the newsletter for rt health fund members
winter 2008
The blokes’ issue
be well.
from the CEO Welcome to this special ‘blokes’ issue’ of be well! There has been a lot of attention given to men’s health in the media recently with some high profile Australian men announcing that they are battling prostate cancer. The fact that we blokes are less likely to have regular check-ups or to head to the doctor until things become intolerable is probably no great surprise to anyone. But the fact is that if caught early enough, many men’s health issues are treatable so we’re encouraging all men to take a proactive attitude toward their health and to have those regular check ups. If you’re not sure what you should be checking for, take a look at page 10 to see some of the more common health checks needed at each stage of life, and talk to your doctor about what’s important for you to monitor given your age, state of health and family history. In the last issue we talked about the changing face of the health insurance industry in Australia. Since then we have seen MBF members accept an offer from BUPA, and
Medibank Private pursuing its acquisition of AHM. The emergence of these ‘super funds’ leaves me wondering how such enormous organisations will really benefit their members. I want to assure you that rt is proud to be a community fund and will continue to compete against the ‘big boys’, providing the best possible service and products to our members. The fact that we are achieving this was demonstrated recently when the Australian Financial Review Smart Investor magazine’s annual health fund review named rt as one of the ‘nation’s best-value health funds’. Two of our covers were rated among the top plans on offer in the country! – see page 23 for details. There are many elements that combine to let us know how well we’re performing as a fund. Among these are routine reviews conducted by the industry regulator, PHIAC. All health funds are subject to these in-depth operational audits, which culminate in a series of recommendations for improvements. In May the PHIAC team spent a week with rt and the results show just how far we have come in terms of governance, financial controls, operations, policies and procedures. They found nothing to make strong improvement recommendations on. Another valuable element in helping us to monitor how well we’re performing is our annual online member satisfaction survey – a big thank you to all who participated this year. Your valuable feedback enables us to assess what we’re doing well
and what you’d like us to work on. I’m looking forward to reporting on the results and new initiatives in the next issue of be well. Making sure that your health cover delivers real value is especially important in light of recent changes to the Medicare Levy Surcharge thresholds. There has been extensive speculation in the media about the potential for hundreds of thousands of people to drop their private health cover as it may no longer be necessary to avoid the surcharge. I am pleased to report that rt has experienced no such downturn – this is an indication of the real value our members place on their cover and the real benefits it returns to them. In fact, rt has achieved a very strong growth in membership of 11 per cent (which is nearly three times the industry average) in the last year! We look forward to sharing more news about this year of growth in our 2007/08 annual report. I’d like to extend an invitation to all members to this year’s AGM – this is your chance to have a say in how your fund is run. This year we’ll also be asking members to vote on a number of changes to rt’s constitution, which are being largely driven by legislative changes and the desire to further strengthen the capabilities of your board. More information will be provided on these changes when you receive your annual report in early October. Take care and be well. Glenn Campbell Chief Executive Officer
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Editor Simone Tregeagle Design team scope design scopedesign.com.au The health information provided in be well is intended to be informative only and should be carefully evaluated for its source, accuracy, completeness and relevance for your purposes. It is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. You should always obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to your particular circumstances. railway + transport health fund ltd (abn 93 087 648 744) is a registered health benefits organisation.
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4 – are you interested in becoming a member of rt’s board of directors? It’s that time of year again and the call is out for rt members interested in nominating for our board.
6 – going to hospital? Being prepared can reduce the impact on your health as well as your hip pocket. We’ve had a lot of experience with what happens when you go to hospital, so let us help you understand everything you need to know to make your stay a little easier, in every way. 8 – wherever you are in Australia, we’ve got you covered. Now, no matter where you are in the country, you’ll be able to benefit from your health cover. 9 – annual private health insurance and LHC statements. Each year, your health fund is required to provide you with these important statements. Take a look at why they’re so important, and what to do if you have not received yours yet.
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10 – check please! The health checks men should have regularly. Regular health checks are vital and allow you to make lifestyle changes that will help you avoid many preventable conditions.
18 – introducing your prostate – how well do you know each other? You’ve been together for a long time, but how well do you know your prostate, and are you listening to what it might be trying to tell you?
12 – top fuel – nutrition for boys of all ages. Getting boys to eat isn’t usually a problem, but are the boys in your life getting all the nutrients they really need?
20 – not talking about it won’t make it go away. Sometimes, difficulties ‘down there’ can be an indication of more serious problems elsewhere in your system. Take the plunge and talk about what’s happening.
14 – more important than a little black book – these are the numbers that might change your life. Knowing your numbers can help you to keep track of any changes in your body and may even help to prevent a major health event. 16 – are you helping your medications to help you? Did you know that taking medication properly can be just as important as taking it at all?
22 – call to arms – helping men tackle cancer. The big men of football are taking action and tackling cancer – want to know how you can help them? 24 – rt in the community Take a look what your health fund has been up to in the community recently.
rt news. 2
membertalk It was wonderful to see so many of our members getting into the spirit of our last issue – we’ve had an amazing time reading the many and varied entries for the ‘Adventures of Trevor and Bertie’ and your artworks have been positively fantastic! A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who entered our competitions and let their imaginations and creativity run free. It was particularly thrilling to receive colouring-in entries from members in the ‘over 60s’ category, and also so many entries from members of the same families – we hope you enjoyed spending time together creating your masterpieces! With so many fabulous entries, it was always going to be difficult to choose winners, but after much deliberation, we’d like to say ‘congratulations’ to the creators of some very special entries. For wonderful colouring-in that made Trevor and Bertie look so spectacular, congratulations to: Under 5 years – we adored this sensational artwork by Max Kroon, aged 4 6 to 10 years – we couldn’t go past this gorgeous entry from Melissa Reid, aged 9 20 to 65 years – we loved this entry from Maria Maher, aged 38
Oldest entrant – while it’s not generally considered polite to give away a lady’s age, we were thrilled to receive this entry from Gertrude Liszewski, aged 78 When it came to our story-writing competition, we received some very imaginative (and sometimes very cheeky) tales about our mascots, Trevor and Bertie! Congratulations to: Under 5 years – we were very honoured to receive the first story ever written by identical twins Luke and Alex Wilson, aged 4. Great job boys – we loved it! 6 to 10 years – Kaytlyn Killalea, aged 7, did a lovely job creating her story 11 to 15 years – well done to brothers Ben and Tom Kroon, aged 14 and 13 20 to 65 years – Gerry Starr, aged 64, delighted us with her tale of ‘Trevor the Terrible and Flirty Bertie’ Once again, thank you to everyone who entered!
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winners’ gallery
ABOVE: Max Kroon, aged 4 RIGHT: Melissa Reid, aged 9 (top), Maria Maher, aged 38 (middle), Gertrude Liszewski, aged 78
rt news. 4
would you like the opportunity to contribute more to your health fund? Why not consider nominating for a position on our board of directors?
“ Every rt member has the opportunity to cast a vote in the board elections.�
Board members must bring a range of financial and commercial skills and experience to the role. This includes having an understanding of the regulatory framework governing private health funds; the ability to interpret financial statements and legal documents; and the ability to contribute to the review of business, operational and marketing strategies. Any member can nominate for a position on the rt board, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your nomination by 24 September 2008. Candidates must be financial members of the fund and have been with rt for a minimum of 24 months. Nomination forms and details about eligibility and the electoral process are available online at www.rthealthfund.com.au/board.html or by contacting your rt member care team on 1300 886 123. What’s involved in being an rt board member? Being a board member is a rewarding experience but it also comes with great responsibilities and requires a commitment to being actively involved
in the corporate governance of the fund. While the board delegates day-to-day management to the CEO and senior management team, it remains responsible for appointing, reviewing and overseeing the performance of that team. If you plan on nominating for a position on the board, you should also ensure you are fully aware of all the legal responsibilities and potential liabilities of board members as set down by the Corporations Act (2001) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act (2001). For more information, visit www.rthealthfund.com.au/board.html. Every rt member gets to have a say about who sits on the board You might not be interested in a position on the board yourself, but you can have your say about who your board members are. Every rt member has the opportunity to cast a vote in the board elections. On 6 October a pack will be sent to everyone with a fully paid-up membership containing an invitation to the Annual General Meeting (which will be held at the Mercure Hotel, Broadway, Sydney, on Wednesday 29 October 2008) and everything you need to cast your vote.
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
5 The members of your board standing for re-election in 2008
Dennis Ellis has worked with Queensland Rail for 31 years, currently in the position of Pollution Operator. Throughout his career Dennis has been active in the transport industry and is a past Senior Vice President of the RTBU. Dennis has been with rt health fund since 1997 and a member of the board since 2005. He is a member of the board’s Remuneration and Nominations Committee, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Over the past three years, Dennis has been integral to the development of a new board charter, organisational constitution and various other operational and governance policies, and has brokered important strategic relationships for the fund. Dennis is committed to ensuring that the board continues to operate under its new best practice standards of governance and provides support to the CEO, management and staff in helping the fund to achieve its strategic plan goals.
Judith Blake has been involved in the transport industry since 1991 and is currently a Passenger Information Officer with the NSW State Transit Authority, where she has been employed since 1994. Judith has been involved in community work for many years and is currently a volunteer with the Justice of the Peace Association. She has been an rt health fund member since 1996 and a board member since 2005. Judith is a member of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee, a past Deputy Chairperson and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Judith’s vision for rt is to see the fund further consolidate the many improvements that have been introduced to its governance and operations, and to see it grow to become the number one fund serving the needs of all transport and electricity industry employees.
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going to hospital? being prepared can reduce the impact on your health as well as your hip pocket If you have the opportunity, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for a hospital stay so that you don’t encounter any unexpected surprises – whether that’s a bill you weren’t anticipating, or unpleasant side effects from your procedure. Being informed and prepared can also improve your recovery, and even reduce the length of time you have to stay in hospital. It’s a matter of asking the right questions of the different groups involved in your hospital stay: your doctor, your hospital and us!
“ Giving yourself the best possible foundation for recovery will help you get back into normal life sooner.”
Your Doctor Most doctors have limited appointments available – and limited time once you get there – so it’s important to be prepared. Write down all the questions you have for your doctor beforehand and jot notes during your consultation to refer to later. You might even choose to take someone with you to help you take in all the important information. People can often feel uncomfortable about asking too many questions – after all, doctor knows best, right? As patients, we are really not that different to any other consumer, and you have every right to know exactly what treatment you are going to receive, who is going to treat you, when, where and how much it will cost. One of the reasons you have private hospital cover is to give you some control over these decisions. So be prepared and use the cover you have to help you make the right treatment choices for you.
Ask your doctor if there is anything you can do to prepare for your procedure that will help you get back in tiptop condition. There may be exercises, eating plans or other behaviours that will improve your health before and after your procedure, as well as aid in your recovery. For example, it might be helpful to increase your strength and flexibility before a planned joint replacement, or to give up the smokes or drop a few kilos before a cardiac operation. Also make sure to ask your doctor about all the ins and outs of your procedure, what complications can occur, what to expect on the day of your procedure and what to expect afterwards. And don’t be reluctant to ask them about their fees, whether they are prepared to participate in rt’s Access Gap Cover program, and what out-of-pocket costs you might incur. There is a very handy checklist
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7 available on our website that lists all of the questions you should ask your doctor when it comes to understanding how much they’re going to charge you. You should also mention to your doctor that your health fund offers you an early discharge program. This is a new program available to all rt members with hospital cover, and it can see you recovering in the comfort of your own home with all the support you need rather than staying in hospital if your doctor, the hospital, the fund and you all agree that it is in your best interests. Your Hospital Giving the hospital a quick call before your admission is a good idea, it will give you a chance to ask about your upcoming stay and can help to ease the nerves. Ask what you should bring with you (Medicare card, rt membership card, personal items and so on) and if they charge any additional costs that you may not know about. Some hospitals will charge for services such as television hire, newspaper delivery and the like, so find out as much as you can about these additional costs before your stay. Your Health Fund Finally, give us a call before you go into hospital. We can talk to you about what you’ll be covered for,
give you further advice about the questions you might ask your doctor or the hospital, and let you know how all the billing and payments will work. It’ll also give you a chance to find out more about our new early discharge program. This is a free service available to anyone with rt hospital cover and it’s designed to help you reduce the amount of time you have to spend in hospital. By working with your doctor and the hospital we may be able to arrange for you to receive some, or all, of your treatment in your own home. If you choose to participate, and your doctor agrees that it will benefit your recovery, all you need to do is call us. Our interest is in helping members to stay well, and if you are unwell, to get you back on your feet as quickly and comfortably as possible while making as many choices available for you as we can. This ‘hospital substitution’ program is one of the key steps in that process. Having hospital treatment in the home is not appropriate for everyone, but it is definitely worth letting your doctor know that your health fund offers this program. Give us a call on 1300 886 123 to let us know you have a hospital stay coming up and we can give you more information and let you know how to go about participating.
be well. 8
wherever you are in australia, we’ve got you covered
Did you realise that rt is now a national health fund with members in every state and territory? And in order to ensure our members get the very best hospital options we have contracts in place with private hospitals and day surgeries right around the country. In fact, we’ve got you covered in more than 99 per cent of private facilities. So no matter where you live, or where you visit, you’ll find there’s a quality rt-contracted private hospital near you. If you want to know if the hospital that you’re planning to go to is with rt, you can look them up on our website. Visit www.rthealthfund.com.au, click on ‘providers’ and select ‘hospitals’.
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annual private health insurance and lifetime health cover statements Around about this time each year members start checking their mailboxes for their annual private health insurance and lifetime health cover statements.
Where are your statements? Statements were mailed to all members on 14 July. If you haven’t received yours, or if it’s been ‘filed in a safe place’, never to be seen again, this year you can download and print copies direct from our online member services centre. It couldn’t be easier, just visit us at www.rthealthfund.com.au
and click on ‘member login’ at the very top of the screen.
The Private Health Insurance statement is a summary of the contributions you’ve paid and how much Federal Government Rebate you have received (or are entitled to receive) for the financial year just ended. You need this statement to help you complete your tax return. The Lifetime Health Cover statement is a summary of your hospital cover and what your Lifetime Health Cover Loading is, if you have one. This statement is for information only; it’s a good idea to file it with your health cover documents in a safe place. It’s also a good opportunity to make sure you have the best hospital cover for your needs. We keep our hospital cover options pretty simple to make that an easy decision for you. We have: 1. Private Hospital Cover, which covers you as a private patient in a public or private hospital. 2. Fit and Healthy Hospital Cover, (bundled with extras) which keeps your contributions down by excluding some of the things younger people may not need.
3. Basic Hospital Cover, which only covers you for treatment as a private patient in a public hospital. If you’d like to talk to us about your hospital cover, and whether you have the right one for your needs, please call your rt member care team on 1300 886 123 or email us at help@rthealthfund.com.au. Often your needs will change over the years, and it’s an awful realisation that the entry-level hospital cover you took out years ago doesn’t provide you with the cover you need when you’re ready to start a family or as you get older. Please, take a moment to think about your cover and talk to us if you’re not sure whether you have the best one for you.
If you’d like to talk to us about your hospital cover, and whether you have the right one for your needs, please call your rt member care team on 1300 886 123.
stay well. 10
check, please! the health checks men should have regularly Is choosing not to go to the doctor some kind of men’s ‘toughness test’? How often do we hear blokes saying things like, ‘It’s been years since I went to the quack’? Well fellas, it’s time to take a closer look at how well you should be looking after yourselves!
“ …there are a variety of different tests that you need to have routinely to help catch any changes in your body early enough to make a difference.”
Okay, so no one’s pretending that the check ups we need to have to keep track of our health are fun. Some are uncomfortable, some are inconvenient – and some are downright painful and embarrassing. But they are all important and let’s face it, the alternative is usually far worse than any test will ever be. What do you need to know? As well as keeping track of the important numbers in your life (which we look at on page 14), there are a variety of different tests that you need to have routinely to help catch any changes in your body early enough to make a difference. As you get older, the frequency of these tests may change, and depending on your individual circumstances and family history your doctor may want to put you on a different test schedule. From birth Regular skin checks from an early age are important to keep on top of any changes that occur. According
to the Cancer Council NSW, we should be checking for: • Any spot, freckle or mole that’s changed shape, size or colour. • Any new spots, especially if they look different from others around them. • Any dome-shaped lumps or bumps that are new. • Any sores on your skin that just won’t heal. • Any skin spot that makes you concerned. Make a habit of checking your skin and your kids’ skin at least monthly, and get someone to help with the places you can’t see! From puberty Once boys are old enough to start noticing girls, it’s important they have regular checks for testicular cancer. Check for changes in appearance, any lumps, bumps or sore bits. Other symptoms can include pain in the lower abdomen, testicles,
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
11 scrotum and breast tissue (we can call them ‘pecs’ if you prefer!). Early detection leads to early treatment, and testicular cancer is highly curable if caught quickly. Whenever you notice something that isn’t right for you, go and see your GP.
problems. Even if you’re not in a high-risk category, you still need to watch these once you hit a certain age – so discuss your individual needs with your GP.
You also need to know your blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood glucose level. Talk to your GP about whether you’re in a ‘higher’ risk group for diabetes or heart disease, and about the steps you can take to prevent and even reverse these health
Disclaimer This list is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner – merely to provide a guideline for some things you should look out for. Talk to your doctor about your individual needs and remember that the more you know about your body, the better you’ll be able to recognise when something isn’t right.
They say life begins as 40… And so do more regular health checks. Once you celebrate your 40th birthday, the things you’ll need If you’re old enough to vote and drink… …then you’re old enough to have your blood pressure regular checks for include: and weight checked regularly. Watching your blood • Glaucoma pressure is one way of keeping tabs on your vascular • Bowel cancer fitness. Your GP can check your blood pressure easily • Visual impairment and quickly – and it doesn’t even hurt! • Diabetes Because of the high rate of obesity in Australia • Heart disease – 32.6 per cent of adults are now considered • Prostate overweight, and 16 per cent obese – watching Your doctor may feel that there are other checks that your BMI (body mass index), weight and waist are important for you. If you’ve never taken the time measurement is important. Keep track of any to find a good GP and get to know them, do it now. changes, and discuss your optimum weight and A great GP who knows you and your body can often measurements with your doctor. Keeping your mean the difference between a missed diagnosis weight under control is essential for your heart and a great prognosis. and can also help prevent the onset of diabetes.
“ Early detection leads to early treatment, and testicular cancer is highly curable if caught quickly.”
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top fuel – nutrition for boys of all ages Ask any parent of sons and they’ll tell you that the two most important things to boys are food and food. Getting boys to eat isn’t usually a problem, but how do you know if they’re getting enough of the right nutrients throughout their lives?
“ A balanced diet, rich in healthy foods from the five food groups, and low in saturated fats and processed foods is a pretty good place to start.”
Childhood As children, the nutritional needs of boys and girls aren’t that different. A balanced diet, rich in healthy foods from the five food groups, and low in saturated fats and processed foods is a pretty good place to start. Naturally, each kid is different, so if you have any concerns about your child’s nutrition, speak to their GP who will be able to point you in the right direction. Adolescence This is when most boys will experience one of the greatest growth spurts of their life. During this time, the body’s nutritional requirements increase, and many parents start describing their sons as ‘eating machines’! According to Nutrition Australia, the average rate of growth for boys between the ages of 11 and 18 is a whopping 20cm in height and 20kg in weight, resulting in a huge change in their nutritional needs. On average, adolescent boys will need around 2,500-2,800 calories a day –
it’s not usually a problem getting them to consume that many calories, but getting them to derive them from healthy food choices can be. Adulthood In general, men require more calories than women because of their greater muscle mass. Depending on their level of activity, men may also need more proteins, which are essential for building and maintaining muscles. Once you reach adulthood, your height, weight, level of activity and age are used to determine you daily calorie requirements, so they will differ from person to person, and from year to year. Heart health and diabetes Men are more likely to suffer from heart-related conditions and diabetes than women – and the vast majority of these conditions relate to diet. Low salt, low fat, sugar free and low GI foods all make a difference to your health, and it’s better to incorporate them in your normal daily diet, before a health scare makes them your only dietary option.
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Living alone In many families, kitchen duties have traditionally been ‘women’s business’. When a man finds himself living alone (due to divorce or death) he may be unaware of the need to make healthy food choices, and unable to cook healthy meals for himself, or may simply find that it’s just too much trouble to cook properly for one. In this situation, support from family and friends may be needed to ensure that the change in living circumstances does not cause serious nutritional problems. If you have a friend or family member in this boat, ask him around to dinner and find out if he’s looking after himself properly.
Visit these websites for some great nutrition information: www.healthyactive.gov.au (under the ‘healthy eating at various lifestages’ link), www.nutritionaustralia.org (nutrition for all ages), www.nhmrc.gov.au (Australian nutritional guidelines), www.webmd.com also has articles on nutrition and healthy eating.
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more important than a little black book – these numbers might change your life It’s a sad but true fact that more men can tell you the sports scores from the weekend than a few simple numbers that really could change their life.
“ Cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood to your heart.”
So, what are these ‘magic’ numbers and how can they help you? These numbers are not going to make you rich, famous or even more popular … but they are going to help you stick around longer to enjoy more of your life. Keeping track of them means that you’ll be able to tell when things change, and this can lead to early diagnosis of treatable (and reversible) conditions, as well as prevent some nasty surprises. BMI This is your body mass index – if you’re over 18, your BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height squared (m2) So if you’re 70kg and 1.75m tall your BMI is 23 (70kg / [1.75m x 1.75m]). The Monash University Centre for Obesity Research and Education website (www.core.monash.org) uses the following BMI scale:
BMI <18.5 18.5 – 25 25 – 30 Above 30 Above 35 Above 40 Above 50
Underweight Normal Overweight Obese Severely obese Morbidly obese Super-obese
People who are heavily muscled may have a higher BMI, but this may not be a problem – discuss your BMI with your GP to find out what it means for your health. Cholesterol This one can be a bit of a shock because it can have very little to do with how ‘fit’ you are – even elite sportspeople can have high cholesterol. Cholesterol builds up in your blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood to your heart. You can find out what your cholesterol levels are through a simple blood test and if they are too high, there are lifestyle and medication options that will help reduce them.
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
15 Waist measurement Surprisingly, this can have more to do with your health than your weight does. Body fat stored around your middle puts extra strain on your heart and significantly increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. A waist measurement of over 101cm (40 inches) for men (and 87.6cm – 34.5 inches – for women) means that you’re placing yourself at increased risk. 100 calories According to Dr Mehmet Oz (co-author of You: the owner’s manual and You: on a diet) there are three basic things that combine to help you lose excess weight: 1. Consuming 100 fewer calories per day. 2. Increasing activity. 3. Making more nutritious food choices. Cutting more calories than this can cause your metabolism to shut down and cause binge eating, which will actually make you gain weight! Keeping your metabolism firing is essential to shifting those extra kilos. 10,000 steps For an average adult to be considered ‘active’ they need to take a minimum of 10,000 steps (or the equivalent) every day – that’s 8km or around 1 hour
Take the time to familiarise yourself with your numbers, because when your body is trying to Blood pressure tell you something This is how much pressure your blood places on your arteries as it flows around your body and it’ll usually be by the workload it places on your heart. High blood changing one pressure can cause serious health problems, including kidney disease, heart attack or heart failure of them. 40 minutes of walking. Making a conscious effort to achieve 10,000 steps each day can be easier than trying to find the time to actually ‘work out’, but the benefits can be just as great. Visit www.10000steps.org.au for more.
and stroke. Your blood pressure will vary during your life, but having it checked regularly – especially if it tends to be on the high side – is very important. Blood glucose levels (BGL) Your BGL will change during the day, depending on your level of activity and your food intake. A BGL that is consistently high can be a sign of diabetes and can also cause damage to your eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves. A simple blood test is all it takes to monitor this important number. A high BGL can be lowered through diet, exercise and sometimes medication.
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are you helping your medications to help you? Sometimes it’s necessary to take several medications each day – the problem is that unless they are being taken properly, they may not be doing what you need them to.
“ …it’s your body and you’re entitled to be part of the decision about what you put in it each day.”
Did you know that medication comes in many forms? It can include prescription and nonprescription drugs, inhalers, patches, creams, ointments, suppositories, herbal supplements, vitamins, minerals and even things like antacids, eye drops and cough syrup. That’s a lot of things going into your system that you need to keep track of. And although they each may be good for you individually, put them all together and they could work differently, less effectively or even not at all. Popping a pill isn’t always the best solution Sometimes, you are going to need medication, but that doesn’t mean that the best solutions to your health problems are always gong to come from a pill. Sometimes there are alternatives to medicine or things you can do in addition to taking medicine to make it more effective. Taking the time to talk to your doctor about all the possible alternatives is the only way you’re going to find the best option for you. Don’t be afraid to ask about different solutions – it’s your body and you’re entitled to be part of the decision about what you put in it each day.
If, after discussing with your doctor, you decide that medication is the best solution, you’ll need to find out all about how and when to take it, as well as what you should be taking it with. Some medications are really fussy – they don’t like being taken with food, milk, other medications, juice, alcohol, some vitamins or even at certain times of the day. And unless you’re using them in the right way, they aren’t going to help you as much as they should, or even at all. Your prescribing doctor should be able to give you all the information you need about how to take your medicine, but some doctors may assume that you already know, that the pharmacist will tell you, or that you’ll take the time to read the pamphlet with the tiny writing that comes with your prescription. To be sure you have all the information you need, you have to ask for it. Side effects All medications have the potential to cause side effects and some side effects can change when medications are combined. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about all of the possible side effects
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17 (even the really uncommon ones) and let your doctor know if they are affecting you.
How problems occur Problems can start happening for several reasons including: What about things you don’t need to • Not taking medication properly – at the right see a doctor for? times, with the right things, or in the right dosage. While being able to buy certain medicines, vitamins • Forgetting one dose (or even more) and ‘catching and herbal supplements from the supermarket is up’ when the next dose is due. certainly convenient, the problem is that there is no • Not storing medicines properly. one to ask for advice about how to you should be • Changing doctors and not having a complete taking them, and how they’ll interact with your other record of all medicines. medications and each other. Going to a pharmacy for these products gives you the chance to talk to • Forgetting when you started (or stopped) the pharmacist and find out whether they are the taking medication. best option, and even if they’ll be safe for you to • Taking someone else’s medication. Even if they take. If you are ever in any doubt when taking or have the ‘same’ problem as you, it is not safe combining medication see your doctor straight away. to take medication that hasn’t been prescribed for you. Natural is good, right? • Confusion or lack of understanding about It’s easy to assume that something natural is going how to take medicines, especially if English to be good for you, but this isn’t always the case. is a second language. Some vitamins can build up to toxic levels in your body if you exceed the recommended dosage What to do (which can be easy to do if you are taking several Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all of the different supplements at the same time), and some medications you take, remembering that medicines herbal remedies can have an enormous impact on are more than just prescription drugs. Write down how some prescription medications work. So it’s all of the important questions and jot the answers best to talk to your doctor about everything you down so that you don’t forget the details once you take to make sure that it’s okay to take together. get home.
For more information about safely and effectively taking medication, the National Prescribing Service has a fantastic brochure called Medimate, which comes in several different languages. You can view or download a copy at www.nps.org.au and also take a look at a wide range of other resources to help you keep your medicines working for you.
stay well. 18
introducing your prostate – how well do you know each other? Prostate disease is a painful reality for lots of Australian men. Getting to know more about your prostate and how to tell if it’s in trouble can make a huge difference to your quality of life as you get older.
“ When it is inflamed or swollen it puts pressure on the urethra, making going to the toilet painful and difficult.”
Prostate disease is very common in Australian men and is the term used to describe a range of problems affecting the prostate gland. While they’re not always life threatening, they can be very painful and have an enormous impact on quality of life. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder (the organ where urine is stored) and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). When it is inflamed or swollen it puts pressure on the urethra, making going to the toilet painful and difficult. There are several different types of prostate disease, including: Prostatitis which is a viral or bacterial infection of the prostate gland that causes painful swelling and irritation. Prostatitis is treatable, though not always curable. Enlarged prostate (also called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH). This is the most common prostate problem, and as the incidence of it increases with age it is something that nearly
all men will experience. BPH can also be the cause of problems in the lower urinary tract, which can be very painful, but the condition can be treated. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, taking the lives of around 2,700 men in Australia every year – that’s nearly eight beloved blokes every day. It occurs more commonly after the age of 50, but diagnosis before this age is possible especially if there is a family history of the disease. Chances of contracting prostate cancer increase dramatically with each year of life – going from a 1 in 1,000 chance at the age of 40, to 1 in 12 chance by the age of 70. Prostate cancer has virtually no symptoms in its early, curable phase. Prostate-related pain is often the first physical symptom, but unfortunately, by this stage the cancer has often progressed and spread beyond the prostate gland into other organs, bones and lymph nodes, making it more difficult to treat and cure. That’s why it is so important for men to talk to their health professional about prostate health, even
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
19 when they think there’s no need for it. Without regular testing after the age of 50 – and before that if someone in your immediate family has had prostate cancer – the chances of catching it while it’s treatable and contained within the prostate are slim. The only forms of early detection are the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) test. Both of these are relatively simple, yet research conducted by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia in 2002 showed that only 10 per cent of men aged between 50 and 70 had been tested in the previous 12 months, and only 52 per cent of men felt that they were well informed about prostate cancer. That’s 90 per cent of men aged 50 to 70 who have no idea what their prostate is doing. Today there are a range of organisations taking steps to raise awareness and ensure that every man has access to the information he needs. These organisations, including the Ted Whitten Foundation (www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au), the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (www.prostate.org.au) and the Movember Foundation (www.movember.com.au), have turned the tables on the traditional male attitude to healthcare, making it clear that ‘real men’ care about themselves and their families enough to take care of their health.
“ …’real men’ care about themselves and their families enough to take care of their health.”
feel well. 20
not talking about it won’t make it go away It’s embarrassing, really. Something that blokes don’t like to talk to each other about, let alone discuss with their doctors. But when things ‘down there’ aren’t working, the way they should it can actually be a sign of more serious problems.
“ …did you know that erectile dysfunction could be a symptom of a more serious health problem...”
What a ‘reluctant riser’ can mean for your health Erectile dysfunction is something that will affect around one in five men over the age of 50 at some time, and it becomes more common with every decade. So while not many men are talking about it, lots of men are certainly living with it. But did you know that erectile dysfunction could be a symptom of a more serious health problem and not just a problem in itself?
There are many physical and psychological issues that can cause problems with erectile function and some of them involve serious health issues. Some of the problems that erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of include: • Depression • Diabetes • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • Renal problems • Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries, leading to heart disease and possible heart attack) • Trauma to the spinal cord or pelvis • Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease Emotional and mental state also plays an integral role, so stress, relationship problems, financial and employment pressures, and mental illness can also be part of the problem. And of course, once it happens the first time, performance anxiety can also occur.
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
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“ it would be a rare man who could honestly say at the end of his life that he had never been affected.”
Can it be prevented? Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed prevention, but because diabetes, heart-related issues, excessive alcohol and smoking can cause erectile dysfunction, making lifestyle changes to decrease the impact of these elements and improve your overall health and wellbeing can make a difference. When to get help Irregular instances or episodes are not that uncommon – it would be a rare man who could honestly say at the end of his life that he had never been affected. It’s when the problem becomes recurrent or worrying that further help should be sought. Unfortunately, there are companies out there that take advantage of men not wanting to discuss this issue with their GP, advertising solutions you can access with a degree of anonymity and without necessarily looking into the causes behind the problem. Talking to a GP might seem daunting, but your doctor is the first person you need to see. If he or she can’t help you, they will be able to refer you to a specialist who can.
stay well. 22
Call to Arms – helping men tackle cancer From June to August 2008, the Cancer Council is running a special campaign targeting men’s cancer research, education and awareness.
“ The Call to Arms campaign encourages sporting teams to register and have their players wear a yellow armband to show their support for this important cause.”
One in two Australian men will be diagnosed with cancer at some time in their lives. That means that half of the guys you know could one day hear those five devastating words – ‘I’m sorry, you have cancer’. The only way to stop this from happening is to ensure that enough research can be done to discover a preventive vaccine or a cure. Several football clubs from different codes across the country have put aside their differences to band together and help the Cancer Council tackle cancer.
The Call to Arms campaign encourages sporting teams to register and have their players wear a yellow armband to show their support for this important cause. Clubs which have registered can then organise different fundraising events which both club members and the general public will be able to participate in, with funds raised going toward research, education and support programs for men’s cancer.
To register your club as a Call to Arms partner, arrange a fundraising event, or to make a donation to the cause, visit www.calltoarms.com.au. When you’re there, you’ll also be able to take a look at which teams and events you can support as they take up the Call to Arms and work towards tackling cancer.
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
23 Australian Financial Review Smart Investor magazine names rt one of the ‘nation’s best-value health funds’
After analysing more than 140 different covers from Australia’s 38 private health funds, Smart Investor says rt’s Private Hospital + Extras Cover, and Fit and Healthy Cover are among the top-ranking plans on offer today.
pretty cool, huh?
and remember,
because you’re an rt health fund member, your immediate family are also eligible to join themselves even though they may not work in transport or electricity. So do them a favour and introduce them to rt’s great value health covers today!
rt in the community. 24 “ For such a tiny little girl, Jasmine has an enormous fighting spirit and has faced down the challenges that her condition has thrown her way...”
rt in the community Families Foundation Update The rt Families Foundation has recently made two new grants. The first of these went to a special lady who has been an rt member since 1968. She suffers from cardiac failure secondary to amyloidosis and experiences great difficulty breathing when lying flat in bed. The grant will go toward the purchase of an electric adjustable bed for her, which means she will be able to breathe a little easier at night. The second grant went to a very special little girl, Jasmine Clingan. Jasmine is four years old and has Mulibrey Nanism. She is believed to be the only person in Australia, and one of only around 113 people worldwide, with this type of dwarfism, which produces symptoms that affect the muscles, liver, brain and eyes, and occasionally causes Wilms Tumors. For such a tiny little girl, Jasmine has an enormous fighting spirit and has faced down the challenges that her condition has thrown her way, including beating multiple tumors affecting her kidneys, liver, heart and lungs.
Jasmine is currently in remission, and her family can now concentrate on finding out as much as they can about her very unusual condition, even going as far as America this year to attend a the magic Foundation Convention where they will be able to spend time with other families and children living with the condition, and take advantage of being able to consult with specialists in the field, learning as much as possible about how they make Jasmine’s future brighter. The Families Foundation is thrilled to offer some assistance to Jasmine and her family with a grant to go toward helping with her school expenses when she starts kindergarten next year. We are also working toward having her optometry and any associated eyewear that she may need provided on a pro bono basis thanks to our friends at Teachers Federation Health, which has offered to provide Jasmine’s eye care needs through its own optometry centre. You can find out more about Jasmine’s story at www.jasminesjourney.com.
the newsletter for rt health fund members | winter 2008
25 Happy 50th Redbank Workshop! Sunday 6 July marked the 50th anniversary of the Queensland Rail Redbank Workshop. We were proud to be invited to join in the celebrations, and decided to turn our area into a representation of our ‘arts and hearts’ theme from the Autumn issue of be well. We had a Kid’s Corner with colouring competitions, face painting, balloons, Trevor and Bertie temporary tattoos and even helped the kids make their own rt health fund ‘healthy food trivia chatterboxes’, which was loads of fun! For the grown-ups, there was a Wellbeing Corner with aromatherapy, seated massage and wonderfully crunchy apples to snack on, and a Healthy Hearts Corner, complete with blood pressure checks, pilates, and fitball classes hosted by Resultz Personal Fitness. Everyone had a chance to ‘get their groove on’ with demonstrations and classes compliments of Dancing Tiger belly dancers, Voce Bella singers – and the Fitness Fairy put in an appearance to get the kids dancing too! Our artist-in-residence on the day, Kylie Nenadich, completed two wonderful sketches of rail images, one of which will be presented to QR Redbank. You’ll be able to see the other on display in our Brisbane office very soon.
All in all, it was a wonderful day, marking a truly remarkable anniversary for QR’s Redbank Workshop and we were thrilled to be there to help celebrate.
“ if I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself” Leon Eldred