News
Choice, empowerment, and commitment: Women’s health
To mark Women’s Health Week, RACGP staff attended a webinar covering three topical issues in the area of women’s health.
On 8 September, RACGP President Adjunct Professor Karen Price welcomed college staff to the online event.
‘I am proud to be a Women’s Health Week ambassador in partnership with Jean Hailes,’ Professor Price said.
‘This week is all about women and Dr Jean Hailes’ vision for women’s health: “If a woman is in good health, her family, the community and society around her will also benefit”.’
Speaking candidly about her personal connection with breast health, Professor Price outlined the importance of women taking time to look after their physical and mental health, and to connect with their GP to help support this.
She then introduced women’s health advocate and RACGP Specific Interests Chair, Dr Lara Roeske, who presented on the three focus topics.
Cervical self-collection
Dr Roeske began by discussing cervical cancer statistics and screening participation rates.
‘Cervical cancer remains a significant disease worldwide in terms of death and morbidity,’ she said.
‘Based on the World Health Organization’s global strategy, I am pleased to announce that Australia will be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer – and this will occur sometime between 2028 and 2035.’
However, Dr Roeske highlighted that elimination is not eradication, hence the importance of GPs in encouraging women to have regular health checks.
The 1 July expansion of self-collection for cervical cancer screening is a big part of this, enabling everyone who participates in cervical screening to now be offered the choice of self-collection.
Dr Roeske made a point of assuring attendees that current studies looking at the acceptability of self-collection for Australian women ‘convincingly’ demonstrate that it is a ‘highly acceptable’ option, particularly for those who are under screened.
‘Many women have felt that they are now in control, that it accords them dignity and privacy and respect, and a sense of control over their own bodies,’ she said.
‘Some, however, are a bit worried about the fact that it might not be as accurate or as effective a screening test – and I am going to completely dispel that myth and provide you with the correct facts.’
Dr Roeske then detailed the efficacy of the screening process, who is eligible, and gave a detailed and practical demonstration using a swab, on how to self-collect.
‘The test is safe, simple, reliable and painless, and can be taken in the clinical setting, or at home via telehealth, as long as it is returned to your GP within 28 days,’ she explained.
‘GPs can support you to make the choice on what is the best option for you.
‘Interaction with GPs show they are extraordinary in implementing uptake of self-collection.
‘And we [the RACGP] are encouraging GPs to make this a positive experience for women and people with a cervix.’
RACGP President Adjunct Professor Karen Price is a Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week ambassador.
Breast health
Beginning again with statistics on breast cancer prevalence and screening rates in Australia, Dr Roeske spoke about the importance of prevention, risk factors and early detection.
‘Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among Australian women … [but] nine out of 10 changes will be completely harmless and not all will be linked with breast cancer,’ she said.
‘The strong advice is that if you find a change, you should see your GP as soon as possible to take you through the next steps in assessing that change.
‘The good news is there has been extraordinary advances in the treatment of breast cancer, so we have far more women surviving a breast cancer diagnosis and living really high-quality lives.’
Citing the BreastScreen Australia program which offers women aged between 50–74 a free mammogram every two years, Dr Roeske said general practice has a vital role both in teaching women to do a breast self-check, but also being an ongoing support for if a change is found.
‘So with the help of your GP, how can we empower you around your breast health?’ Dr Roeske asked.
‘A really important part of looking after your body is performing a breast self-examination. And the principle is consistency … and a commitment to getting to know how your breasts feel and look.’
With assistance from Professor Price, Dr Roeske gave a practical demonstration on performing a breast self-examination, including detailed illustrations, while answering attendee questions along the way.
‘I know that for many women being able to do a self-examination brings great comfort, and for many GPs, it may often pave the way for early detection and appropriate management,’ Dr Roeske concluded.
‘So please do talk to your GP about breast self-exams.’
Social determinants of women’s health
Noting the non-clinical but ‘pertinent’ topics of housing and finances and the impact on women’s health, Dr Roeske cited The feminine mistake, a publication by US author Leslie Bennetts.
‘Here are some shocking, sobering statistics for us,’ Dr Roeske said.
‘The number of Australian women accessing homelessness services have increased by 63% in the last few years, and notably since the pandemic, the most likely family type to live in poverty in Australia are single mothers and their children.
‘The fastest growing social group facing homelessness are women over 55.’
Going into further detail about inequalities women continue to face, particularly in light of the pandemic and the impact on mothers, Dr Roeske also briefly explored the issues of sexual and family violence, body image and gender pay gaps.
‘We know that women, as a result of being a carer, when they do leave paid work to be at home, the end result of that can be limited personal savings, superannuation, and housing affordability,’ she said.
‘When they are ready to come back to work, they may face discrimination, both ageism and sexism, and for many of them, they have fewer job options so they haven’t been able to develop or commit to their careers.
‘They may need to take lower paying jobs or casual roles with less entitlements overall to benefits them.’
The ‘feminine mistake’ sits around making critical decisions about care and choices without fully understanding the long-term consequences, she said, and ‘giving up our economic independence’.
Supporting one another and maintaining strong peer connections are key, according to Dr Roeske, who made parallels with her own experiences as a female in the workforce.
‘The RACGP and its Women in General Practice group have been instrumental in providing me with examples of supporting women in the workforce, and this social connection among each other where we are able to provide ourselves with practical tips and solutions, egging each other on through tough times,’ she said.
‘To keep [women] working and in earning capacity has been invaluable to me professionally, and the benefits of having choice and sustaining and satisfying roles professionally.’
The session concluded with an open Q&A discussion in which Dr Roeske and Professor Price answered various question from attendees about women’s health.
Log in below to join the conversation.
breast cancer cervical cancer female inequalities self-collection Women’s Health Week
newsGP weekly poll
How often do you feel pressure from patients to prescribe antibiotics that are not clinically necessary?