10 Have you done your free bowel test? Australian residents aged between 45-74 are invited to screen for bowel cancer through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The bowel screening tests are completed at home in private and returned in the mail. Why is it important to do the test? Bowel Cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia, and the second highest cause of cancer death. Around 400 Gold Coast residents are diagnosed each year. Most bowel cancers develop without symptoms in the early stages. Bowel cancers found through routine screening are usually less advanced than those diagnosed at a later stage, often after symptoms appear. When detected early almost all bowel cancers are treatable. How does the test work? The bowel screening test looks for tiny amounts of blood in poo, which may be a sign of changes in the bowel. If blood is found in either of the two test samples, the next step is usually a diagnostic test, such as a colonoscopy, to check the bowel for any abnormalities. Most people who have blood detected in their samples will not have bowel cancer, but many will have small growths in their bowel called polyps. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy they are usually removed, which stops them from potentially turning into a cancer at a later stage. Are the tests suitable for everyone? Bowel screening tests are intended for healthy people who have no obvious bowel symptoms (such as blood in your poo, persistent changes in bowel habits, weight loss you can’t explain, extreme tiredness for no reason, or abdominal pain or lumps). Anyone with bowel symptoms should discuss them with their doctor as soon as possible and not wait for a screening test. How do I get a bowel screening test? The free test kits are automatically sent in the mail to eligible people aged 50-74, and people aged 45-49 can join the program by requesting their first test kit. Kits will be mailed to the address registered with Medicare or DVA, so it’s important to keep this up to date. If your test kit has expired, was thrown away or never arrived, a free replacement test can be requested online at ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or by phoning 1800 627 701. GOLD COAST FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Putting the Family Story Together It can take a while but once you’re at a stage where your research is ready to be put together think about how to translate all the facts. Specific genealogical software or good organisation of paper copy will do a lot of the work but for others to enjoy and want to read your results, take the time to turn notes and facts into an easy read. Keeping birth, death, marriage and other life milestones, as lists, add your story next, to help lead the reader through the stages of a person/ families life. Consider: • Chronological order • Generational skills or traits. Describe the period for scholars, tradesmen, farmers, labourers, convicts, criminals, clergy • Were life aspirations realised. How? Why? • Describe family secret or suspicion • Religious or cultural differences. Consequences? Changes? • The personal impact from war • Traditions, locations and languages spoken in your family • Generational financial and educational circumstances • Medicinal or healing remedies or rituals from another age or culture • Extended family relationship • Generational mental health impact • Was music, art, imagination, and creativity encouraged or suppressed? Why? • Have hobbies been passed down • Was sports or competition traditional • The story or mystery of photographs or objects passed down for generations • What was the role of humour in your family. For help with producing your family tree, you may like to join the Gold Coast Family History Society. For a modest yearly fee, you will have access to a comprehensive library, many worldwide subscription websites, and fellow researchers prepared to help you get started or break down any brick walls you may encounter. For further information visit http://www.goldcoastfhs.org. au or attend our rooms at the Bicentennial Building, 833 Nerang-Southport Road, Nerang.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjM5MTE=