GETTY IMAGES
*WELL, FOR AS LONG
AS POSSIBLEEVERY TWO YEARS
PAP SMEAR:This cervical cancer
screening is recommended for all
women aged 18-70 who’ve had sex,
and can start up to two years after
you become sexually active.EVERY YEAR
BLOOD PRESSURE:“High blood
pressure detected early is the
single most important factor in
preventing renal disease, heart
disease and stroke.”
DID YOU KNOW?There’s actually a
connection between heart and brain
health. The risk of developing dementia
later in life increases if you have high blood
pressure or high cholesterol, according to
Alzheimer’s Australia.
SKIN CHECK:“Early detection of
melanoma can save your life.”
CHLAMYDIA:“An annual chlamydia
check for women aged 15-29 is
quite standard. If this isn’t treated
it can cause infertility.”
BREAST CHECK:“You should also
check your own breasts after each
menstrual cycle.”“EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF ILLNESS CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS OR PREMATURE
DEATH FROM A PREVENTABLE CAUSE,” SAYS DR MAGDALENA SIMONIS FROM
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF GPS. SCHEDULE THESE CHECK-UPS:WHEN YOU NOTICE...
A LUMP: “Most aren’t cancerous
but always get lumps anywhere
in your body checked out.”
A MOLE THAT HAS CHANGED
APPEARANCE. “If a mole or skin
lesion is itchy, bleeding or has
changed shape, colour or size, get
it checked.”
ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING:
“Ectopic pregnancy is a serious
life-threatening condition.”
UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS:
“Weight loss of more than five
per cent could mean diabetes or
thyroid disease.”
CHANGE IN YOUR BOWELS:
“Bowel cancer is rare in younger
people so GPs will also check for
inflammatory bowel diseases.”
CHANGE IN MOOD: “If you’ve
been feeling no joy in activities,
avoiding social interaction, or
feeling tearful for more than two
weeks see your GP.”MAKE FRIENDS
WITH YOUR DOCTOR
DON’T STRESS
“Short-term stress such as working
towards a deadline can be motivating,” says
Suzanne Leckie, a psychologist at SANE. “But
long-term chronic stress can lead to problems
such as weakening your immune system and
increasing the risk of heart disease. It can erode
self-esteem, cause depression and anxiety.”
Exercise and meditation can help with de-
stressing. “Practise ‘mindful walking’,” says
Leckie. “Go for a walk. What can you see? Feel?
Hear? Build this ‘mental muscle’ so you can
apply it throughout your day.” If you need help
call the SANE Helpline on 1800 187 263.NONE OF US ARE
GOING TO LIVE
FOREVER. BUT
YOU CAN GIVE
YOURSELF
A FIGHTING
CHANCE TO MAKE
TRIPLE DIGITS
BY EMPLOYING
SOME TACTICS
TO HELP STAY
FOREVER YOUNG
*CAN YOU
HAVE TOO
MUCH OF
A GOOD
THING?
Err, apparently, yes...Booze
“Drinking any alcohol
increases your risk of
cancer,” says CEO of
Cancer Council
Australia Professor
Sanchia Aranda. “If you
choose to drink, we
recommend ... two
standard drinks a day.”Prescription
drugs
Heard that an aspirin a
day can help prevent
heart disease? “That’s
only recommended for
people with existing
heart disease,” says
Simonis. “Avoid it unless
your GP suggests it.”Sex
“Lots of sex can result
in cystitis or labial
swelling,” says Simonis.
“Drinking lots of water
and passing urine after
sex reduces the
likelihood of bladder
infections. Use
lubrication to avoid
swelling/tearing.”Cof ee
“High caf eine
consumption has been
linked to miscarriage
and di culty falling
pregnant,” says
Simonis. >body love
COSMOPOLITAN March 2016 143