In Balance NT - Meghan Williams

26/10/2025

16/10/2025

Be a friend, Tell a friend, Why breast screening matters
Encourage the women in your life to have a free breast screen with BreastScreen NT.
Small gestures can make a big difference in helping women get screened and it may just save their life.
Some ways you can support the women you care about to have their breast screen:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early. A breast screen (also known as a mammogram) can find cancer before you notice a symptom. When breast cancer is caught early, there are more treatment options available, and there is a greater chance of survival. The reality is that the two biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer are simply being born female and getting older—9 out of 10 women diagnosed have no family history of the disease.

14/10/2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!
To check your breasts, get familiar with their normal look and feel by visually inspecting them in a mirror for changes in shape or size, and then feel them using a systematic pattern with your fingertips. When feeling, use light, medium, and firm pressure to check the entire breast area, from the collarbone to the abdomen and under your arms, looking for any lumps, thickening, or other changes. It's helpful to check regularly, such as in the shower or while lying down, and to see a doctor for any changes you notice.

In front of a mirror
Stand with your arms relaxed at your sides and look for changes in shape, size, and skin appearance.
Raise your arms overhead and repeat the visual inspection. This can help reveal changes that might not be as obvious when your arms are down.
Place your hands on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles, again looking for any changes.

While lying down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head.
Use the pads of your left hand to feel your right breast with light, medium, and firm pressure. Move in small circular motions, covering the entire breast and armpit area.
Gently squeeze the ni**le to check for discharge.
Repeat these steps for your left breast.

In the shower or bath
Use your right hand to feel your left breast, and vice versa.
With a lathered hand, use the pads of your fingers to feel your entire breast, moving in a systematic pattern like circles or up and down, from the collarbone to underneath the breast and into the armpit.

What to look for and feel for
Any new lumps or thickening.
Changes in the size, shape, or skin appearance of the breast or ni**le.
A ni**le that has changed position or is inverted.
Redness, swelling, rash, or puckering of the skin.
Any unusual pain or unusual discharge from the ni**le.

What to do next
Get to know your breasts so you can recognize what is normal for you.
If you find any new lump or notice any other changes, see a doctor to get it evaluated as soon as possible.
Regular mammograms and clinical exams are also important parts of breast cancer screening.

12/10/2025

ARE YOU UP-TO-DATE with your breast health?
MONTHLY - self-breast checks.
GP - breast checks
BIENNIEL - Screening
mammogram - FREE in Australia from your 40th birthday.
BREASTSCREEN 13 20 50

12/10/2025

10/10/2025

Hi everyone, Shaz, a PhD student researching the psychological impact of a lipoedema diagnosis in Australian women. She created a 60-second animation about my research, which won the Visualise Your Thesis final (and People's Choice Award) for Swinburne Uni. She is now a finalist in the Visualise Your Thesis International Showcase being held this month.

From 8-15 October, the animation with the most views will win the Trending on VYT award. Please watch (and share the link if you like)! This is just another way we can raise the profile of lipoedema in the general community!

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30134602.v1

Thanks,on behslf of
Shaz x

Finalist - Visualise Your Thesis 2025 International Competition

20/08/2025

A powerful Description of being autistic by Ava

12-year-old secondary school student Ava won a national poetry competition with her entry about living with autism

You can read her winning ‘Power of Poetry’ entry below:

“Take a seat and sit with me

I want to talk about ASD

If you don't mind I'd like to explain

A little thing called autism and how it affects my brain

It can make me anxious, angry and afraid

But this stays in my head, on my face it's not displayed

I may seem heartless and question your meanings

But it takes me a little longer to process the feelings

Take a seat and sit with me I want to show you ASD

A girl sitting quietly is all you see

But inside my mind I am far from free

My thoughts collide, my senses take over

I become overwhelmed by the smallest sound

Clicking pens, ticking clocks

That boy's chair and the way it rocks

All different smells attacking me

The perfumes, the coffee, the teacher's tea

Take a seat and sit with me

But not too close, I have ASD

I try to be social, I try to fit in

I come across rude, I can never win

I am very literal and straight to the point

If you want the truth I won't disappoint

When my brain is overloaded I sometimes lash out

My control fades, I scream and shout

I get confused and it all spills out

Intense emotions all trapped inside

Finally have nowhere to hide

Take a seat and sit with me I want to tell you about ASD

Please understand I am not to blame I've just got an atypical brain

But it's not all doom and gloom

I'm often the sportiest girl in the room

I'm quirky, unique, kind and caring

I'm loyal, protective and always sharing

I'm obsessed with frogs and all things green

I'm the youngest trendsetter you've ever seen

Take a seat and sit with me

I am Ava, I am me

I'm not just my label of ASD.”