Political engagement

On 27 June, along with Rowan Ramsey and Graham Perrett of the Parliamentary Friends of Diabetes and Diabetes Australia, Pathology Awareness Australia (PAA) helped organise a fantastic diabetes testing event in the Senate Alcove at Australian Parliament House. Attended by the likes of Health Minister Greg Hunt and Patrick Dodson, leading pathologists Professor Greg Johnson of Diabetes Australia and Professor Ken Sikaris, those attending not only had an HbA1c test but were presented with alarming statistics

Then on 12 September, Jason Clare and Warren Entsch of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness were there to help PAA build a prostate cancer testing event into a roaring success. With 217 men and 43 politicians taking prostate tests it was wall-to-wall in the Senate alcove, amongst the politicians were deputy PM Michael McCormack and shadow treasurer Anthony Albanese.

To date 95 federal politicians have come through pathology labs since they began. In this financial year there have already been 15 visitors, including Julie Bishop and Jim Chalmers, with more scheduled for early 2019.

International Pathology Day

this year was a ripping success with 23 federal politicians posting in support on social media, including creating their own videos, infographics, and even passing a motion in support of International Pathology Day in the senate. We also had 10 Health Consumer Organisations, such as Diabetes Australia and the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation supporting the day, with messages of support from CEOs.

All things media

In the social media space, for Facebook alone we had a reach in 2018 of 1,436,744 with 124,290 likes. A social media highlight was International Pathology Day, with 23 federal politicians posting in support of the day, helping us to reach 418,823 people.

The knowpathology website continues to grow on the back of informative stories, while we continue to run our Community Service Announcement TV advertisement, which had 721 spots across channels 10, 7, 7Two, and 7Mate over the course of 2018.

Health Consumer Organisations

In addition to the support from our HCO supporters on International Pathology Day and at testing events in parliament house, this year we have brought educators from organisations like Diabetes Australia to our political lab tours in order to give them a sharper focus on specific health conditions, a practice we look forward to continuing and expanding in 2019. Along with more social media sharing for awareness days, articles and events.

With more political engagement, media reach and HCO collaboration, the year 2019 should be one to celebrate for those either working in, or engaged with, the pathology sector.

Until then, enjoy the rest of the year and enjoy the festive season.

The post That’s a wrap: know pathology’s greatest hits of 2018 first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

The post Pathology testing and diabetes first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Today, on International Pathology Day, Health Care Organisations (HCOs) and federal politicians join us in talking about how important pathology is for the health sector in terms of early detection, monitoring and treatment of health conditions. Below are some of the messages already sent to us via HCOs ahead of International Pathology Day.

We will be updating our Facebook page throughout the day with messages of support from our politicians in Canberra who understand the importance of Australia’s world-class pathology sector to delivering an outstanding healthcare system.

Support International Pathology Day on social media with the hashtags #knowpathology and #IPD2018.

Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation

“In most cases, cervical cancer is highly treatable if detected early. Pathology is fundamental in the early detection of cervical cancer – at ACCF, we believe that no child should lose their Mum, no partner should lose a spouse or no parent should lose a daughter from this insidious disease.”

 – ACCF CEO, Joe Tooma 

Cystic Fibrosis Australia

“Pathology is a vital tool in the CF toolbox. It supports diagnosis of infections, monitors and identifies co-morbidities  and ensures the correct interventions are offered.”

– Cystic Fibrosis Australia CEO, Nettie Burke 

Diabetes Australia

“Reliable and affordable pathology tests are critical to the health of millions of Australians affected by diabetes. Over 100,000 Australians have been diagnosed with diabetes in just the past 12 months – with the use of pathology tests. Around 1.3 million Australians currently have diabetes and need regular pathology tests to help monitor and manage their health.

Pathology tests are an important part of guiding diabetes treatment. They can give healthcare teams and people with diabetes insights into their diabetes management and help them make decisions that minimise the likelihood of significant complications such as kidney problems, heart attacks and stroke, limb amputations and blindness.

Diabetes Australia is also advocating for earlier detection of diabetes as up to 500,000 Australians may have “silent”, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes – so we have recommended the HbA1c test be incorporated with other blood tests in emergency departments and other times when doctors are ordering a range of blood tests.”

                     – Diabetes Australia CEO, Professor Greg Johnson

Haemochromatosis Australia

“Pathology plays a vital role in the diagnosis and management of many conditions, including haemochromatosis. Without access to timely and accurate information about our genetic status, iron levels and general health our doctors would be working blind. Pathology providers even play a role in treatment with many people receiving venesections through providers. So on International Pathology Day 2018, we acknowledge and thank pathologists and their wonderful staff all over Australia.”

 – Haemochromatosis Australia President, Dianne Prince

GI Cancer Institute

“Pathology plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment decisions of patients with gastro-intestinal cancers. Furthermore, it is a crucial part of the research that continues to discover better and more personalised treatments for patients and ultimately improve their survival outcomes.”

 – GI Cancer Institute Chair, Professor Tim Price

Human Genetics Society of Australasia

“Pathology is key to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions.  From complex whole genome sequencing to identify the cause of intellectual disability in a young child, specific genetic testing to ensure targeted therapy in certain cancers, to routine biochemistry to monitor the therapy of patients with inborn errors of metabolism.  All genetic professionals, whether doing the testing in the lab, treating or counselling the families affected by genetic conditions, value pathology and join you in celebrating International Pathology Day on 14th November.”

– Human Genetics Society of Australasia CEO, Dr Kevin Carpenter

Jodi Lee Foundation

“Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia, but it doesn’t have to be. If caught early up to 90% of cases can be successfully treated. If you are proactive about your health and take the free government screening test from age 50 you can dramatically improve your chances of early detection. You can do the test in the comfort of your own home and mail the kit to the pathology lab, which plays such a vital role in early diagnosis of bowel cancer. I urge you to take the time, take the test. It might just save your life.”

 – Jodi Lee Foundation CEO, Kathryn Quintel

Kidney Health Australia

“Pathology tests are absolutely fundamental to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of kidney disease, along with other chronic diseases. 90% of kidney function can be lost without any symptoms, so early detection is critical. Pathology tests can aid early diagnosis and can therefore help to reduce of the burden of kidney disease. We recommended people ask their GP for a kidney health check, or find out if they’re the ‘one in three at increased risk’, and take the online Kidney Risk Test at kidney.org.au/kidneyrisktest.”

 – Kidney Health Australia CEO, Chris Forbes 

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

“Pathology testing is central to the diagnosis of prostate cancer not just in Australia but around the world. Every form of cancer is diagnosed in a pathology lab through pathology testing, so it’s important to have days like International Pathology Day that brings awareness to the vital role of pathology in the detection, monitoring and treatment of medical conditions. That’s why the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia are supporting International Pathology Day today.”

– Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia 

Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc

“The Skin & Cancer Foundation works closely with pathologists for diagnosis and treatment of complex patient conditions. Pathology is a vital component in diagnosis and plays an important role in the medical investigation of patient health issues. Our dermatologists work with pathologist in determining diseases of the skin, skin cancers and melanoma. The Skin & Cancer Foundation is a proud supporter of International Pathology Day and for raising awareness around the important expertise of pathology.”

– Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc CEO, Chris Arnold 

The post Support for International Pathology Day first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

They’re just a sample of the many health conditions that are often asymptomatic, that is, medical conditions a person can have for a long time without even being aware of it.

In the case of type 2 diabetes, someone can have the condition for seven years without knowing. And that can be a significant problem with it silently impacting their heart health, eyesight, limbs and kidneys.

Similarly, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can also go undetected for years without any awareness. In fact, by the time you are aware of CKD your kidneys can be badly damaged.

Many Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be asymptomatic and then go on to cause issues like sterility, eye problems, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

These and many other asymptomatic conditions can only be detected through pathology testing.

But how do you know if you need a pathology test if you aren’t experiencing symptoms?

Every medical condition has its own risk factors that can include lifestyle choices, age, ethnicity or family history. Each person will have different risk factors so finding out about your own family history and talking to a GP about risks for asymptomatic conditions is the best approach.

Why pathology testing counts

The ability to detect a medical condition and to detect it early is vital to better health outcomes.

Pathology testing allows millions of people worldwide to detect medical conditions, which then allows for medical treatment to occur.

And once medical treatment is administered, pathology testing helps to monitor a condition so that doctors can see how it’s responding to treatment.

In terms of health care the benefits are clear. Early detection of conditions leads not only to better health outcomes but often to health cost savings.

For example, the cost of treating diabetes without complications can be less than half the cost of treating diabetes with micro and macro-vascular complications.

Know Pathology, Know Healthcare

Pathology Awareness Australia (PAA) was formed in 2013 to explain the central importance of pathology to the Australian healthcare system and the Australian population more broadly.

For example, 100% of cancers are diagnosed through pathology, an estimated 70% of medical treatment decisions rely on pathology tests, a 1% reduction in a persons HbA1c levels (glycated haemoglobin) can reduce heart attack by 16% and kidney disease by 40%.

Through a combination of traditional media channels and digital campaigns (like this Know Pathology Know Healthcare article), PAA is attempting to bridge the knowledge gap and improve Australian health outcomes. You can help us by sharing our content on social media and making sure you’re receiving our newsletter.

International pathology day

Internationally, pathology plays an integral part in global healthcare systems.

We are privileged in Australia to not only have the highest standard labs in the world, and cutting-edge technology, but 35,000 skilled and dedicated staff helping to provide world-leading medical diagnosis.

On International Pathology Day, we celebrate pathology’s enormous contribution and thank those working in the industry across Australia.

We are joined by others who know the value of pathology including our supporter organisations and Australian politicians who have attended our laboratory tours and events.

To show your support for the work of the pathology sector, make a comment on the Know Pathology Facebook page and post on social media celebrating what pathology means to you using the hashtag #knowpathology and #IPD2018.

Happy International Pathology Day!

The post CROUCHING CONDITION, HIDDEN DISEASES – WHY PATHOLOGY MATTERS      first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.