Women's wellness

Improving the lives of women with IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing disorder of the gut that affects both men and women of all ages. People with IBS commonly experience abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habit, which can negatively impact their quality of life. In the episode, Professor Debra Anderson talks to two health professionals in New Zealand – Dr Bobbi Laing from the University of Auckland and Nikki Hart, a Registered Nutritionist, who have developed the Women’s Wellness with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Program, to support women with IBS and to help them enjoy a better quality of life.

Women's wellness for Māori and Pasifika women with Type 2 Diabetes

In this episode, Professor Debra Anderson talks to three inspirational women who are changing the trajectory of Māori and Pasifika women's health in Australia. Joined by Dr Heena Akbar from the University of Queensland, Violet Langan a Fijian Community Elder and Community Engagement and Empowerment Leader at Kingdom Community Life Care and Winnie Niumata, a registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator who works as a clinical nurse navigator for Maori & Pacific Islander communities with Queensland Health for Metro South Health – the women discuss why type 2 diabetes is a significant health problem among Australian Pacific Islander women and their communities and how the 24-week Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness program is culturally tailored to support Pasifika women and their families to improve their health outcomes and quality of life.

Why women need to talk about type 2 diabetes

Kicking off a new series of discussions, Professor Debra Anderson is joined by Professor Jackie Sturt from Kings College London to discuss women's wellness with type 2 diabetes. In this conversation, Jackie gives us an insight into some of the latest research that is helping to inform the development of intervention programs to improve the health and wellbeing of women living with type 2 diabetes.

How finding her tribe helped Amanda Lehane on her cancer journey

In this episode, Professor Debra Anderson talks to Amanda Lehane – a mum of two from Brisbane, who in 2019 was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue Sarcoma after noticing a lump in her groin. Not long after receiving this diagnosis, Amanda was also diagnosed with breast cancer. In this powerful episode, Amanda shares her story and explains how lost, alone and overwhelmed she felt when she was diagnosed with cancer and how she navigated this difficult time. Amanda also talks to us about the power of social connection during and after cancer treatment and how building the right networks around you can help get you back on your feet.

Why women need to talk about menopause, sexuality, intimacy and cancer

In this episode, Professor Debra Anderson is joined by Dr Janine Porter-Steel and Leonie Young from the Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre to discuss menopause and cancer and sexuality, intimacy and cancer. Debbie and Janine discuss how some cancer treatments can affect younger women in relation to menopause, how to best manage symptoms and the importance of discussing sexuality and intimacy during cancer treatment. Leonie shares her lived-experience as a young woman who was diagnosed with cancer and talks about the importance of involving consumers in research.