Apart from diet and exercise recommendations, other ways to prevent high blood pressure include:

• maintaining a waist measurement of less than 94cm for men and less than 80cm for women

• limiting salt to 5mg per day, or 4mg if you have high blood pressure

Cholesterol and lipids

It’s recommended you have your cholesterol and lipids checked every 5 years with a blood test, or every 1 to 2 years if you have a higher risk of CVD.

Type 2 diabetes

In your 60s you should be tested every 3 years to see if you have type 2 diabetes, or every 12 months if you are at increased risk. Your doctor will organise a blood test to check your glucose level.

Stroke

If you are at high risk of a stroke, your doctor should assess you every 12 months.

The assessment may involve a series of questions and tests for CVD risk factors including atrial fibrillation.

Immunisation

The following vaccinations are advised for people in their 60s:

• herpes zoster (shingles) — once, from 60 years old (available free on the vaccination schedule from ages 70 to 79)

• influenza — each year, from 65 years old (available free on the vaccination schedule)

Kidney disease

Kidney disease should be assessed every 1 to 2 years if you are at high risk. Risk factors can be similar to CVD or could involve an injury to your kidney.

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions as well as checking your blood pressure and doing a urine test.

Breast cancer

A mammogram is recommended every 2 years for women at lower risk from breast cancer. Women at higher risk may have an individual program developed by their doctor.

You should be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts and should see your doctor straight away if you see or feel any unusual changes.

Skin cancer

If you are in your 60s, your doctor may check your skin even if you have an appointment for another reason. If you are at high risk for skin cancer you should have a complete skin check every 6 to 12 months. Ensure that you ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’ to protect your skin from future sun damage.

Cervical cancer

To test for cervical cancer, women should have a cervical screening test 2 years after their last Pap test. After that, if your result is normal they will only need to have the cervical screening test every 5 years.

Colorectal (bowel or colon) cancer

Every 2 years, it is recommended you have a test for bowel cancer using a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), even if you have no symptoms or family history of bowel cancer.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will send you a free FOBT every 2 years. Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend that you have a colonoscopy.

Osteoporosis and fracture

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals and become more brittle, putting them at risk of fractures.

Your doctor may ask you screening questions every 12 months to assess your risk. If you are high risk or experience a fracture following a small bump or fall, this should be investigated further. This involves a simple scan with a machine, taking around 10 to 15 minutes. To help prevent osteoporosis, ensure you have 1,300mg of calcium per day if you are a woman or 1,000mg per day if you are a man.

Tooth decay and gum disease

You can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease by:

• brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

• spitting out the toothpaste, not rinsing

• using dental floss

• limiting foods and drinks high in acid and sugar

• visiting a dentist every 12 months, or more if required

Falls

When you are over 65, your doctor may assess your risk for falls every year, or every 6 months if you’ve already had a fall.

Vision and hearing

From 65, you should have a hearing test each year, and if you and your doctor think you need it, an eye test.

Dementia

Your doctor may suggest that you are assessed once you are over 65 if you have a higher risk or show symptoms of dementia.

Healthy lifestyle recommendations

Quit smoking

Eat healthy

Limit alcohol

Be physically active – Focus on strength, balance, flexibility exercises

Keep your mind at peace

Cancer Support And Service Directory

CANCER COUNCIL QUEENSLAND

Based in Maroochydore the council provide a wide range of information on local services and support.

Phone: 13 11 20 www.cancerqld.org.au

BLOOMHILL CANCER CARE

Integrated cancer care for people diagnosed with cancer and support for their families through their centre in Buderim. They currently support over 1,300 clients. Services provided:

Skilled Registered Nurses at Bloomhill offer coordination of care through assessment, support, identification of needs and referral to appropriate services. They also provide education and information and are a point of contact at any time for clients.

Allied health professional services: counselling, health psychology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy and acupuncture.

Mind-body therapies: lymphedema service, oncology and remedial massage, reflexology, art therapy, meditation and mindfulness practices, yoga, Qi Gong and Pilates.

Education and wellbeing services: Bloomhill has support groups for clients, their families and carers, focusing on secondary breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer survivorship support, Myeloma peer support, young adults with cancer support and child and adolescent services.

Phone: 5445 5794 www.bloomhill.com.au

CANSURVIVE

Cansurvive a holistic cancer healing centre based in Nambour. They provide a wide range of resources and hold events to help people understand and heal from cancer.

Phone: 07 5441 5730 www.cansurvive.org.au

BEAUTIFUL YOU PROGRAM

Beautiful You Program provides practical emotional and spiritual support for women on their cancer journey. They provide practical, financial and emotional support so as to help families lead as normal a life as possible. Services include: oncology massage, beauty treatments, prosthetic and lingerie fitting service, wigs, house cleaning and activity programs

Phone 07 5445 0612 www.beautifulyouprogram.com.au

ICON

Icon Cancer Centre Maroochydore provides the latest in radiation therapy technology to treat all types of cancers in a friendly and supportive environment. They recently installed Varian’s Hyperarc technology to precisely target multiple brain metastases.

Phone 07 5414 3700 www.iconcancercentre.com.au

GENESIS CARE

Genesis Care deliver various Radiation Oncology and Allied Health Services via SCHOC. They have two treatment centres on the Sunshine Coast, at Buderim and Nambour.

Phone: 07 5445 0612 www.genesiscare.com