Prevention- The flu vaccine

Much of the illness and death caused by the influenza virus can be prevented by the annual influenza vaccination. Many individuals still do not have the knowledge or understand the importance or how to get the vaccine and also because at times, stocks can run out of the vaccine. There have been many miss-understandings of the vaccine in the public eye. The vaccine is given each year by an injection. People who are at high risk of getting the influenza virus are strongly recommended to get annual vaccination. These groups of people include:

· Aged over 65

· Chronic respiratory disease

· Chronic heart disease

· Chronic kidney disease

· Chronic liver disease

· Diabetes

· Chronic neurological disease

· Immunosuppression illness

High risk groups also include those working in public sector areas or those in contact with a number of different groups of people, for example : health care workers, those living in close proximity to others, gym environments, air conditioned areas or working.

The vaccine needs to be given each year, this is due to the clever fact that the virus changes continually by mutating. Therefore, each year, the vaccine changes according to the most up to date virus that is present. Also, once a person receives the vaccine, the effectiveness of the vaccine, reduces over time in an individual.

The vaccine should be taken around September of each year and it takes approximately 2 weeks for the beneficially effects of the vaccine to develop.

Care Quality Commision Approved and Registered

Galen Health Partners

Ovarian Screening

Below is information on your ovaries and ovary disease

Screening of ovarian cancer should take place in all women with any of the above signs or symptoms or in women with a strong family history of cancers. A good screening method would be to see a doctor to have a detailed history taking and examination followed by blood tests to look for hormone markers and also the cancer tumour marker called CA125. Imagining with ultrasound will also be used to visualise the ovaries and any masses within them.

The signs include,

· abdominal pains,

· menstruation irregularities,

· bloating feeling in the abdomen.

· Late signs would include urine symptoms, painful sexual intercourse, back pains, lack of appetite, weight loss and tiredness.

A family history of ovarian cancer and certain other cancers in the family can also put someone at high risk, for example breast cancer.

Ovarian cancer affects 6,800 women each year in Britain and only 30 per cent survive beyond five years - one of the lowest rates in Europe and one which has not improved in three decades.

The survival rate rises to 90 per cent among those

Every year, 6,600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK and only 30 per cent survive beyond five years . The survival rate rises to 90 per cent among those who are diagnosed and treated early. The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be extremely vague and difficult to pick up and that is why screening is so important.

A recent article in the Mail On Line highlighted the high miss-diagnosis rates in women with ovarian cancer symptoms as general abdominal pains and irritable bowel syndromes.