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The Role of Pathology in Mitochondrial Disease (mito)

Pathology plays an important role in both the diagnosis and ongoing management of mito. Patients can experience a wide variety of symptoms and it can be challenging to join the dots and consider mitochondrial disease as the cause. Patients often undergo a multitude of blood tests as part of their journey to diagnosis. Ongoing symptom management also involves regular pathology services over the patient’s lifetime.

Exciting research may lead to developments in pathology testing that improve the diagnostic process for people with mito, avoiding patients having to undergo invasive, painful and often inconclusive muscle and liver biopsies.

The post Mito Foundation first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Cancer Council is committed to limiting the burden of cancer on the 125,000 Australians diagnosed each year.

They aim to prevent cancer via research and prevention programs, as well as promoting evidence-based information and offering advocacy and support for those living with this condition.

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Role of pathology

Pathology is vital for diagnosis of cancers. Tests such as pap smears or bowel cancer screening can detect cancerous changes early, providing opportunity for minimally invasive treatment. Pathologist reports on tumours provide detail about the type of cancer and how best to treat it. Samples sent to registries provide a wealth of material for research, improving outcomes into the future. Genetic testing in pathology labs can also identify families at increased risk of developing cancer due to genetic changes. Family members can take steps to lower their risk or increase surveillance.

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Ron’s story

First diagnosed in 2001 with kidney cancer, Ron has since undergone numerous operations to remove his left kidney, left and right adrenal glands, his right lung and parts of the bones in his right leg.

Pathology has been vital throughout every stage of Ron’s treatment and he now has blood tests every 1-2 months to monitor how his body is being affected by both the cancer and the chemotherapy.

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The post Cancer Council Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

The national body for people affected by all types of diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition. They are committed to reducing the impact of diabetes on the Australian community through education and research.

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Role of pathology in diabetes

Diabetes is a condition defined by pathology results. Blood and urine tests help doctors discover new cases of diabetes and can even indicate people at risk of developing the condition. This gives them a chance to implement lifestyle changes that may delay or avoid onset completely. Once diagnosed, regular blood tests tell doctors how well the condition is controlled over time and keeps an eye on well-known complications that can occur, including kidney damage and circulatory problems. Having a good understanding of how well diabetes is controlled can help reduce future hospitalisations, dialysis and amputations.

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Greg Johnson, CEO Diabetes Australia

Greg Johnson, CEO Diabetes Australia visited a busy pathology laboratory in Melbourne to learn more about the work that happens behind the scenes to diagnose and support people with diabetes.

https://vimeo.com/189085936

The post Diabetes Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

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Role of pathology in Kidney Disease

Pathology plays a vital role in monitoring kidney function, which aids the early diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health problem and people can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before symptoms even develop. In fact, less than 10% of people with chronic kidney disease know they have the condition. Pathology is therefore essential to finding it early and giving them the best possible outcome. For people with late stage disease, pathology testing guides treatment and can assist in finding a ‘match’ for organ donation.

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Nik’s story

Nik was diagnosed with four stage kidney disease two weeks before his wedding. Before diagnosis he was seemingly healthy and was very active. Nik has had to adapt his lifestyle and diet to manage his health. He urges everyone to go and get tested tomorrow if they are concerned about their kidney health.

The post Kidney Health Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, quality treatment & care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. They encourage average risk Australians from age 50 to undergo screening every 1-2 years. Bowel Cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, yet 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early.

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Role of pathology in bowel cancer

Bowel cancer screening via an at-home sampling kit (faecal immunochemical test) is highly reliant on skilled pathology staff. Pathology professionals conduct blood and stool tests that guide diagnosis and review and interpret biopsy samples for treating doctors. Pathology testing is also used after diagnosis to help doctors determine the best course of treatment. For example, genetic tests can show mutations in particular genes which affect how a person’s body will respond to certain drugs. For families with genetic changes that put them at increased risk of bowel cancer, genetic testing can help them decide about increasing the frequency of check-ups.

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Ben’s story

Sydney based Ben Bravery was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 28 years old. Because of Ben’s young age, he underwent extensive genetic testing to see if some genetic factor could be found but Ben was negative for all factors and markers.

As a cancer patient Ben learned the value of all his test results and the guidance they gave his doctors. Now training to be a doctor himself, Ben will one day use pathology to help patients of his own.

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The post Bowel Cancer Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

As Australia’s peak body for blood cancers, they fund research and provide free services to support patients. This includes people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, and their families. They provide free practical and emotional support, and fund research to improve treatments and find cures.

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Role of pathology in blood cancers

Pathology services play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of many blood cancers.  Pathology professionals use scientific training to interpret blood results that may indicate cancer. Genetic testing by pathology labs provides insight into the specific type of blood cancer and how it can be best treated. Side effects can be monitored by regular testing and dosing and timing adjusted to keep the patient as healthy as possible. Blood transfusion for cancer patients with low blood oxygen is conducted safely through pathology labs matching donated blood products with patients.

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Bridgette’s story

Bridgette was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was eight years old. She’s always been interested in science but since undergoing treatment, this amazing little girl knows she wants to help other kids like her. Her dream is to be a Haematologist!

Read Bridgette's story

The post Leukaemia Foundation first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

As the peak body in Australia, PCFA is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, families and the wider community.

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Role of pathology in prostate cancer

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is extremely important to achieve a good clinical outcome. Blood tests and biopsies performed by pathology are a crucial part of the diagnostic process. Blood tests are also crucial for guiding treatment and monitoring progress.

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Graeme’s story

Graeme Woolridge is alive today thanks to pathology. A routine blood test at his GP in 2009 triggered a cascade of investigations that identified an aggressive form of prostate cancer at age 47.

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The post Prostate Cancer Foundation first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

The Foundation’s mission is to reduce the incidence and burden of cervical cancer on Australian women.

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Role of pathology in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is highly treatable if detected early and may be prevented through vaccination and regular pap smears or genetic testing for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Quality pathology services are essential to interpreting pap smears, HPV tests and cervical biopsies in order to prevent or detect cases early. Once diagnosed, pathology tests are central to guiding treatment choices and monitoring side effects.

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Lucas’s story

Ballarat father-of-two Lucas Ellis said a Pap test was a little bit of awkward for a lot of peace of mind. He has remained vocal about men playing a more encouraging role for the women in their lives, after losing his wife Melissa to cervical cancer in 2010. Melissa was 34 years old.

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The post Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Cystic Fibrosis Australia provides support & services to people with CF and their carers & families. This is complemented by a commitment to research and a quality improvement program focussing on improved clinical care for people with CF.

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Role of pathology in cystic fibrosis

A baby is born with cystic fibrosis (CF) every four days. Pathology testing via newborn screening is often the first opportunity to diagnose this life-shortening genetic condition. Throughout life, Australians with Cystic Fibrosis will rely on pathology to quickly diagnose respiratory infections and guide selection of antibiotics to cure these effectively and quickly. During adulthood, pathology services provide genetic information for family planning and lifetime management of the condition.

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Karyn’s story

Karyn Synnott, a mother of two from Hobart, knows that without pathology, her daughter Ashlee would not have been able to manage her Cystic Fibrosis and grow up to be such an “inspirational” young woman.

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The post Cystic Fibrosis Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.

Their work falls into four focussed programs pillars: Support, Awareness, Advocacy and Research.

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Role of pathology in ovarian cancer

Blood tests and biopsies performed by pathology services are a vital part of the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of ovarian cancer. Pathology assists clinicians in determining the type of tumour, the staging of the disease and therefore helps determine if a woman is eligible to be part of a clinical trial.

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Julie’s story

Julie is a Melbourne based teacher and busy mother of three. It was an incredible shock to her when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013 at age 41.

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The post Ovarian Cancer Australia first appeared on Know Pathology Know Healthcare.