Speaking of wasting Government money

[*crikey*mate*]

I just collected a package from the post office from the Australian Government (that's what it said on the envelope) It was addressed to my OH - it had all this informational stuff in it about bowel cancer.

Yeah, yeah, keeping people informed etc - but the postage alone must have been $3 plus the cost of whatever was in the package (it was A4 and chockers and I reckon must have only made the 20mm thick rule by a cat's whisker) and the wage of the person who had to correlate it all and pack it.

But it was specifically addressed to him, so there is a system somewhere deciding who gets these packages.

My OH has no history of cancer, so why they picked him out I have no idea.

Wonder how many other people got these and how much this drained the coffers.

Sure, keep people informed etc, but I reckon I could think of a few less expensive ways to do it.

[cherry*135]

well I know that once I reach 50 I'm supposed to get breast screening done every two years and once you become "active" you're supposed to get a pap smear every two years - Do we get kits in the mail for those too?

Obviously a bowel cancer test involves collecting and testing a small sample, which can be done at home with test kit supplied and posted back to a lab.

The other tests you mention up there can't be done by mail order.

[cherry*135]

Screening is important because bowel cancer can develop without any early warning symptoms.

[debra9275]

People are ultimately responsible for their own health, but there is nothing wrong with encouraging tests when symptoms are obscure and knowledge maybe limited.

[joz*garage]

joz - have you got a medicare card, with correct address details held for it?

noo, just checked the card was valid up 2000, that was before i shifted to this address, no wonder i hadnt recieved a test yet

[*crikey*mate*]

crikey, we all know how slack men are with taking care of their health, even if this testing saves 1 in 19  people it's worth it. How many women on CS bother to have regular pap smears and mammograms I wonder?

Australia has the world’s highest incidence of bowel cancer - On average one in 19 Australian men and one in 27 Australian women will develop colorectal cancer by the age of 75 years.  Age is an important factor.  The risk begins at age 40, doubling every 5 years until age 60 and even more rapidly as the person gets older

.
Statistics show 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully cured if detected at an early stage.  Early detection leads to an improved prognosis and less severe treatment.

i got no problem with the testing, I thought the package was just an informational thing - I didn't know it had the test in it too.

But you are right - even if only one in 19 people actually use it, it's better than none.

so now I wonder, if my OH has got bowel cancer, and seeing as his test has been posted two years late, can he sue the government like that obese man tried to sue his doctor for not referring him to the obesity clinic?

disclaimer - I am not serious - I am kidding - I still think people should be responsible for their own health and not need to be babysat - next thing they'll be offering people money or free biscuits to take the test. We got Mars Bars at the blood donation place a few months ago LOL

[*crikey*mate*]

well I know that once I reach 50 I'm supposed to get breast screening done every two years and once you become "active" you're supposed to get a pap smear every two years - Do we get kits in the mail for those too?

Obviously a bowel cancer test involves collecting and testing a small sample, which can be done at home with test kit supplied and posted back to a lab.

The other tests you mention up there can't be done by mail order.

OK, so do we get reminders in the mail about those?

I know I get reminders from my dentist every 6 months, but I suspect that's more about revenue raising than genuine concern for the health of my teeth!

[*crikey*mate*]

noo, just checked the card was valid up 2000, that was before i shifted to this address, no wonder i hadnt recieved a test yet

OMG? You haven't been to a doctor or needed medicine in 13 years?

whatever lifestyle choices you're making obviously work!

[cherry*135]

OK, so do we get reminders in the mail about those?

Yes, for mammograms. Not sure about other, perhaps Dr reminds patients when they see them or send out notices.

I know I get reminders from my dentist every 6 months, but I suspect that's more about revenue raising than genuine concern for the health of my teeth!

Yes.. more concerned to get a few customers rolling in regularly to add to the coffers. However, I took no notice of the last few reminders, went last week and have a bit of work that needs doing. I wish I did take notice.

[joz*garage]

OMG? You haven't been to a doctor or needed medicine in 13 years?

whatever lifestyle choices you're making obviously work!

yeah possibly longer, apart from sorting out my dentures once and for all about a year ago or so.

dont see a quack if i get the flue either, just weather it out, got one right now but im close to fully recovering from it.

might take the odd panadole only if i develope a headche...and that doesnt happen as much as it used to

[cherry*135]

Better get a new one joz... don't want to miss out on test kits in the mail.

I got a new medicare card in the mail yesterday. It still has my two children on it.. the eldest will be 30yo by the time it expires. I want them off my card, they have their own.