Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with an estimated 666,000 new cases diagnosed in 2022. The good news is that it is treatable, if diagnosed early.
CategoriesDisease PreventionDisease Prevention
Raising awareness about chronic disease in our rural communities. Understand what diseases may be more common among rural and remote people, and how we can prevent illnesses from developing. Many articles are written by our wonderful rural doctors. They highlight important information about how to stay healthy and well.
CategoriesDisease Prevention
CategoriesDisease Prevention WellbeingEarly breast cancer diagnosis can save your life.
With over 20,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer every year, learning the signs and symptoms is very important.
Sadly, people with cancer who live rurally and remotely have a poorer chance of survival than people in cities. This is why early detection is so important – it can significantly improve your chances of survival.
CategoriesDisease PreventionStanding tall: spinal health in the bush
Here we chat with Dr Cameron Downes, an orthopaedic spinal surgeon from Far North Queensland, to get his take on spinal health and what people living in rural areas can do to keep their backs strong.
CategoriesDisease PreventionDrinking in rural Australia: challenges, culture and seeking help
Risky alcohol consumption increases the further you get from a city, with statistics at their highest in remote and very remote areas. We explore this trend further and look at the challenges, culture and how to get help.
CategoriesAgeing Disease PreventionDementia in rural Australia
Rural Australians are three to five times more likely to develop dementia. Here we explore the challenge for those in rural communities, the early warning signs of dementia and why mental exercise could help lower your risk.
CategoriesDisease PreventionRural Australians are 17% more likely to experience a stroke
Do you know the signs and symptoms of a stroke? One in every four people around the world will experience a stroke in their lifetime – awareness and education is key.
CategoriesDisease PreventionGestational diabetes in rural Australia – challenges, screening and treatment
Between five and ten per cent of women develop gestational diabetes, with research showing that it is slightly more common in remote areas of Australia.
CategoriesDisease Prevention33,000 Australians live with Multiple Sclerosis – learn the symptoms
The diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is slightly more difficult in remote areas of Australia. Here we look at everything you need to know to understand this condition that affects 33,000 Australians and the unique challenges for those living in rural and remote communities.
CategoriesDisease Prevention Wellbeing80% of people with coeliac disease don’t know they have it – are you one of them?
Approximately 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease however 80% remain undiagnosed. Most Australians with coeliac disease don’t know it. Improved awareness of the condition has resulted in higher diagnosis rates in the past few years, however, there has also been an increase in the incidence of coeliac disease.
Rural Doctors Foundation recommend that if you have a close relative with coeliac disease, ask your local rural doctor for a blood test to screen for coeliac disease.
CategoriesDisease PreventionLiving with asthma
Asthma affects 11 per cent of Australians, but personal trainer Mandy Willis had no inkling she would be one of them. Rural Doctors Foundation spoke with the woman from the south-east Queensland farming town of Beaudesert to share her story of what it is like to live with asthma.
