7
BALANCE TEST
Why do it: A study
published in the journal
Stroke found that being
unable to balance on one leg
for 20 seconds or more was
associated with cerebral
small-vessel disease, which
could up the risk of stroke and
decreased cognitive function.
(Uncontrolled blood sugars
over time can aect brainhealth, too, so keep your
numbers in check to avoid
complications such
as dementia.)How to do it: Stand with
your weight evenly balanced
between both legs. Lift one
leg and, with your eyes open,
clock how long you can balance,
up to one minute. Your goal?
Twenty seconds or more.WORDS
KAREN ASP, ELLIE GRIFFITHS
ILLUSTRATIONS
GWEN KERAVAL
BOWEL CANCER
SCREENING AT HOME
About 80 Australians
die of bowel cancer
every week. If detected
early, as many as 90 per
cent of cases can be
treated successfully. The
National Bowel Cancer
Screening Program
(introduced in 2006)
offers a free bowel
cancer screening kit
to help save lives.What is it? If you’re
aged 50-74; have
Medicare Entitlement
as either an Australian
citizen, migrant or
are registered as a
Department of Veterans
Affairs (DVA) customer;
have a mailing address
in Australia; and are not
a temporary resident,
conditional migrant or a
Reciprocal Health Care
Agreement recipient,
you may be eligible to
receive a free testing kit- that’s quick and easy,
and can be completed
in the privacy of your
own home.
Does it work? Yes. This
is the best way to detect
bowel cancer early as
it can often develop
without any symptoms.
Evidence shows that
regular screening (every
two years) can reduce
deaths by 15-25 per
cent; and through early
detection up to 90 per
cent of cases can be
successfully treated. ■Poor balance
is also related
to problems
such as falling,
neuropathy
and inner-ear
issues, so talk
to your health
care provider.diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2018 97self care