Women's Health Week 2024

Women's Health Week Campaign Image

 

Women’s Health Week is an event dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all women, girls and gender-diverse people.

 

This event allows over 200,000 people to gather every year and share vital, up-to-date health information. It is a great reminder for women to make sure they are looking after themselves.

Women’s Health Week 2024 will be running from 2-6 September. This year, the theme is Your Voice, Your Choice which will focus on some of the biggest issues in women’s health now. Each day of the event is dedicated to exploring different aspects of women’s health.

• Monday: know your body is all about getting to know what is normal for you through regular health checks.
• Tuesday: courageous conversations provides tips and tools for talking to doctors about menopause, hormones or heavy periods.
• Wednesday: shame and stigma is about tackling taboos and sharing women’s stories about some common health issues.
• Thursday: point of difference focuses on how some health conditions effect women differently, such as heart health, pelvic pain and migraines.
• Friday: trust your gut looks at making healthy eating easier and how to have a healthier relationship with food.

You can find more information about Women’s Health Week by visiting the Jean Hailes website. You can also sign up here to receive updates and links that will assist you in achieving good health.

In keeping with the Your Voice, Your Choice theme, we asked the CFA Women’s Advisory Committee about some of the key health issues that female CFA members may face, and the following key topics stood out.

Menstrual health

Access to and availability of appropriate bins* for the disposal of sanitary products is important for menstrual health by encouraging regular changing of menstrual hygiene products to avoid illness or infection.

One member of the Women’s Advisory Committee mentioned placement of such bins in fire stations. “Placing dedicated containers in toilet facilities provides a basic need for women's health. I also installed a small sanitary supply box in one of the toilets, which saves embarrassment and is easily maintained.”

Ongoing discussions around managing the changing of menstrual hygiene products like pads and tampons while on the fireground are important for the health of CFA members.

*CFA has previously provided information to members on bins for disposal of sanitary items and this can be found here.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is not a medical condition and should not prevent an individual from participating in the workforce, whether voluntary or paid. However, what is ‘safe’ when it comes to pregnancy, breastfeeding and firefighting is still unclear. CFA Health Services have developed a Pregnancy and Postpartum Information Sheet available on Members Online, which may help you to understand some of the risks associated with the continuation of firefighting while pregnant. Individuals can make more informed decisions about their health and that of their unborn babies, in conjunction with advice from their own medical treater as required.

It is important to note that everyone’s experience of pregnancy will be different, and some comorbidities may be present, therefore professional medical advice is required to determine safety to perform CFA roles throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Preventing violence against women

Domestic and family violence can affect anyone, including those around them. Many have experienced or know someone who has experienced family and domestic violence. Domestic and family violence and abuse can take on many forms, not just physical. It can be any behaviour that is violent, threatening, controlling or intended to make you or your family feel scared and unsafe including stalking, financial abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, coercive control and physical violence. Exposure to violence of this sort can significantly impact both physical and mental health.

There are many services available to support women and children experiencing domestic violence.

• Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 access to counselling and support (website: https://www.1800respect.org.au/)
• Children under 18 can call the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
• Anyone can call Lifeline at any time on 13 11 14

Support is also available through CFA’s Wellbeing Support line by calling 1800 959 232 and choosing Option 1 for access to counselling and support or advising on how you can support others experiencing domestic and family violence.

Female-specific cancers

Common cancers that are specific to women include breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women in Australia, and second most common cancer to cause death within women. Screening and early detection of breast cancer is important, and free mammograms are available to women aged between 50 and 74 every two years. Women aged from 40 are also eligible for free mammograms upon request. The Cancer Council recommends that women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer discuss screening with their GP or contact BreastScreen Australia on 13 20 50.

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour in one or both ovaries. Causes of ovarian cancer can include age, family history, genetics, early onset of periods (before 12 years of age), women who have not had children or had their first child after that age of 35, using oestrogen only hormone replacement therapy or fertility treatment. Some factors that can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer include using the oral contraceptive pill for several years, having fallopian tubes tied or removed, having children before the age of 35 and breastfeeding. There is currently no national screening program for ovarian cancer, but symptoms may include abdominal bloating, feeling full quickly, frequent urgent urination, pelvic pain, constipation or diarrhoea, menstrual irregularities tiredness, unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix. The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased since the National Cervical Screening Program (commonly known as Pap smear tests) began in 1991 and a national Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine program was introduced in 2007. The Pap Smear Test has recently changed to the new Cervical Screening Test, which women can now do themselves in the comfort of their own homes.

All of these cancers are covered under the Presumptive Rights Compensation Scheme, which has been specifically designed for firefighters who contract specified types of cancer due to their firefighting service. The scheme is open to both career firefighters and volunteer firefighters in Victoria. For more information, visit the Presumptive Rights Compensation/Cancer Claims page on the CFA website.

 

Submitted by	Georgia Thacker