Gladstone Womens Health Centre

WHAG MAG
9 Derby Street, PO Box 8219, South Gladstone Ph: 4979 1456 Fax: 4979 1901 Email: [email protected]

1993-2013
July 2013
IN THIS ISSUE Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Expo ......................... 2 Membership .................... 3 Book Review..3 Membership form.4 Youth day......................... 5 Young Parent Program..6-8 Book Reviews..8 Bullying.9-10 Look Good Feel Better ... 11 Balancing Act: The Dance of an Unbalanced Life ... 11-12 Bowel Cancer ............ 12-13

For 20 years we have held the belief that the work we do gives women opportunities to learn and grow stronger. We also believe that strong women help ensure a strong family and strong families ensure a strong and health community.

The Gladstone Womens Health Centre respectfully acknowledges the traditional and original owners of this land of the Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Bailai people.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

AGM and 20th Anniversary celebration

All members and friends are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting for Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Inc. (WHAG).

5:30pm 20 November 2013 at Camelot Motel

Come at 5pm if you would like to share drinks before the meeting. Please RSVP by Thursday 14 November Ph. 49779 1456 or Email: [email protected]
Nominations to fill positions on the management committee can be taken at any time up to and including at the AGM. The positions that need to be filled are: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Committee members. To nominate for the committee and to vote at the AGM you must be a financial member. Membership forms are included with this newsletter. To celebrate the 20 Anniversary of Womens Health Centre guest speakers will be invited and a buffet style dinner will be available on the night.

To find information about Calendar Events, Helpful Hotlines, our Sponsors, Programs, Reclaim the Night information, Woking Womens Group and much more please visit our website: www.gladstonewomenshea lth.org.au

www.facebook.com/pages/Gla dstone-Womens-HealthCentre/108594182507828?fref

Funded by: Queensland Government

Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Expo

The Womens Health Centre and Central Queensland University got together to organise

Breast Health Awareness Mini Expo at a date to be decided

When the Calliope Senior Roosters Club held a Ladies Night in March they donned

We are seeking women to help plan the Breast Health Awareness Mini Expo and to be part of the event. Please contact the Centre 49791456 or by email.

pink socks and passed around a pink bucket to raise money to help the Breast Cancer cause. Due to the effort of the players, the club members and the community $1500 was raised and given to the Gladstone Womens Health Centre. It was a very nice gesture on their behalf and we greatly appreciate it. With this money the Gladstone Womens Health Centre is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness mini expo in collaboration with the Central Queensland University on the at a date to be decided at the Gladstone Campus. For information about the Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Expo or how the Centre support women with cancer please phone Womens Health Centre on 4979 1456 email [email protected]

Calliope Roosters Kerrie Vallis, Fiona Claridge and Bec Taylor present a cheque to Robyn Liddell

Membership for 2013-2014 due now

Membership is very important part of the Womens Health Centre and we are inviting you to become a member. Membership Fees are $15 per individual per annum, being renewable on the 1 of July. A pro rata amount is payable, reduced by $7.50 at the end of January. Organisation membership is $40 per annum (less than ten staff) $80 (more than 10 staff). Please make cheques payable to the Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Inc. Please post to PO Box 8219 South Gladstone or drop in to the Centre at 9 Derby Street Gladstone 4680. To pay Electronically Please submit your name so we can identify you! Bendigo Bank BSB: 633 000 Account: Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Account: 120738687
st

LENDING LIBRARY BORROWING INSTRUCTIONS

If you are a member you can borrow two books per fortnight. Please ask our staff to assist you once you have chosen your books. To extend a borrowing period, contact the Women's Health Centre and staff will extend the period for another week. If books are overdue, you will be notified by telephone and then by letter. If books are not returned within a reasonable time following this notification, an account for $15.00 per book will be issued to the borrower. These rules are in place to safeguard the books and ensure that they are available for other members to use.

The membership is very important to us because it helps us to offer a range of support services for the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of women in the Gladstone region. We promote and build awareness in a range of general health issues and offer sexual assault support & prevention. The groups activities are funded by Department of Communities and on occasion by other funding bodies and supported by donations and memberships. Members can attend education and support programs free of charge. Membership and donations are tax deductible.

B o o k r eview Kitchen Garden Cooking

By Stephanie Alexander
Stephanie Alexander's philosophy is that there is no such thing as special food for children: if food is good, everyone will enjoy it regardless of age. Here are 120 recipes with simple instructions, a colourful layout and lots of fast, fun facts. And while these recipes can be made by a couple of eight-year-olds in aprons - with a bit of adult supervision - the dishes are anything but standard kids' fare. It includes plans, activities and lists that together make up a blueprint that other schools may wish to follow. The program has given hundreds of primary-school

children the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest, cook and eat the very best kind of food - freshly grown, organic, unprocessed and delicious.

Membership for 2013-2014 due now

Membership Application Form

Applicant Name: __________________________________________ Year of Birth: _______ Postal Address: ________________________________________________________________ Post Code _________________________________________________ Phone: (H) _____________________ (W) ___________________ Mobile: _______________ Email: (H) _____________________________________________________________________ Email: (W) _____________________________________________________________________ Please Circle: I would like to receive the following material: WHAG Mag Calendar Sexual Assault Newsletter

Please send it to me by: Snail Mail Please select: New Membership Individual Renewal of Membership Organisation Email I can pick them up

Membership Fee Enclosed: $________________ Signature: _______________________

Date:_______________

Membership Fees are $15 per individual per annum, being renewable on the 1st of July. A pro rata amount is payable, reduced by $7.50 at the end of January. Organisation membership is $40 per annum (less than ten staff) or $80 (more than ten staff). Please make cheques payable to the Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Inc. Please post to PO Box 8219 South Gladstone or drop in to the Centre at 9 Derby Street Gladstone 4680 To pay Electronically Please submit your name so we can identify you! Bendigo Bank BSB: 633 000 Account: Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Account: 120738687

Thank you for supporting the Womens Health Centre and Gladstone Region Sexual Assault Services. Your membership will assist us in the work we do. As an individual financial member, you are eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting and Special Meetings. Individual Members can also nominate to be on the Management Committee and become actively involved in the Womens Health Service. OFFICE USE ONLY: RECEIPT NUMBER: ____________________ APPROVED AT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING: DATE: _____________ MOVED: ______________________ SECONDED: ____________________ DATE PAID: ___________________

Are you aged 13-17? And looking for some holiday fun?

Parenting Program
WHAT IS ATTACHMENT?

Researched by Tina Robinson coordinator of the Parenting Program

Attachment can be described as the relationship between infants and their primary caregivers. We now know that the mother/caregiver child bond is the primary force in infant development (Bowlby 1977). The central theme of attachment theory is the mothers/caregivers capability of being available and responsive to the needs/emotions of their infants. Bowlbys research lead him to the conclusion that in order for a child to develop into a mentally stable adult the infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment (Bowlby 1951 p.13). There are four defining features of the attachment bond: 1. Proximity maintenance (wanting to be physically close to the attachment figure). 2. Separation distress (separation from the caregiver when sensing danger). 3. Safe haven (retreating to the caregiver when sensing danger). 4. Secure base (the provision of a secure dependable base for the child to explore the world). Styles of Attachment: Secure, avoidant and anxious ambivalent. Bowlbys work was expanded on by Mary Ainsworth in the 1970s. Her ground breaking strange situation study revealed the effects of attachment on behaviour. Later an additional style of attachment was identified by Londerville & Maine (1981) and named it disorganised attachment. Secure Attachment: Child will explore freely whilst mum/caregiver is present, will engage with strangers, will be upset when mother leaves and is happy on her return. Anxious Avoidant: Child will often ignore mother showing little or no emotion when mother leaves or returns, not confident in exploring. Anxious Ambivalent: Child is anxious of exploration even when mother is present, is wary of strangers, distressed when mother leaves and extremely distressed on her return. The child will then be ambivalent to mothers offer of comfort. Disorganised: Children experience the mother/caregiver as frightened or frightening. The child has no-one to turn to. The child needs mum to help it organise feelings but is frightened or confused by mum. Attachment Style Resulting Adult Characteristics Secure Able to create meaningful relationships, empathetic, able to set appropriate boundaries. Avoids closeness or emotional connection, distant, critical, rigid and intolerant. Anxious and insecure, controlling, blaming, erratic, unpredictable but sometimes charming. Chaotic, insensitive, explosive, abusive and untrusting.

Avoidant

Ambivalent

Disorganised

Attachment has been defined in many ways but all definitions conclude that attachment is an essential ingredient for normal human development. Research shows that different types of insecure attachment not only leads to developmental problems during infancy but also predisposes towards specific difficulties in later life (Thompson 1999).

If you are a parent you may benefit from the Circle of Security Parent Program that is about to start at the Child and Family Centre at 74 Auckland Street, next to Central School. You can contact Tina to book a place in this eight week program which is due to commence at 11am on the 11th July by ringing 49791456 or by emailing [email protected]. This program is the collaborative effort of a range of local health and welfare services relevant to meeting the needs of families.

References
Ainsworth, M D S (1979) Infant Mother Attachment. American Psychologist, 34. 932-937 Bowlby, J (1951) Maternal Care and Mental Health. World Health Organisation Monograph. Bowlby, J (1977) The Making and Breaking of Affectionate Bonds. British Journal of Psychiatry, 130. 201-210 Epstein, H T (2001) An Outline of the Role of Brain in Human, Cognitive Development. Brain & Cognition, 45. 44-51 Karen, R (1994) Becoming Attached: First Relationships and how they shape our Capacity to Love, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Londerville, S & Maine M (1981) Security of Attachment, Compliance and Maternal Training Methods in the Second Year of Life. Developmental Psychology, 17. 289-299 Schone, A N (1998) The Experience dependent maturation of an evaluative system in the cortex. IN: Pribran, K (Ed) Brain and Values: Is a Biological Science of Value Possible (337-358) Mahwah, N J. Erlbaum. Thompson R A (1999) The Development of Attachment in New Relationships: Single Subject Analysis for 10 Foster Infants. Development and Psychopathology, 12. 133-156

The evidence suggests that the environment that the childs primary caregiver provides has huge impact in all aspects of child development. Research on brain development has shown that infants transactions with early socio-emotion environment indelibly influence the evolution of brain structures responsible for the individuals socio-emotional functioning for the rest of the lifespan (Schone 1994). Epstein (2001) supports this view when the child is held and hugged, brain networks are activated and strengthened, and firing spreads to associated networks; when the child is sung to, still other networks are strengthened to receive sounds and interpret them as song. Toddlers who had an insecure attachment as infants smile less at their mothers and ignore them more when together. They also direct more anger, physical aggression and non-compliance toward them (Londerville and Maine 1981). The research suggests that failure to form secure attachments early in life have major negative influences throughout life (Karen 1994).

Book Review

Parenting from the Inside Out

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Mary Hartzell, M.Ed.

How many parents have found themselves thinking: I can't believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to say to me! Am I just destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents? In Parenting from the Inside Out, child psychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and early childhood expert Mary Hartzell, M.Ed., explore the extent to which our childhood experiences actually do shape the way we parent. Drawing upon stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.

Other Library Books for parents

A Mans Guide to RAISING KIDS
Michael Grose
A parenting book with a difference - one written for men! A Man's Guide to Raising Kids shows men how to be effective fathers for both their sons and daughters from tots to teens. It will change the way that you view fatherhood forever and encourage you to become involved in all aspects of raising kids. Its chapters on fathering after divorce and grand parenting make this a comprehensive guide for all men who are involved in the lives of kids.

Build Your Teenager's SELF-ESTEEM

Susan Barton & Katherine Ingram
Self-esteem is one of the most powerful of life's tools. It is the key to surviving triumphantly the hurdles that face us. The higher a young person's self-esteem, the more likely they are to make constructive choices for themselves. What practical things can we as parents do and say to help our teenagers feel good about themselves? How do our kids build the self-esteem they need to meet the challenges of their lives with confidence, secure in the knowledge that they are loved and valued? This book offers real-life strategies wise and practical ideas that you can act on today to help your teenagers live more fully and to help everyone enjoy family life more.

Guide of Sanity & Survival for Young Parents (GOSSYP)

This is a book of stories and information about pregnancy, birth and parenting written by, for and about young parents. This book is for anyone interested in the lives of young parents and the resources and information available to support them. This is a valuable resource for parents, health workers, teachers, counsellors and grandparents.

Did you know?

Financial members can borrow two books for two weeks. Talk to a staff member about other benefits of being a member. Membership Fees are $15 per individual per annum, being renewable on the 1st of July. A pro rata amount is payable, reduced by $7.50 at the end of January. Organisation membership is $40 per annum (less than ten staff) or $80 (more than ten staff). Please make cheques payable to the Womens Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Inc. 1 Please post to PO Box 8219 South Gladstone or drop in to the Centre at 9 Derby Street Gladstone 4680

rone to mental illness. It is therefore clear that early intervention programs are essential to help support mother/caregivers at this crucial stage in development.

TAKING ACTION AGAINST BULLYING

There are many different things you might be able to do if you are being bullied. As long as you dont feel unsafe or physically threatened, you might try first to work it out yourself. Here are some tips that may be helpful, especially for verbal bullying. Ignore the person who is bullying you (including contact with him/her via mobile phone or email) bullies are looking for a reaction and often lose interest if they dont get one. Stay with others stick to areas where you feel safe and hang out with people you trust. The person who is bullying you wont pick on you as much when there are other people around. Stay positive and be confident think of all the things you do well and try not to let the bullying affect your confidence. Keep out of the bullys way it might be possible for you to avoid the person who is bullying you, for example by travelling a different way to school, or avoiding the places that he/she hangs out. Dont reply to bullying messages itll only get worse if you do. By replying, the bully gets what he or she wants. Often if you dont reply, the person will leave you alone. Ask for help if the bullying doesnt stop, you might find it helpful to ask someone else for advice. You should also report it to someone in charge either at school or at work.

BULLYING
Anyone can be bullied its a lot more common than people think and can happen at school, at home, on the sporting field, at work or online. If you are being bullied, its important to remember that you are not to blame, and that there are steps you can take to stop it. Bullying is a serious matter and no one should have to put up with being bullied. WHAT IS BULLYING? There are many ways that someone can be bullied. Bullying can be: Verbal: including name calling or put downs, threats, teasing and sexual harassment even if it is done in an indirect or suggestive way. This can also take place online or through mobile phone text messages. Physical: including being punched, tripped, kicked or having your belongings stolen or damaged. It might also include sexual abuse. Social: including being left out or ignored, or having rumours spread about you. This type of bullying is very common. Psychological: this is often less obvious or direct than other forms of bullying. You might be given dirty looks, be stalked or made to feel intimidated. Cyberbullying: this is a form of bullying which takes place online, for example via email, chat rooms, discussion groups, online social networking, instant messaging or web pages. This can also take place via mobile phone text messages. WHEN ISNT IT BULLYING? Bullying isnt a one-off incident a friend being in a bad mood one day, calling you names and then apologising later. Its when name-calling or threats continue that it becomes bullying.

BULLYING
WHY DO PEOPLE BULLY OTHERS? Bullying can be done by an individual person or by a group of people. Anyone can be a bully, including a friend, your boyfriend or girlfriend, brother or sister, or another family member. A bully can also be an older person, or someone in a position of power such as a teacher, parent or boss. Often, bullies have low self-esteem and may even have been bullied in the past themselves. They may use bullying as a way of making themselves feel more powerful. People who bully can be motivated by jealousy and some do not understand the amount of hurt their behaviour causes. If you are being bullied, it may help to remember that bullies are often not as tough as they make out. GETTING HELP Try to remember that no matter how hard you try, the person who is bullying you might not be willing to change his or her behaviour. This is when talking to someone else can be really helpful. This may seem scary at first, however, telling someone can lighten your load and help you to work out how to address the problem and how you can stop being bullied. Talking to someone is particularly important if you feel unsafe or frightened. Asking for help or talking to someone about it is not being weak or have given in. In fact, it can take a lot of strength and courage. Although you may not want to, its important to tell someone in charge about what is happening. Your teachers and school counsellors want to know about bullying so they can take action and try to stop bullying across the school its their job to help. The person you decide to talk to should be someone you know well and trust. He/she will be able to give you support and may be able to suggest ways to deal with the situation that you hadnt considered. Its important to address the feelings that come from being bullied. If you are seeing a counsellor and feel you might get too nervous to speak, write down what youd like to say on paper or in an email before your appointment. You might feel more comfortable taking a friend with you.
n ReachOut.com www.reachout.com

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Everyone has the right to live, work, study and play in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence. No one deserves or asks to be bullied. Reporting bullying or asking for help, does not mean you are giving in to a bully. Its about looking after yourself and making sure you feel happier and more comfortable. If you feel no one believes you or is taking you seriously, it doesnt mean that your feelings arent valid or the bullying should continue. Its important you tell someone else and continue to do so until you are helped.

MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT You can speak to trained counsellors by phoning these 24-hour telephone counselling services: Lifeline 13 11 14 (cost of a local call) Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (freecall) Information and support is also available from the following websites: beyondblue www.youthbeyondblue.com or www.beyondblue.org.au Information on depression, anxiety and how to help a friend: www.headspace.org.au Information support and help near you: www.reachout.com
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The source for this article: www.youthbeyondblue.com

Look Good Feel Better

2013 Dates
Monday 26th August and Monday 28th October

The Look Good Feel Better program is a free community service program dedicated to helping Australians cope with the appearance related side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy such as hair loss and changes to the skin. The aim of the Look Good Feel Better program is to help manager these side effects and to help restore a persons appearance and self image. We achieve these results with the use of

Skincare Make up Hats Turbans Wigs

If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, experience the transformation for yourself. Or if you know of someone else undergoing treatment, please extend the invitation. Register today for a Look Good Feel Better workshop. www.lgfb.org.au to register of Freecall 1800 650 960

Kathy Corones and Eleni Meyrick with Isabella, on behalf of LGFB present a certificate of appreciation to Brenda Beauchamp for the support the WHC offers the LGFB program

Balancing Act: The Dance of an Unbalanced Life

Written by PhD Martha Beck /www.marthabeck.com/ Ha. In fact, having done all that research, I can tell you with absolute assurance that it is impossible for women to achieve the kind of balance recommended by many well-meaning self-help counsellors. I didnt say such balance is difficult to attain. I didnt say its rare. Its impossible. Our cultures definition of what women should be is fundamentally, irreconcilably unbalanced. Thats the bad news. The good news is that the very imbalance of our culture is forcing women to find equilibrium in an entirely new way. Here is typical scenario from when my children were younger: its five oclock in the morning. Ive been awake for about 23 hours, having struggled vainly to fit in writing between yesterdays tasks: getting the car fixed, taking the dog to the vet, answering email, grocery shopping, driving my kids to music lessons, seeing clients, picking up deli sandwiches for dinner, and cuddling one of my children through some of the horrors of growing up. I finally sat down at my computer around midnightand looked up just now to see the sun rising. Since Im up, I decide to set a historic precedent by preparing breakfast. All goes well as I awaken my children and head to the kitchen, at which point I remember how much I hate to cook. I even hate to toast. The kids arrive, yawning, and ask what Im planning to serve them. I think for a minute, then say, We have Oreos. My children roll their eyes. We have cocaine, I venture. Im pretty sure they know this is a joke. Ive never seen cocaine, much less tried italthough frankly its beginning to sound like a good idea. Isnt that how Sigmund Freud got so much done? Understand three things: (1) I dont have a job. I am a writer, which means I procrastinate and get away with it; (2) my children are not young. They walk, talk, bathe, diagnose their own viruses; and (3) Im kind of supposed to be an expert at combining career and family. I conducted years of sociological research on the topic, wrote several big fat books about it. Plus, Im a life coach. Youd think I could live a balanced life as a 21st century American woman. Henry David Thoreaus classic book Walden recounts two years the author spent living in solitary harmony with the wilderness. The books premise is that all humans could live simply and naturally, as Thoreau did. As a teenager, I loved Walden. Years later, as an exhausted working mother, I learned something Thoreau failed to mention in his journal: The entire time he was roughing it, his mother and sisters helped care for his needs, hauling in food and hauling out laundry. The reason Thoreau didnt write about this is that he took it for granted. Like most thinkers of his generation, he saw womens work as a product of natural female instinct: Birds fly south for the winter, and women show up to wash mens underwear. Okay, so Im a little bitterbut only because this attitude pervaded our culture well into my own lifetime. Early American feminists fought for the right to participate in the workforce by assuring everyone that it was easy to do womens work perhaps with ones toes, while simultaneously performing jobs traditionally reserved for men. I once believed this, and I have the colourful medical history to prove it. Women of my generation thought we could have everything; experience taught us we could have everything but sleep (one sociologist who studied an early cohort of working mothers wrote, These women talked about sleep the way a starving person talks about food). Bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a pan while never letting hubby forget hes a man turned out to be a logistical challenge to rival the moon landing, but without support from Houston.
5

Martha Beck is the author of Finding Your Own North Star (Three Rivers) and Expecting Adam (Berkley).

Continue Balancing Act: The Dance of an Unbalanced Life by Martha Beck; from page 8

The Joy of Being Unbalanced

If someone condemned you because, say, you failed to prevent Hurricane Katrina, you wouldnt dissolve in shame or work to overcome your inadequacy. Youd probably conclude that your critic was nuts, then simply dismiss the whole issue. Thats the wonderful thing about seeing that our society makes impossible demands on all women. You free yourself to ignore social pressures and begin creating a life that comes from your own deepest desires, hopes, and dreams. Youll stop living life from the outside in and begin living it from the inside out. Thats what happened to Meg, Laura, and Stephanie when each lost her balance in a dramatic way. Meg, the stay-at-home mom, hit the end of her rope when her husband left her for a more accomplished coworker. Lauras turning point was an emergency hysterectomy that meant she would never have the baby shower of her dreams. Stephanie finally realized she was trying to do the impossible the day her mother-in-law scolded her for working too much and she was fired for being too concerned with her personal life. There will be moments when you really get that the expectations youve been trying to fulfil are unfulfillable. This epiphany was terrible, because it meant relinquishing the goal of total social acceptance. But it was also the beginning of freedom, of learning to seek guidance by turning inward to the heart, rather than outward to social prescriptions. After her crisis, Laura discovered a passion for gardening that led her to quit her corporate job and start a floral nursery business. Meg spends her time contributing to the local schools and developing relationships that help her see her own value. Stephanie got a new job by developing a proposal that showed how she could add value to a company while working from home. On the surface, these arent revolutionary acts. But they filled each womans life with authenticity and satisfaction. If you feel trapped by contradictory demands, you may want to join this gentle rebellion. You can help create a new cultural paradigm, one that replaces conformity with honesty, convention with creativity, and judgment with kindness. That, in the end, is the gift of the disequilibrium that society has bequeathed to all of us. Being forced to seek balance within ourselves, we can make our unsteady, stumbling days feel less and less like disaster and more and more like a joyful dancethe dance of a wildly, wonderfully, perfectly unbalanced life.

Three Ways to Lose Your Balance

I spent the last decade of the 20th century interviewing American women and found that no matter how they sought balance; virtually none of them attained it in their culturally prescribed role. Some of these women were like Meg, a stay-at-home mother who sacrificed her career to care for her children, only to feel devalued by a society that equates professional achievement with fundamental worth. Others resembled Laura, a 43-year-old lawyer who never got the marriage or children shed always expected. Lauras heart ached every time she attended yet another baby shower. At work, married people dumped extra work on her, figuring she had no life. But most of the women I spoke to were like Stephanie, who had a good job, two children, and chronic fatigue. For years Stephanies boss complained that her work was inadequate because of the time she devoted to her family, while Stephanie (and her relatives) worried that her children were suffering because of the energy required by her work. Many of these women were haunted by the fear that others were judging them negatively. They were right. Our culture does belittle women who cannot be both professional high-achievers and traditional moms. It questions the devotion of women who attempt to combine the two roles. My conclusion? Balance, schmalance. Trying to establish a harmonious equilibrium between our societys definition of What a Woman Should Be is like trying to resolve the tension between two hostile enemies by locking them in a room together. But there is hope.
There is only one way to avoid criticism - do nothing, say nothing and be nothing

When you're always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness. Dale Archer, MD

Aristotle

Bowel Cancer

The Facts
Prevention and early detection
Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in Australia, and around 80 Australians die each week from the disease. Bowel cancer can be treated successfully if detected in its early stages, but currently less than 40 per cent of bowel cancers are detected early. Bowel cancer is more common in men, with 1 in 10 Queensland men and 1 in 13 Queensland women developing bowel cancer before age 85.

What is Bowel Cancer?

Generally, bowel cancers are slow growing and develop from polyps, which are growths on the inner lining of the bowel wall. If left untreated, polyps may continue to develop and become malignant (cancerous). A cancerous bowel tumour can remain localised in the bowel for some time; however it also has the potential to spread to lymph nodes, glands and other organs. Polyps often look like small bumps, similar to a mushroom with a defined stalk and head. The stalk attaches the polyp to the bowel lining.

Symptoms
Possible bowel cancer symptoms to be aware of include:

Rectal bleeding such as blood in the stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl (blood may be either bright or dark red). A recent change in usual bowel patterns, which lasts for more than two weeks, such as constipation, diarrhoea, changes in frequency, solidity or stool size. Lack of energy or tiredness. Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel. Unexplained weight loss or lack of appetite. Persistent cramping or abdominal pain.

The presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer. These symptoms can be caused by a wide range of other conditions. However it is important that you see your health professional promptly to have your symptoms investigated. Some people with early symptoms of bowel cancer may delay seeking medical help, as they feel embarrassed, but it is important to talk about these problems as soon as you notice them. The key to preventing the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body is early detection and treatment. For more information about National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) visit the website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/bowelcancer/.

Remember most people who develop bowel cancer have had no family members with the disease.

The source of information for this article: Bowel Cancer. The facts, prevention and early detection brochure by Queensland 7 Government; http://www.cancerqld.org.au/page/early_detection/bowel_cancer/; http://www.health.qld.gov.au/bowelcancer http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/; http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

Bowel Cancer
Bowel cancer risk factors
Age and health history can affect the risk of developing bowel cancer. Both men and women are at risk of developing bowel cancer. The risk is greater if you are aged 50 years or over. have a family history of bowel cancer. have a personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast. have a history of polyps in the colon. have a history of ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine) or Crohn's disease. have certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch Syndrome). There is emerging evidence regarding type 2 (usually noninsulin dependent) diabetes as a potential risk factor for bowel cancer, however further research is required. REMEMBER: You should never be told by your doctor that you are too young to have bowel cancer. Whilst bowel cancer is more common in people aged 50+, bowel cancer increasingly affects all age groups. If you have risk factors, do not accept 'you're too young to have bowel cancer' as an explanation for your symptoms - ask your doctor to be referred for further investigations. Healthy eating is very important part of preventing Bowel Cancer. This is one of the recipes with high fibre content that is a healthy choice and yummy to eat. For more high and low fibre recipes go to http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/

Chicken, sun dried tomatoes and barley risotto

Makes 4 serves Ingredients 500 grams of cooked barley grain 1 cup of water 200 grams of tinned chopped tomato 1 clove of garlic 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh marjoram Parsley to decorate 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 skinless chicken breasts 200 grams of artichoke hearts 5 tbls of shredded Romano cheese Salt and pepper to taste Method Blend garlic, marjoram, sun dried tomatoes, peeled tomato, vinegar, cup of water and 2 tablespoons of oil in a blender until nearly smooth. Heat a pan, add remaining olive oil and cook chicken breasts on either side until cooked through and golden (6-7 minutes either side). Set chicken aside and keep warm. Place the blended garlic and tomato mix in a pan and bring to a boil. Add cooked barley and artichokes and cook through stirring continuously for 5 minutes. Take off heat and add 4 tablespoons of Romano cheese, mix through. Divide the barley tomato mix into individual bowls, top with sliced chicken. Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of cheese and sprig of parsley on top of each dish and serve.
The source of information for this article: Bowel Cancer. The facts, prevention and early detection brochure by Queensland Government; www.cancerqld.org.au; www.health.qld.gov.au; www.bowelcanceraustralia.org; ww.medicareaustralia.gov.au

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