Australian Pathology

Haemochromatosis is an inherited iron overload condition, and is the most common genetic disorder in Australia. 1 in 200 Australians of northern European origin have the genetic risk for haemochromatosis.
It causes the body to absorb too much iron which is stored in the organs and joints, increasing gradually over the years.
If untreated, the liver can become damaged, leading to serious diseases such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

When detected early it can be managed easily and there is no barrier to a normal life or life expectancy.

Symptoms can include:
🩸 fatigue and weakness
🩸 weight loss
🩸 abdominal pain
🩸 joint aches.

Diagnosis: Haemochromatosis is diagnosed by simple blood tests.
Your doctor may order the tests if your symptoms indicate haemochromatosis or if a close relative has been diagnosed with the condition.
Parents, brothers, sisters and children of people diagnosed with haemochromatosis should be tested.
For more information visit https://haemochromatosis.org.au/

Today is World Blood Donor Day to celebrate the over half a million Australians who make a difference through their generous life-saving blood donations.
Take the quiz and see if you are you eligible to donate
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility/start-quiz

This week's word is microscopic, which means visible only with a microscope and not with the naked eye.

Undiagnosed Q fever is putting Australians at risk of serious health complications.
Q Fever is an infection caused by a type of bacteria usually caught from animals, especially farm animals, but it can also be found in cats, dogs and kangaroos.

Recent research shows that only about 10% of acute Q Fever cases are currently being identified, putting Australians at risk of chronic health conditions.

People who work with animals are at the highest risk of breathing in the infected air particles.

The symptoms are similar to the ‘flu but complications can develop such as long lasting fatigue, chronic Q Fever and serious problems such as damage to heart of other organs.

Q fever is commonly treated with antibiotics. If you have a mild infection you’re likely to recover quickly. If you have chronic Q fever, you may need to take antibiotics for up to 18 months.

Vaccination is recommended for people at high risk, including people who work with animals. Skin tests and blood tests are required before vaccination to check for exposure to Q fever in the past. If you’ve recovered from Q fever, you may have lifelong immunity to re-infection.

This week's word is Lichenoid - a particular linear arrangement of inflammatory cells under the surface of the skin.

There has been a marked uptick in reproductive carrier screening for Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Fragile X Syndrome since it became covered by Medicare in Nov 2023.

However, most testing is happening after pregnancy begins, limiting options.
Dr Tristan Hardy, speaking at the recent RCPA Pathology Update, called for more awareness of testing before pregnancy.

“Early testing enables individuals to explore various options, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with pre-implantation genetic testing, to reduce the risk of passing these conditions to their children,” said Dr Hardy.

About 1 in 20 people are carriers of one or more of these conditions, however, most are usually unaware.

Couples planning a pregnancy are encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers about reproductive carrier screening to make informed decisions before they become pregnant.

Thyroid Disorders affect all Australians of all age groups and demographics.
• 1 in 10 Australians will be affected by some form of thyroid disorder
• 7 of the 10 are women
• Over 1 million Australians are undiagnosed
• 60,000 Australians are diagnosed each year
• Thyroid Cancer is increasing, and impacting younger Australians
• Testing for iodine deficiency and thyroid disorders are especially important for women pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Diagnosis of a thyroid disorder depends on thyroid function pathology testing.
Be thyroid aware. Get tested.

"An iodine enriched diet will protect you and your family's thyroid health." - The Australian Thyroid Foundation.
Some healthy choices that are rich in iodine include:
Iodised salt
Egg
Dairy
Tuna
Seaweed
Cod
Shrimp
Prunes
Lima beans
If you notice any symptoms, or you have a family history of thyroid disease or ANY autoimmune disease, then it's important to visit your GP for health check up.
Thyroid disease can be confirmed via a range of simple pathology tests. For more information about these tests visit, www.thyroidfoundation.org.au.
Don't delay. Act now and get tested.

This week's word is keratosis: A benign growth of cells on the skin surface that cause dry, rough patches and tiny bumps, often on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks.

May is traditionally the official start of the flu season. Australians are encouraged to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations, particularly against influenza (flu).
While it’s too early to know for sure how bad our 2024 flu season will be, it’s off to an early start with more than 37,700 laboratory-confirmed cases across Australia this year. That's up 40 per cent over the same period last year.
The flu can be a mild illness, but it can cause serious illness in otherwise healthy people and is a significant risk for more vulnerable members of the community.
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing serious illness from the flu.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from April onwards for protection during the peak season from June to September in most parts of Australia..
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free influenza vaccines to people most at risk of complications from influenza.
• Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• First Nations people aged 6 months and over
• People aged 65 years and over.
• People aged 6 months who are medically at risk.

“At the moment, the pathologists and the pathology laboratories are getting squeezed. And so we need that investment. We’re the only part of the Medicare schedule that is not indexed, and has not had an increase for 24 years.”

Australian Pathology CEO, Liesel Wett recently sat down with TuneFM to discuss the need for Australian Government funding to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed.

Since 1999, pathology providers have been filling the funding gap to keep services running as costs increase. Without fair funding increases, pathology providers will be forced to make some very difficult decisions.

We need your help to keep everyday pathology tests - like blood tests - bulk billed.

We ask for your support to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed. Visit the website to tell your MP that this year’s Federal Budget needs to increase pathology funding. https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au

Australian Pathology Calls For Increased Funding to Sector | TuneFM Australian Pathology Calls For Increased Funding to Sector

There is only one week until the Federal Budget. The Australian Government cannot ignore the 40,000 emails from Australians who are concerned about pathology funding.

Thank you to those who have already stepped up to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed.

But we can't stop now. Keep Pathology Bulk Billed will work until Budget night and beyond to ensure that vital services, like blood tests, are funded fairly.

If you haven't shared the website with your family and friends, please do so now. https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/

Listen to Australian Pathology Pathologist Dr Shaun Donovan, chatting with Australian Medical Association President Steve Robson this week on Doctorama about the essential role pathology plays in diagnosing disease.

We need your help to keep everyday pathology tests - like blood tests - bulk billed. Tell politicians to increase funding for bulk billed pathology in this year’s Federal Budget.

Visit https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/ and complete the online form.

Episode 21 - Dr Shaun Donovan by @Steve Robson In episode 21 of Doctorama AMA President Professor Steve Robson chats with Dr Shaun Donovan.

It's heart health week and the perfect time to check if you are up to date with your heart health checks!
Don't delay. Act now and get tested.

Over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. If you notice any symptoms, or you have a family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease, then it's important to visit your GP for health check up.
Thyroid disease can be confirmed via a range of simple pathology tests.
Don't delay. Act now and get tested.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in six males will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.
Don't delay. Act now and get tested.

Government funding for pathology has been frozen for 24 years, risking Australia's world class bulk billed pathology service.
Visit the website now and let your MP know pathology funding needs to be increased in this month's Federal Budget.
Keep pathology bulk billed. Don’t create a gap.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/?utm_content=sked_66217486fa20e0144ff5fc12&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

Government funding for pathology has been frozen for 24 years.
Visit the website now and let your MP know pathology funding needs to be increased in this month's Federal Budget.
Keep pathology bulk billed. Don’t create a gap.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au?utm_content=sked_6621752bfa20e0144ff5ff55&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook