In Balance NT - Meghan Williams

14/10/2025

To check your breasts, get familiar with their normal look and feel by visually inspecting them in a mirror for changes in shape or size, and then feel them using a systematic pattern with your fingertips. When feeling, use light, medium, and firm pressure to check the entire breast area, from the collarbone to the abdomen and under your arms, looking for any lumps, thickening, or other changes. It's helpful to check regularly, such as in the shower or while lying down, and to see a doctor for any changes you notice.

In front of a mirror
Stand with your arms relaxed at your sides and look for changes in shape, size, and skin appearance.
Raise your arms overhead and repeat the visual inspection. This can help reveal changes that might not be as obvious when your arms are down.
Place your hands on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles, again looking for any changes.

While lying down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head.
Use the pads of your left hand to feel your right breast with light, medium, and firm pressure. Move in small circular motions, covering the entire breast and armpit area.
Gently squeeze the ni**le to check for discharge.
Repeat these steps for your left breast.

In the shower or bath
Use your right hand to feel your left breast, and vice versa.
With a lathered hand, use the pads of your fingers to feel your entire breast, moving in a systematic pattern like circles or up and down, from the collarbone to underneath the breast and into the armpit.

What to look for and feel for
Any new lumps or thickening.
Changes in the size, shape, or skin appearance of the breast or ni**le.
A ni**le that has changed position or is inverted.
Redness, swelling, rash, or puckering of the skin.
Any unusual pain or unusual discharge from the ni**le.

What to do next
Get to know your breasts so you can recognize what is normal for you.
If you find any new lump or notice any other changes, see a doctor to get it evaluated as soon as possible.
Regular mammograms and clinical exams are also important parts of breast cancer screening.

12/10/2025

ARE YOU UP-TO-DATE with your breast health?
MONTHLY - self-breast checks.
GP - breast checks
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mammogram - FREE in Australia from your 40th birthday.
BREASTSCREEN 13 20 50

12/10/2025

10/10/2025

Hi everyone, Shaz, a PhD student researching the psychological impact of a lipoedema diagnosis in Australian women. She created a 60-second animation about my research, which won the Visualise Your Thesis final (and People's Choice Award) for Swinburne Uni. She is now a finalist in the Visualise Your Thesis International Showcase being held this month.

From 8-15 October, the animation with the most views will win the Trending on VYT award. Please watch (and share the link if you like)! This is just another way we can raise the profile of lipoedema in the general community!

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30134602.v1

Thanks,on behslf of
Shaz x

Finalist - Visualise Your Thesis 2025 International Competition

31/08/2025

20/08/2025

A powerful Description of being autistic by Ava

12-year-old secondary school student Ava won a national poetry competition with her entry about living with autism

You can read her winning ‘Power of Poetry’ entry below:

“Take a seat and sit with me

I want to talk about ASD

If you don't mind I'd like to explain

A little thing called autism and how it affects my brain

It can make me anxious, angry and afraid

But this stays in my head, on my face it's not displayed

I may seem heartless and question your meanings

But it takes me a little longer to process the feelings

Take a seat and sit with me I want to show you ASD

A girl sitting quietly is all you see

But inside my mind I am far from free

My thoughts collide, my senses take over

I become overwhelmed by the smallest sound

Clicking pens, ticking clocks

That boy's chair and the way it rocks

All different smells attacking me

The perfumes, the coffee, the teacher's tea

Take a seat and sit with me

But not too close, I have ASD

I try to be social, I try to fit in

I come across rude, I can never win

I am very literal and straight to the point

If you want the truth I won't disappoint

When my brain is overloaded I sometimes lash out

My control fades, I scream and shout

I get confused and it all spills out

Intense emotions all trapped inside

Finally have nowhere to hide

Take a seat and sit with me I want to tell you about ASD

Please understand I am not to blame I've just got an atypical brain

But it's not all doom and gloom

I'm often the sportiest girl in the room

I'm quirky, unique, kind and caring

I'm loyal, protective and always sharing

I'm obsessed with frogs and all things green

I'm the youngest trendsetter you've ever seen

Take a seat and sit with me

I am Ava, I am me

I'm not just my label of ASD.”

17/08/2025

Have the kind of week that makes you want to sing joyfully no matter where you are!

13/08/2025

Did You Know?

Skin irritation may occur while you are receiving eternal radiation.
Radiation can have a cumulative effect on the treated skin and tissues.
Redness and skin breakdown may worsen in the latter part of treatment, but you can be reassured that it recovers within a few weeks after treatment. Some people may continue to experience swelling in the radiation treated area for many months after completion of radiation, and this may require lymphoedema therapy.

You may be advised to use gentle moisturisers on the affected area tread by radiation; it is best to wear natural fibres (e.g. cotton) for breathability and to avoid friction on the irritated skin. For breast cancer patients, a cotton singlet can be worn under a bra to reduce friction from bra seams.

It may be wise to avoid vigorous arm or shoulder stretches in the latter stages of radiation if your treated skin is at risk of splitting or tearing.

Navigating Lymphoedema – Dr Teresa Lee

Feel free to speak to your therapist about suitable moisturisers

10/08/2025

45 years ago in February 1980 ( I must have started my Nursing at the age of 5 lol) i was in my first year of Registered Nurse Training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. The Alfred Hospital Nursing Archives have been selling dolls dressed in various uniforms of the time. I purchased this one as she is wearing the exact style of uniform I wore the the collar, cuffs, cap and apron all starched so that they were like cardboard. You had to soften the edges by using soap and a bit of water or your neck etc would be rubbed raw after just one shift. Uniforms didn’t modernise until at least 5-8 years after I left I think.
Feel free to share a photo of your old work uniform in a comment below if you have one, and brighten everyone’s day

10/06/2025

This is Lipedema Awareness Month. Clinicians need be aware that although lipedema usually initially presents in the lower extremities, it may progress to other parts of the body, as lipedema patients will tell you, and as shown in this diagram taken from the Lipedema Foundation's "First Look" report (2022).