UPDATE ON RESEARCH 

Satisfied with your libido?

No Matter Where You Are, We Need You!

Having completed many studies involving women of all ages, we are aware of the huge percentage of women suffering with sexual problems and the disastrous effects these can have on a woman's self confidence, relationship with her partner and ultimately her state of mind. 

Vast numbers of women across Australia endure symptoms such as low libido and reduced sexual pleasure every day and many do so in silence believing it is just their lot and something they will have to live with. The truth is, in many cases there are treatments that can help if a woman's specific needs can be identified. A woman's sexuality is complex and is affected by many factors, including knowledge, environment, cultural and religious beliefs, relationship with her partner and also by her health and hormonal status. The condition of decreased sexual function in women has only been recognised in recent years and, as such, it is important that we find ways of determining the different influential factors and develop methods to improve medical care in this area.

We have therefore developed a questionnaire that would provide a valuable tool that could then be used during research studies and in general practice to give doctors insight into a woman's specific needs so that the best treatment available can be provided. Before it can be put to general use we need to complete a study to validate the new questionnaire. 

To do this we need your help! 

So a comparison can be made, we are currently seeking women who are satisfied with their libido. So, if you are between 18 and 65, sexually active at least twice a month and you are happy with your sex life, this is your chance to do something for the hundreds of women who aren't. The study simply involves completing a daily sexual activity diary and a few questionnaires over one month. It will only take up two minutes out of your day. The study can be completed by correspondence so no matter where you are in Australia you can take part. 

For information, please call Samantha at The Jean Hailes Research unit on (03) 9543 9463 or email your name and phone number to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH 

The Jean Hailes Foundation Research Unit is enabling eligible women throughout the Australian community, who have the approval and support of their doctors, to participate in the ATLAS breast cancer and tamoxifen duration study. 

ATLAS IS ADDRESSING THE QUESTION: Should women who have had breast cancer be treated with tamoxifen for more than 5 years? 

ATLAS IS COMPARING 10 YEARS OF TAMOXIFEN TREATMENT WITH TREATMENT FOR 5 YEARS. 

The outcome of the study will establish whether the longer treatment with tamoxifen will further improve survival of women following initial treatment for breast cancer. Australian women are responding to this opportunity to join with other women, worldwide, to participate in ATLAS. The study is providing these women with the opportunity to have a voice in the future of those women who are presently at risk of developing breast cancer (which could include their daughters). 

MORE ELIGIBLE WOMEN ARE NEEDED

If you have been taking tamoxifen for about 5 years, following breast cancer, are now clinically free of cancer and you, and your treating doctor, are uncertain whether you should continue taking tamoxifen beyond about 5 years, then you could consider ATLAS. 

• There are no tests or extra visits required. 

• You would remain in the care of your treating doctor. 

• Your further treatment, to stop or continue tamoxifen after taking it for about 5 years, would be randomly allocated. This means that you would have an equal chance of either being allocated to stop or to continue tamoxifen (there is not a placebo used in the study). 

If you have been taking tamoxifen for about 3 to less than 5 years, you can be registered for possible, future participation in ATLAS. You and your doctor would be contacted at your 5- year treatment time so that you could both further consider ATLAS then. Eligible women are invited to contact The Jean Hailes Foundation's Research Unit for further ATLAS information on 1800 809 517 (tollfree). Or visit www.jeanhailes.org.au 

ATLAS is coordinated in Australia by the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group. 

ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER DEPEND ON RESEARCH

UPDATE ON MEDICAL CENTRE 

The Jean Hailes Medical Centre For Women 

Leaving... 
The Jean Hailes Foundation bids farewell to Pam Fradkin and Sue Wigg. After many years in general practice, the last few at The Jean Hailes Medical Centre, Pam Fradkin has decided to retire and Sue Wigg, an Endocrinologist, is moving to New South Wales. Both Pam and Sue's commitment to women's health has been outstanding and both staff and clients will miss their dedication, humour and kindness. We wish them well with their new pursuits. 

Welcome back to... 
Mandy Deeks, Psychologist, who is returning from maternity leave. 

The Jean Hailes Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Clinic 

The Jean Hailes Foundation and Medical Centre for Women take immense pride in developing initiatives that respond to the needs of women in the community. 

Commencing December 4th 2002 
Open Wednesday evenings 5.00pm - 9.00pm - by appointment 

Specialising in 

• Diabetes assessment, management and follow up 

• Gestational diabetes (pregnancy) 

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome 

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

Why are we opening a Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Clinic? 

This new addition to our services for women is in direct response to enormous demand in the community as evidenced in the facts from Diabetes Australia, listed below. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women. Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and, in many cases, is directly related to lifestyle and weight issues affecting women at midlife. Effective diabetes management requires an integrated approach between general practitioners, specialists and allied health professionals. The diabetes nurse educator is an essential link, providing education and feedback, thus empowering women to become actively involved in their own management. It is hoped that The Jean Hailes Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Clinic will give women and their health professionals another avenue for managing a major Australian health concern. 

Opening this new clinic will enable us to offer a wider range of management options for women within a multidisciplinary team approach. This means that you, as a client, are treated as a 'whole' person, not just for a 'symptom' that you may present with. You can be confident that your lifestyle, culture, values and beliefs, nutrition and anything else that makes you unique, will be taken into consideration in your management. 

Our multidisciplinary team includes Endocrinologists, Diabetes Nurse Educator, Weight Management Specialist, Physiotherapist and Dietician, whom you can access on site. The Diabetes and Cardiovascular Clinic will be available for women of all ages. A referral will be necessary on the first visit. 

The Foundation is delighted that this initiative has been developed and will be coordinated by Specialist Endocrinologists, Carolyn Allen and Kati Matthiesson, Diabetes Nurse Educator, Jenny Szymanski and Medical Centre Director, Sue Reddish.

New for next year… 

Commencing in March 2003 

You will be able to join in a group workshop, run by Physiotherapist Margaret Sherburn, to learn how to manage continence and/or osteoporosis. Both workshops will practical tips and guidelines on pelvic floor exercises weight bearing exercise. It is planned that these workshops will run on a regular basis. For more information please call The Jean Hailes Medical Centre for Women on (03) 9562 7555.

PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE SUPPORT GROUP

Recommended Website www.pofsupport.org

Premature Ovarian Failure (often called Premature or Early Menopause) is an endocrine disorder affecting women under 40, causing infertility and menopause symptoms. This website contains a wealth of information and support, designed to help you learn about POF, stay up to date with the latest research, meet other women with POF, take control of your health care and guide you through the various aspects of living with premature ovarian failure.

NEW LOOK WEB 

Creating and maintaining an up to date, highly informative and responsible health website is something that The Jean Hailes Foundation takes very seriously. The Jean Hailes website has proven to be an important resource for people wishing to find out about seminars, research projects and medical information and it is also a well used resource for GPs. Also, it is often a first introduction to our services for people who live in rural and remote areas of Australia, as well as used internationally. 

The website has grown in size as The Foundation has grown. This has been a good thing, but it has meant that the website hasn't necessarily grown in the most user friendly manner. The website went through an update about 18 months ago, giving it a fresh look and easier accessibility to finding information. But, as The Foundation continued to grow, it became apparent that the information could be presented in a more logical sequence and so we have undergone an exciting, dynamic and refreshing website update, that not only includes fresh colours but lists the information by topic rather than which section of The Foundation it falls under. 

Finding information is as easy as opening the front page and clicking on a topic or typing a word into the search function.

 The Jean Hailes Foundation is also proud to announce that its website has achieved "Health on the Net Foundation (HON)" status. This is a gold standard endorsement of our website by the widely recognised international, not-for-profit, Swiss HON organisation and The Jean Hailes Foundation is bound by the HON Code of Conduct Principles. 

We hope that you have many hours of happy surfing on our new look, updated website. We are happy to receive your comments and suggestions. www jeanhailes.org.au.

Privacy Statement 

Due to recent changes in Australian privacy laws your permission is required for The Jean Hailes Foundation to continue sending you information about our activities. You will continue to receive information unless you indicate otherwise. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, or would like to make changes or additions to your contact details, please contact us on 03 9562 6771 (1800 151 441 tollfree).

The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended that The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health professional. The Jean Hailes Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of information or advice) which is provided in this magazine or incorporated into it by reference. Information is provided on the basis that all persons reading the magazine undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. 

© The Jean Hailes Foundation. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under copyright legislation, no part may be reproduced or reused for any commercial purposes.

Note: This article is an archive. Whilst the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has made every effort to ensure this information was accurate at the time of publication, the article content has not been updated since the date listed below.

Content December 07, 2002