Health Report - ABC RN

Dr Google could be making your health anxiety worse

What used to be called hypochondria is now health anxiety — an excessive worry about developing a serious illness.  While experiences of health anxiety vary, for some people it can take over their lives and even lead to physical symptoms.  Also, a …

Early dementia signs from the body not the brain

Listening to influencers could give you an incidentaloma

On social media, an influencer's job is to influence you — to get you to strive for a particular lifestyle or buy a specific product.  In some cases they're pushing medical tests, telling people to take charge of their health with full body MRI scan…

Why some women are in the dark about breast density

Victoria is starting to notify women when they have dense breasts on their mammogram, following Western Australia and South Australia.  So what does this information mean? And what should you be doing with it? Also, the concerning state of health p…

Bowel cancer is happening younger — so why aren't people getting screened?

Australia has been highlighted in an international report on the rising incidence of bowel cancer in young people.  Our screening age was dropped last year to 45, however the overall uptake of bowel cancer screening remains at about 40 per cent.  A…

As bird flu mutates, are eggs still safe to eat?

There's a shortage of eggs in Australia, and it might not let up as we brace for the arrival of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.  That strain has shown is can make the jump into humans. But how does it manage? Also, menopause hormone therapy is in high…

How an online coach can keep your brain young

There are some things you can do to guard against cognitive decline, and a study has found a hands-on approach is best.  Also, rates of vaccination in pregnancy are falling in New South Wales.  Should Australia follow Italy's lead and screen everyo…

A Stroke of Luck: Kylie's story

Kylie and Gillian had been friends for years when Kylie had a stroke in her early 30s.  It turned Kylie's work-driven life upside down, and forced her and husband Chris to re-evaluate everything. 

A Stroke of Luck: Gillian's story

When Gillian suffered a stroke at age 50, Kylie was one of the first friends she reached out to.  It wasn't Gillian's first life-altering medical emergency, having gone through cancer treatment years earlier. 

A Stroke of Luck: Downs and ups of recovery

Despite their strokes being 20 years apart, Kylie and Gillian were left with similar disabilities.  Both faced a long and often gruelling period of rehabilitation — thankfully with partners and friends by their sides.