Health checks
At the UoM Health Service there are two types of health checks that are available free for both staff and students. These are the 45-49 year old check and the blood pressure and blood glucose check.
Doctors can also perform skin cancer checks to help detect abnormal changes to your skin that may be an indication skin cancer development.
For more information please read below and to make an appointment contact the UoM Health Service
45-49 year old check
The Federal Government has provided funding through Medicare for routine health checks for people aged 45-49 years old at risk of developing chronic disease.
The aim of the health check is to assist with the prevention of chronic diseases and enable early intervention strategies to be put into place. Early intervention will mean less chronic illness and a better personal health outcome
If you are 45-49 years old and:
- Have a family history of chronic illness (one that is or is likely to be present for more than six months or a terminal condition), some examples being hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and resporatory illness.
- Are overweight, or smoke, or drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day or,
- Lead a stressful life, or have relationship problems or,
- Have a sedentary job, or have an inadequate diet, or don't exercise enough or,
- Are not up to date with your routine screeaning tests, ie., pap smear, breast check, colorectal cancer tests, cholesterol or glucose test.
Please contact the UoM Health Service to make an appointment with one of doctors. Please let the receptionist know the reason for the visit.
Staff outside of this age range are also welcome to have their health status reviewed at the Health Service. Please refer to fees for UoM staff for further details.
Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Checks
Diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to automatically regulate blood glucose levels, resulting in too much glucose (a sugar) in the blood.
Over time, high blood glucose levels may damage blood vessels and nerves. These complications of diabetes can cause damage to eyes, nerves and kidneys and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence and foot problems. This damage can occur before an individual is aware that they have diabetes if it has been left undetected for a long period of time.
Studies have shown that if blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure are kept within normal limits, the risk of damage to the body is reduced.
Symptoms of diabetes may include:
• Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Infections (eg. Thrush)
• Weight loss (in type 1 diabetes)
However, the symptoms of diabetes may not appear until blood glucose levels are above approximately 15mmol/l or higher. So, it is commom to have diabetes without knowing about it.
In Australia, one adult in twelve has diabetes and the prevalence is increasing. Research has shown that for every person with known diabetes, there is another who has it but has not yet been diagnosed.
Our reference and for more information: www.diabetes.com.au
Staff are encouraged to come into the Health Service and see the Nurse for a free blood glucose test. The service is available on:
Wednesdays 9.00AM-1.00PM
Ground Floor, 138 Cardigan Street Carlton (Health and Counselling Building)
To make an appointment please contact the UoM Health Service.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually does not give warning signs. You can have high blood pressure and feel perfectly well.
If your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney disease.
The following factors increase the risk of serious problems associated with high blood pressure:
• smoking
• having high blood cholesterol
• being overweight
• having diabetes
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is by having it checked regularly.
Staff are encouraged see a Nurse at the UoM Health for a free blood pressure and blood glucose test.
This service is available on Wednesdays 9.00AM-1.00PM
Please call the UoM Health Service for more information.
Skin Cancer Checks
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Over 1,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer every day and over 1,600 Australians die from skin cancer each year. In 2005, 245 Victorians died from melanoma.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources such as solariums are the major cause of skin cancer. However, skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer in Australia. Skin cancer can also be cured if detected and treated early.
Make an appointment to see one of our doctors for a skin cancer check.