Special Interests Archives - Page 86 of 118

Women In Central West Unaware Of Breast Cancer Risk

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

This year more than 245 women in the Western and Far Western Local Health Districts will be diagnosed with breast cancer,

while about 42 women will die from breast cancer.

WNSWLHD Breastscreen Manager, Meg O’Brien, said far too many women might be unaware of their risk of breast cancer, despite the fact that 9 in 10 women diagnosed don’t have a family history.

“The risk is real for every woman aged 50 to 74. One in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and less than 10 per cent of them will have a family history,” Meg said.

“That’s why all women in this age group should screen for breast cancer, regardless of whether they have a family history.”

“By detecting breast cancer early, breast screening not only saves lives but also reduces the likelihood of a woman needing invasive treatment, such as a mastectomy or chemotherapy.”

According to Meg more than 16,000 women in the Western and Far Western Local Health Districts get a free, state-of-the-art mammogram through BreastScreen NSW each year.

“The more having a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW becomes part of your normal two-yearly health routine, the easier it is to keep going. The key is to get the momentum started,” Meg said.

“When it comes to reducing breast cancer risk, it is also vital to focus on lifestyle factors within a woman’s control.”

“While a family history can’t be changed, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking are all things that can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” she said.

In addition to 46 BreastScreen sites, BreastScreen NSW has 16 mobile vans that provide services to about 180 locations across NSW, including in rural and remote areas.

The mobile BreastScreen van is currently in Forbes until 21st August. Make use of this free services and make an appointment today.

To book a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW, phone 13 20 50, or book online by visiting breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

Q Fever Risk

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is warning people to get vaccinated and take other steps to guard against Q fever, as drought and high winds may increase the risk of the disease spreading. WNSWLHD Health Protection Manager, Priscilla Stanley, said so far this year there have been 47 confirmed cases of Q fever in the WNSWLHD area. In 2018, there were 41 confirmed cases of the disease in the area.
“Q fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by inhaling dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions that does not just affect farmers or people who deal with livestock,” Priscilla said.

Nine-year-old Seth Whiteman, from a property near Yeoval contracted Q fever in May this year. Seth’s Mum, Brooke Ryan, said, “Seth had been helping on the farm, which included being exposed to animal fluids. Some of the other kids were sick too, but Seth wasn’t getting better. He had high temperatures, but was shivering and freezing cold to touch”.

“A single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high risk occupations and anyone over 15 years who has the potential to be exposed to Q fever,” added Priscilla.

The following steps can protect against Q fever:

• washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy water after any contact with animals

• wearing a properly fitting mask when handling or disposing of animal products

• wearing protective clothing and thick gloves when working with high risk animals

• removing and washing dirty clothing, coveralls, boots and equipment in outdoor wash areas to prevent exposing other household residents

• washing animal urine, faeces, blood and other body fluids from equipment and surfaces.

Health Bones

July 25, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Did you know that over 2 million Australians are affected by osteoporosis. Flannery’s Pharmacy is hosting a Health Bones clinic to assess risk factors and measure bone density using a Qualitative Heel Ultrasound.

Sarah Hazell, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy advises that some people are more at risk of osteoporosis. “There are a number of risk factors including smoking, drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day, lack of exercise, menopause and having a diet lacking in calcium” said Sarah.

“The clinic will provide an assessment of personal risk factors affecting bone health and measurement of bone density” said Sarah. Customers will receive a personalised consultation summary and information brochure. Please note that the bone density test requires a bare heel. Pantyhose or stockings should not be worn.

The Healthy Bones clinic is being held on Tuesday 13 August at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

Cost is $25. Bookings are essential so please call Flannery’s Pharmacy on 68521111 or call in to arrange an appointment.

RDA Central West Welcomes New CEO

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Regional Development Australia in Central West New South Wales has welcomed a new voice with the appointment of Sam Harma as its new CEO. Mr Harma has been working at a senior level of executive government in both Canberra and Sydney for the last decade, working for Cabinet Ministers in both State and Federal Government. Mr Harma brings strong policy experience in regional development, job creation and economic development.

RDA Central West Chair, Ms Christine Weston welcomed the recent appointment and said this was an exciting change for the local RDA team. “RDA Central West is advocating for the nearly 200,000 people who call the 11 local government areas of the Central West home, and Sam will be a fierce advocate on their behalf,” said Ms Weston.

“The Central West is a showcase of successful regional development, but there is always more to do. I can’t wait to build partnerships,
fight for projects and drive job opportunities across the region,” said Mr Harma.

“The Central West is a diverse region with farming, mining, tourism and the health sector all major employers. From Orange to Oberon and Cowra to Condobolin the future is bright, and our role at RDA is to drive greater opportunities,” said Mr Harma.

Regional Development Australia Central West is a regional certifying body for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) and working in partnership with the NSW Department of Industry to deliver the NSW Skilled Regional nominated visa (subclass 489) in the Central West region.

The RDA Central West has also been a driving force behind the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program (SISP) which has been made available to 20 schools across the region. RDA Central West has also launched a ‘Farm to Organisation’ project a first of its kind in Australia.

Increase Feed Quantity In Cold And Wet Conditions

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Although it was nice to see a bit of rain around this week, wet conditions coupled with cold conditions can cause issues for stock.

In cold and wet conditions, stock will use energy to keep warm. In drought conditions, where stock may have experienced under nutrition, they do not have the fat reserves to handle the increased energy requirements.

Pregnant stock are particularly at risk. Pregnancy Toxaemia is caused by low levels of glucose in the blood which adversely affects brain and nervous system function. It most commonly occurs in ewes and cows during the last month of pregnancy, when there is a high demand for glucose (energy) from the rapidly growing foetuses.

In cold conditions it is advisable to increase feed by 20%. For example, a twin bearing ewe should be receiving 1.6kg of cereal grain per day (in combination with a roughage source) to meet its nutritional requirements in late pregnancy. It is difficult to get them to physically eat more grain while heavily pregnant, especially without inducing grain poisoning. The simplest and most effective way to increase their energy intake is to put more good quality hay out into the paddocks during the wet and cold weather.

Hay is also good to feed to cattle in cold weather as the rumination of fibrous, bulky feed produces heat as a by-product that helps to keep the animal warm. However, it is worth remembering that some hay is very poor quality, meaning it is high in fibre but low in energy and protein which are the most important factors when supplementary feeding stock.

By Dr Jillian Kelly, District Veterinarian, Central West Local Land Services

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The market started the new season with a much-welcomed turn-around. With only 30,994 bales offered, it was the smallest start to the selling season in AWEX history (since ’95).

Although the NRI recorded a small 2 cent loss on the first day of selling, the overall tone of the market was positive, with the market showing strong signs of improvement as the day progressed. The rises experienced late on day one, were quickly realised on day two with the NRI gaining 9 cents, to close at 1738. The individual MPG’s across the three regions, generally rose by 10-40 cents for the week.

Although the increase in the NRI was small, the importance of the rise was large, as the long run of losses was finally brought to a halt. Next week is the last sale before the three-week mid-year recess. Currently, there are 34,831 bales rostered for sale next week.

Source: AWEX

For Auction – The Gooloogong Handymart

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

It’s Cold Outside, So It’s A Great Time To QUIT!

June 27, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

It’s hard, but with help and support, you can quit smoking. Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, things a person can do. Most smokers say they want to quit, and may have tried at least once.

Some are successful the first time, but others try numerous times before they finally quit for good. It might take time, as your body has become dependent on nicotine, but many people have succeeded in giving up smoking. The benefits of quitting are felt almost straight away. Depending on how much you smoked, you should start seeing benefits in a week.

The first month
• In 12 hours excess carbon monoxide is out of your blood
• In 5 days most nicotine is out of your body
• In 1 week your sense of taste and smell improves
• In 1 month your skin appearance is likely to improve

The first year
• In 2 months your lungs will no longer be producing extra phlegm caused by smoking
• In 3 months your lung function and blood flow improves
• In 12 months your risk of heart disease has halved

Longer term benefits
• In 5 years your risk of a stroke has dramatically decreased
• In 10 years your risk of lung cancer is less than half that of a continuing smoker and continues falling
• In 15 years your risk of heart attack and stroke is almost the same as a person who has never smoked.

If you’d like to quit smoking for good, call into Flannery’s Pharmacy and talk to one of our pharmacists. They can give you information, advice and support to help you quit for good.

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

June 13, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

21,787 bales were on offer this week, the lowest weekly quantity in 12 months. The small offering may have had a negative impact, as some exporters may not have been confident about being able to fill orders. The limited number of good style wools with favourable additional measurements were highly sought after, these wools recorded minimal change for the series. Lesser style lots and those carrying poor additional measurements lost 30- 50 cents, pushing the MPGs down by 20-40 cents.

The NRI lost 26 cents, closing the week at 1,883. The crossbred sector also tracked downward but not as steeply as the merinos, prices generally fell by 5-10 cents. 30.0 micron however managed a small increase for the week, the only quoted MPG to record positive movement for the series.

The cardings also lost further ground this week and are now 571 cents, from the record high set in September last year.

Next week will see 29,989 bales put before the trade, with Fremantle back-in after a week’s recess.

Source: AWEX

Dry Season Makes For Tough Times

June 13, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Tough is the word Lake Cargelligo grain grower Andrew McFadyen is using to describe the current seasonal conditions across much of New South Wales’ grain growing regions. He said reasonable rain was needed in the next three to four weeks to give winter crops a fighting chance after a dry summer and autumn.

“Grain growers are a resilient group, but the current situation is testing everyone in the agricultural sector, including regional communities,” Mr McFadyen said.

“In seasons like this, it is really important to remember we are all in this together and it’s always rained. It will turn around this time too.”

“In the Lake Cargelligo region, the past 18 months have been incredibly dry, and we are now at a point where we need rain in the next three to four weeks to give winter crops a chance, or in some cases to get winter crops in the ground.”

At Forbes, GRDC Northern Panel member Tony Hamilton said the season had been “very patchy” with reduced canola plantings, very little chickpea planted and some irrigation water available to carry over. “Irrigators are definitely disillusioned. But the planting decision window could extend from mid-June to July if the price outlook is good and we get some rain,” Mr Hamilton said.

At Wyalong, grower and GRDC Northern Panel member Roger Bolte said it was a similar situation despite 70mm in late March giving growers hope for a great autumn start to the season.

“We had another 50mm in early May and that helped set up some growers across this area, but the conditions vary significantly through this region,” he said.

“Wheat and barley are the main crops this season at the expense of canola and legumes. Canola could be back as much as 90% this year across this district. A small area of chickpeas and lupins will really round out what’s in the ground here.”

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