BreastScreen Australia is the national breast screening program and actively in­vites women aged 50—74 to have a free two yearly mammogram. Women aged 40—49 and those aged over 74 are also eligible to receive a free mammogram.

Associated Professor Sanjay Warrier said “I’ve formulated an easy system to help women undertake self-examinations at home and I call it ‘LOOK, LIFT, FEEL”.

“LOOK, LIFT, FEEL only takes a few min­utes and should be done regularly. Look at your breasts in the mirror to identify any changes in shape, colour or texture. Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Look for any changes in the size, shape or sym­metry of your breasts. Check for dimpling, puckering or changes in the skin texture.

“Then lay flat and lift your arm up over your head and with two fingers together, using the pads of each finger, place gentle pressure on the breast moving your fingers around in a circular motion. Cover the en­tire breast from top to bottom and side to side. Also feel up under the armpit. Change sides and repeat.

“Take your time and feel for lumps or changes in the breast. Remember that your breasts may be dense and will natu­rally feel uneven. If you encounter any changes or unusual lumps, thickening or hardened knots, or nipple discharge, book an appointment with your doctor. The ma­jority of issues are benign, but it’s always important to check things with your doctor.”

“Regular self-exams can help you be­come familiar with how your breasts nor­mally look and feel, making it easier to no­tice any changes.”

If you are one of the estimated 20% of Aus­tralians that suffer from hayfever, Spring is not a time for celebration but rather a time of sneezing, mucous and the dreaded itchy eyes! Allergic conjunctivitis is the bane of many a hay fever sufferer, so what is the best way for you to manage your itchy eyes?

1. Avoid your allergy triggers. Plants, grasses or pollens that trigger your al­lergy symptoms should be avoided. Try saving outdoor activities to the even­ing or just before dawn when the pollen count is lower.

2. Keep allergens away. Regularly wash­ing your face, hair and around your eyes, frequently changing your clothing and lin­en can help to remove the little allergen particles that accumulate.

3. Treat your itchy eyes with medica­tion. Over the counter antihistamine eye drops can provide relief for the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Avoid using the “red eye” drops. These will only tempo­rarily hide the redness without actually addressing the cause of your red, itchy eyes. For persistent allergy, use a mast cell stabiliser eyedrop leading up to and during spring to act as a preventative. These are available as a combination drop alongside an antihistamine.

4. Treat any concurrent dry eye disease. Having dry eyes will exacerbate your al­lergic conjunctivitis symptoms and our tears act as a natural means of flushing allergens out of our eyes. Watch out with taking oral antihistamines as these can cause dry eyes.

Book an appointment at Hansens Optom­etrists where we can formulate a personal­ised plan. We can prescribe more effective eye drops and treat other eye problems that might be masquerading as allergy symp­toms.

Eye Health Brought to you by Hansen’s Eyecare Plus

On Saturday, 31st August, adored local Peg Lynch, affectionately known as ‘Miss Peg’, who has been diagnosed with termi­nal cancer, donated her hair to a charity that makes wigs for kids and at the same time helped raise some funds to assist Parkes CanAssist.

Peg was surrounded by close friends and family at her home, and with the as­sistance of Janice, from Janice Hair Salon, and Adele from Adele’s Hair Salon, when she braved the big chop.

Janice from Janice Cassidy’s Hair Salon, who is a long time friend, and lives just up the road from Peg also talked to the crowd about “The Wig Library” which is a free ser­vice offered in Parkes for cancer patients.

“It’s just like borrowing a book,” said Janice.

After the big chop, a wide-eyed ‘Mr Peg’ could not stop complimenting his wife on her new hair style, saying: “I didn’t recog­nise her, I looked over there and I was like, who’s that?”It also appears Miss Peg’s generous na­ture and charity is inspiring others, as The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix received the fol­lowing message from Paula Sutherland:

“We all work at Vinnies [with Peg] so we had a container and message on the morning tea table at Vinnies. Trish Davies’ grandson Jaycob was visiting with his grandmother and when she tried to give him money earned for helping her in the garden he said to her, “Please give it to someone in need.” He then put the $10 in the donation container for Peg’s hair trim for Canassist. We were all touched by this heartfelt gesture from a 12 year old boy.”

Peg’s initial fundraising target was $500 and she can not believe that the target has already surpassed $3,000.

You can still support Peg in her final act of kindness by making a donation at www.mycause.com.au/page/351308/pegs-fund­raiser-for-can-assist?popup=1.

Western NSW Local Health District (WN­SWLHD) is encouraging people who are passionate about improving their com­munity’s health to apply to take part in the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Chal­lenge.

The WNSWLHD Building Healthy Com­munities Challenge was established this year by the District’s Health Promotion team to help smaller communities take control of improving their overall health, by providing up to $12,000 in funding and in­tensive support to deliver a community-led health initiative.

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Coordina­tor Hayley Vaughan said applications are open to any community group in a town or community with less than 5,000 peo­ple who has an idea for an initiative which could improve people’s health.

“We encourage communities to apply if they have an idea which could increase physical activity or healthy eating in their community, reduce smoking and vaping rates or establishing infrastructure which promotes healthy living,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Any idea is a good idea, big or small, and they could be as simple as implement­ing a regular walking group or setting up community gardens to grow healthy food.”

WNSWLHD Health Promotion Officer Kelly Cook said an independent panel will assess applications and select two towns to compete in the friendly competition.

“The two chosen towns will each receive $8,000 in funding assistance and intensive support from the Health Promotion team to establish and implement their initiative, and we will also provide additional resourc­es and assistance with promotion too,” Ms Cook said.

Applications are open from Monday 2nd September to Friday 11th October 2024.

For more information contact the WNSWL­HD Health Promotion Team on WNSWL­HD-HealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au.

Ten years ago I fell in love with a farmer who lived near Yeoval. As a fresh-faced Physiotherapist, I had concerns about what this new location could mean for my career.

I remember a conversation with an elderly gentleman, “Where is Yeoval?” He asked.

“The middle of nowhere,” I quipped with an impending sense of doom. “It’s about an hour from Dubbo, Parkes, and an hour and a bit from Orange.”

His eyes crinkled into a smile, he looked at me, then slowly said, “Well that sounds to me like it’s in the middle of everywhere..”

I thought about that comment often, then a few years later I decided to start my own business. I traveled to each of the sur­rounding towns, spending one day a week in each. Working out of GP clinics, church halls and client homes, slowly building my business. I started to employ other allied health professionals in these locations, working alongside me to meet the health­care needs of these regional locations. Cuphalf-full people who loved a challenge, and grew the business, constantly coming up with ideas to deliver high quality healthcare, inspiring me with their passion and drive.

Today, Kerin Health proudly services a 800km diameter across the Central West, with outreach teams going even further to locations like Tottenham and Lake Cargel­ligo.

I wonder what would have happened if I didn’t change my perspective. If that lovely man didn’t gently remind me to seize the opportunity, not be blinded by the obstacle.

And to surround myself with people who did the same.

I don’t know where he is now. But I hope he’s smiling.

Interested in knowing more about what services we offer? Contact us today or check out our website. www.kerinhealth.com.au

The Tullamore Community came together on Saturday 6th July to host a “Cosy Casse­role Pink Night”, in support of the McGrath Foundation and their local McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di Green. The fun-filled even­ing held at the Tullamore Bowling Club featured hearty homemade casseroles, raffles, a 100 club draw, an auction and musical entertainment.

A staggering $3,323.60 was raised on the night, with McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di Green saying, “I enjoyed the night, as they (Tullamore) are always such a welcoming community, and so supportive of the work I do for all women and men in the area who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Without community support the McGrath Foundation wouldn’t be able to provide nurses across Australia and it is communi­ties like Tullamore who always have such big hearts and once again came together to help ensure their community has the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.”

Event organiser, Leanne Porter would like to thank the team of community mem­bers who came together with all their sup­port, those who donated raffle and auction items, Bernadette Binnie the auctioneer on the night, Lindner Bulk Haulage Trundle for their support of the event and Alana Pot­ter who provided the entertainment for the evening. Winners on the night for the 100 club were Rowan Egan, Robert Porter and Leanne Porter.

The McGrath Foundation raises funds to place Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia, providing invaluable sup­port and care to individuals and families ex­periencing breast cancer. Whether you are in the private or public health system, you can access a McGrath Breast Care Nurse at no cost. If you need any assistance, you can search for a nurse near you on the in­teractive map, or call their telephone sup­port service at 1800 183 338.

The Companions Thru Cancer group held their annual Soup Day last Thursday 20th June, at the Parkes Red Cross Rooms. It is one of the main fundraisers for the group who then donate the money back to the community in various ways.

This year the Soup Day was very popular and the group raised $750. There was a raffle to help raise money and the lucky winner of the raffle was Vanessa Woolner.

The group is always looking for new members to come along and join, they meet up socially once a month and there is also a monthly newsletter. President Mavis Moon said “We would love some younger members to join, as we are an older group who are mostly in our 80s.”

Last year the group ran Soup Day at Neighborhood Central in Parkes for their staff and volunteers, this year it was decided to open it up to the public and the Red Cross rooms were the perfect setting.

It is still undecided where the money raised will be donated to, but Mavis said “Each year we like to donate any money we raise to a local charity, in the past we have donated to CanAssist, Cur­rajong Enterprises, Careflight, RFS and other local charities”. All are welcome to attend the upcoming AGM being held in August at Parkes Neighbourhood Central.