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dna

Cancer stinks! You can help by going pink!

In Australia this year, it is estimated that around 50000 people will die from some form of cancer, making it one of the leading causes of death in our country. In 2019, it is estimated that over 78000 males and over 66000 females will be diagnosed with cancer.


\"\"This June, cancer is firmly in the limelight, but in a good way, with three awareness and fundraising campaigns kicking off.
Cancer Research Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and one of the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s major fundraisers Go Pink!

Cancer Research Awareness Month aims to raise funds for young cancer researchers. Australia boasts a wealth of emerging cancer research scientists, and without them, cancer and many other diseases will never be cured.


\"\"Bowel cancer kills more than 100 Australians each week, but luckily, if detected early, is one of the most easily treatable forms of the disease. Like most forms of cancer, it does not discriminate, affecting men, women, and children.


From 3-9 June, brush off your best fairy floss colored finery, and dress in pink to honor and support thousands of families throughout Australia who has been affected by breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s aim is to have zero breast cancer deaths by 2030, and your donation and fundraiser participation will go a long way achieving this.

GTL will be looking pretty in pink this month, in support of these three amazing initiatives and would like to promote their cancer-related DNA tests, for that added boost in fighting this devastating disease.
We all know that cancer is the most common genetic disease in humans, and some people have an increased risk of certain cancers resulting from a strong family history of the disease.
Now you can gain an understanding of their own genetic risk of hereditary cancers, with the Cancer Panel Predisposition Test. Analyzing more than 130 different genes that are closely associated with a number of hereditary cancers, this panel test also screens for the most common cancer-causing mutations.

Targeting a potential risk early provides peace of mind, and increases the chance of successful treatment. This screening test requires a simple medical blood draw, but does require genetic counseling from a certified professional, and must be handled by your general practitioner.

The Ordering Process – Simple

Undertaking your test is as easy as;

  • Order – Choose your test and order it online.
  • Pay – Pay for your test and any extras you require.
  • Sample Collection – When GTL receives your order, we will send you the referral forms via email. Your doctor or counselor will complete these and return to us for approval.
    Once approved, a sample collection kit will be sent out, as well as a list of our Pathology Collection Centres. GTL will organize your appointment, as well as book the courier to collect your samples for return to us.
  • Results – Receive your results in a quick timeframe. Results will be sent directly to your doctor, who will discuss them with you. (within 10-14 working days of receiving samples)

Now that your June plans are sorted, it’s time to gather your friends and family, dig out your best pink threads, and either host or attend a fundraiser, donate to cancer research, or organise your Cancer Panel Predisposition Test from GTL. Together we can all make a difference, and help to beat all types of cancer.

These are three great ways that we can all contribute

GTLDNA test

I like to move it, move it! Step up to a new view on exercise to suit you.

We’ve all done it. Bought that fancy new piece of gym equipment, only to have it sit there, gathering dust or being a glorified and expensive clothes hanger that never gets used for its intended purpose.
For many of us, regular exercise has become a ‘sometimes thing’ as opposed to a regular occurrence in our lives. We’re tired, it might rain, we’ll get sweaty, there’s something on Netflix that we need to watch; our excuses are endless!

\"Health\"

Some of us may ask, ‘Is my hatred of working up a sweat in the gym genetic?’ A recent study by the University of Missouri suggests that people who love running may be genetically disposed to doing so. Data collected from the study of two groups of rats revealed that some humans may have genes geared for motivation to exercise, and others may have genes geared for sitting on the couch watching that essential Netflix program.

Obviously, getting up and moving, or sitting around being sedentary are largely choices we make, but for those of us who want to optimize our diet and lifestyle based on our genetic makeup, GTL can help. Using your DNA to find the right exercise for your way of life, the Nutrifit Premium test is the first step towards a fitter, healthier and happier you.  The NutriFit Premium test uses Next Generation Sequencing Technology coupled with leading bioinformatics and modern scientific research to help you take the first important step in becoming a fitter, healthier version of your current self. A simple saliva swab is all that is required from you, and in around 4-6 week you will receive a suite of results, based on your genetic makeup.

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As well as a host of other reports related to nutrition and lifestyle, you will receive 13 sports reports, which provide comprehensive information on which sports and physical activities are best suited to you. After you’ve looked over your results, you can start your course of action to get active, and what better place to start than with Exercise Right Week!

Exercise Right Week 2019, runs from 20-26 May and is an initiative of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). With a mission to ‘lead and promote excellence in exercise and sports science for the benefits of society and the professions’, ESSA’s vision is ‘to enhance performance, health, and well-being through the science of exercise and sport.’

Exercise Right Week aims to encourage all Australians of all abilities to become more active and healthier, and to exercise in a way that matches their specific needs, skills and capabilities.
Not everyone can be an ultra-marathon runner, just as not everyone can be a gymnast, but everyone can find a physical activity that matches their interest, ability, age, and lifestyle.
The benefits of regular exercise cannot be disputed, and have both short and long term positive effects. These can include weight management, improved cardiovascular health, a decrease in blood pressure, a lower risk of a number of diseases, including Type 2 Diabetes, not to mention an increase in energy, better quality sleep, and improved mental health.

There are many events planned throughout Australia during Exercise Right Week, from large scale group exercise classes to free health assessments conducted by ESSA accredited exercise physiologists, exercise scientists, and sports scientists. The Exercise Right Week website has a comprehensive, state by state list of events.

There is no doubt about the benefits of exercise, be it an amble with the dog each afternoon, or participating in a triathlon. Getting your genes jumping and your DNA dancing with GTL, and meeting like-minded people to share your new found passion with during Exercise Right Week are great ways to kick goals for your health future.


GTL DNA

Hooray for Double Helix: Celebrating DNA Day

We all love a good celebration, and every week it seems there is a birthday, an anniversary or some other milestone to remember.
Even the science world has a special day to celebrate! April 25 is DNA Day, and like the name suggests, recognises advances in DNA research, and marks the day that a ground-breaking paper on this amazing molecular key was first published.
James Watson and Francis Crick, along with scientist Maurice Williams discovered the famous double helix structure, and published their findings in the scientific journal Nature.
All three were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1962.

\"\"April 25 also holds extra significance for the world of genomics, as it marks the completion of the Human Genome Project, in which scientists first sequenced the DNA of the entire human genome. The project took 13 years to complete, and aimed to identify all of the genes in human DNA (approximately 20,000-25,000), as well as determine the sequences of all 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA.

The study of genomics has made some impressive advances since the completion of the Human Genome Project.
These include:

  • Using genomics to understand and treat diseases
  • Using genomic technology to yield better crops and livestock
  • Non-invasive prenatal testing
  • Solving crimes using forensic analysis of DNA, and
  • DNA testing from the comfort of your own home!

At GTL, every day is DNA Day! Offering one of the largest ranges of DNA test in Australasia, we pride ourselves in providing accurate, reliable and efficient DNA testing, and handle every client with professionalism and confidentiality.
Since 2001, GTL has been dedicated to answering the genetic questions of thousands of people, and is proud to offer testing services through the world’s most highly accredited DNA testing laboratory.

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) ensures that the laboratories used by GTL have the highest accreditation, and that each individual test is thoroughly checked by an external auditor, ensuring consistent and accurate results, delivered in a timely fashion.
Our most requested genetic tests are the Prenatal Peace and the NATA Accredited DNA Paternity tests.

\"\"There’s a world of unknowns for expectant parents, but the Prenatal Peace test can help to alleviate some of the worries that center around genetic conditions and chromosomal abnormalities. This screening test can detect conditions such as Down Syndrome, and Prader Willi Syndrome, is non-invasive and provides results within 10-14 working days.

The NATA Accredited Paternity Test is by far the most useful tool to have when engaged in family law related legal proceedings. The majority of government departments in Australia require an accredited paternity test to verify parentage, but this test can also be used for child maintenance issues, birth certificate changes, and immigration purposes. 
To coincide with DNA Day, GTL has a new test that will be showcased during the month of April. Ancestry research has become a popular pastime and interest of many Australians looking to find the missing pieces to their genetic history puzzle.

\"AboriginalityThe Aboriginality Report is a simple mouth swab test that compares your sample with a massive database of Aboriginal and Caucasian profiles. Based on a range of commonalities, the results will reveal if you are more likely to be Aboriginal or Caucasian. This is a great way to extend upon your family tree research, and discover more about your heritage.

With every human cell containing around 2 metres of DNA, there’s a lot to learn, and a lot to celebrate about this unique and amazing carrier of genetic information.

 

Brain1

Use your head and mind your brain – Take care of your greatest asset!

We give our brains lots of different names; coconut, noggin, skull, the old grey matter.
Sometimes we call people ‘fat head’ to insult their intelligence, but it’s kind of accurate, as our brains are comprised of around 60% fat!
The long held myth that we only use 10% of our brains while the other 90% remains dormant has evolved over the years, but is actually untrue. William James, a pioneer of American Psychology, famously claimed that ‘most of us do not meet our mental potential’, and this has somehow evolved over the year to the popular 10% myth. Our brains contain a staggering 2,500,000 gigabytes of storage space. Compared to the latest iPhone which has 256 gigabytes, it’s mighty powerful!

Our brains are amazing and fragile all at the same time, and like any other part of our body, there are many things that can go wrong.
March is all about the brain, with Headache Awareness Week running from 9-13, and Brain Awareness Week from 11-17. Both events aim to raise awareness about headaches, migraines and a number of brain diseases. Both weeks also provide information on the benefits of brain research, and keep us informed about progressions in understanding the brain, and its associated problems.

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We can’t spend our lives ‘doing our heads in’ worrying about every disease we may get over the course of our lives, but we can take some positive actions to measure our susceptibility to a range of brain related illnesses. From this, we can take the steps necessary to keep our brains in their best shape, and hopefully lead a bright and brain-healthy life.

As with any disease, some are inherited, some are due to trauma, or poor life choices, and some are purely a result of bad luck.
For inherited brain conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease, GTL can provide an insight and peace of mind with their Genetic Predisposition Test.
This test is suitable for anyone with a family history of genetically inherited brain disease, or for those wanting to know their risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease, so that they can take as many preventative measures as possible to avoid onset.

Often referred to as ‘the slow death’, Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, and accounts for more than half of all diagnosed cases in Australia. Alzheimer’s Disease manifests itself differently in each individual, but it can be described as the result of the neurons and synapses in the brain tissue failing to \’talk\’ to one another effectively. This can result in confusion, forgetting how to perform previously basic tasks, and a loss of perception of reality. From this, it can lead to physical impairments, increased risk of illness, an eventually, death.

As important as our brains are, the rest of our bodies are equally as important. The Genetic Predisposition Test analyses your genetic predisposition to 34 diseases and conditions, allowing you to protect your future and preserve your health for as long as possible.

Together, the Brain Foundation and GTL can help you maintain your brain like the well-oiled machine that it is. Celebrate your greatest asset, and keep on thinking!

Teal Ribbon on hand, copy space toning background, Ovarian Cancer, cervical Cancer, Kidney Cancer awareness

Time to take ovary-action: Donate, dress in teal, have a DNA reveal.

We all know it, cancer devastates lives. It takes our skin, our organs, our limbs, and our loved ones. There are more than one hundred known types of cancer, and every Australian knows someone who has been affected by this disease. It doesn’t discriminate.

Ovarian Cancer is the 8th most common cancer in Australia, with 1600 women receiving a diagnosis each year. The majority of these diagnoses reveal the cancer at a late, often untreatable stage. For this reason, the 5-year survival rate is 47%, but if treated before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5 year survival rate is a much higher 92%.

\"InheritedFebruary is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a timely reminder to be aware of the often undetectable signs, to educate yourself and others about the causes, share stories that inspire, and to support treatment and research. To coincide with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, it’s Cancer Awareness Month at GTL, so we’re offering a fantastic saving on the Inherited Cancer Panel DNA test.
Between 20-25 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary tendency to develop the disease. The most significant risk factor for ovarian cancer is an inherited genetic mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, more commonly known as the breast cancer genes. This comprehensive panel also covers other hereditary cancers, including breast, prostate, bowel and skin cancers.
During February, the Inherited Cancer Panel is just $1200, a saving of $295 when you enter the code AWARE19 upon ordering.

In 2019, Ovarian Cancer Australia is asking supporters to Paint the Town Teal! Host a brunch, a lunch or an ‘afternoon tea(l)’ with this gorgeous blue-green hue as your theme colour to support women and their families living with ovarian cancer. Participants in a Paint the Town Teal fundraiser can register their own event, support friends who are hosting an event, and see the progress of others throughout the month.

GTL is a proud supporter of the teal appeal, and our staff will be forgoing a few takeaway coffees and donating to the cause during the month of February. The talented bakers amongst our staff (and maybe some of us less skillful in the kitchen) will be ‘whisking it all’ for the sake of charity, and hosting a fundraising morning tea, with a bounty of teal-colored treats! If you wish to donate in support for ovarian cancer please see https://paintthetownteal.everydayhero.com/au/gtldnaaustralia

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Awareness, education, and action are three core factors that can help you to become as knowledgeable as possible about serious diseases like Ovarian Cancer. The Cancer Council and Ovarian Cancer Australia are wonderful resources and coupled with the peace of mind gained from an Inherited Cancer Panel from GTL, you’ll have the tools you need to be informed, alert, and hopefully living a cancer-free life.


Nutrifit_Healthier_You_Blog

Kicking health goals in 2019 and beyond.

Well, here we are again, a new year has rolled around, and already we’re into the second week of 2019! The Christmas tree has been packed away, the last of the festive ham has finally been eaten, and the supermarket shelves are already tempting us with Easter eggs and Hot Cross Buns!
For those of us who subscribe to the ‘New Year, New Me’ philosophy (some of us year after year), our new year resolutions are being challenged already. For some of us, our good intentions of starting the year with a healthy mindset may have already been sabotaged to varying degrees.

We’re all unique, with different preferences and abilities, but unfortunately we live in a society where ‘quick fix’ methods are prevalent, and social media outlets are bombarding us with images of ripped bodies that are largely unattainable without years of hard work and let’s be honest, a fair bit of cosmetic surgery.

So how can we ensure that our health goals are the right ones for us? There’s no right or wrong way to approach your health objectives, but many of us look at it as a short term commitment, when in actual fact it should be a lifelong change in order for us to get the best benefits possible. Goals that are measurable, achievable, and realistic are at the core of any successful health plan.
Sometimes the best place to start is right at the very beginning, at the core of who you are, your genetic code.

Did you know that our DNA can tell us a lot about how prone we might be to a number of health issues, or how we can optimize our health goals to lead a long and prosperous life?
We can’t change our DNA, but we can make positive choices based on the results of genetic testing from GTL. GTL’s Nutrifit suite of tests are great tools that can help you to fine-tune and stick to your health objectives.

\"dna

Analyzing more than 110 genetic variations, the results of your Nutrifit test will tell you if you are predisposed to some of the more common ailments that we all worry about, including obesity, bone strength, blood sugar issues, and cholesterol. You will also benefit from knowing how your body responds to basic nutrients like carbohydrates and the different types of fatty acids.
As your DNA is unique, so are your results, carbs may actually be your friend (we’re not making any promises though!).

Nutrifit is perfect for people who want to optimize their lifestyle and dietary choices according to their genetics and can be coupled with another Nutrifit product that can help you achieve your health goals. Nutriplan provides you with a tailor-made, 28 day diet plan, personalized recipes, and advice on tweaking your nutrition plan while still remaining within your calorie allowance.


For those of us with 2019 health goals that extend beyond sedentary salad munching, and actually involve moving our bodies, the Nutrifit Premium (Nutrisport) is the obvious option.

\"fruit\"Based on your genetic analysis, the Nutrisport test recommends the types of physical activities that suit you best or what to approach with caution. It is a great option for those wanting to reach optimal body composition levels. Your results will include a diet type based on your genes, a range of nutritional and sports reports, and lifestyle information so that you are supremely informed about the links between our DNA and your lifestyle. So whatever your health aims for 2019 and the future are, start at the beginning, and work your way up. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same can be said for achieving your health goals. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2019 from GTL.

bowel cancer

Help Fight Bowel Cancer with your Facial Fuzz and a DNA Analysis.

There’s no nice way to say it, bowel cancer is a killer. It claims the lives of more than 4000 Australians each year, and so far in 2018, it is estimated that more than 7000 women and more than 9000 men have been diagnosed with this devastating disease.

Bowel cancer is not just an ‘old person’ disease and does not discriminate between sexes or ages.
Being in tune with any changes in our bodies, inside and out, is important for our overall health, and our gut is no exception.
Any changes that persist for more than two weeks should result in a visit to the GP, and if you have a genetic history of polyps or bowel cancer, peace of mind can be achieved.
In Australia, more than 25% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer have a family history of the disease, so knowing your medical predisposition is a great tool to start with.

GTL can assist, with a range of genetic tests that will reveal your susceptibility to bowel cancer, as well as a range of other inherited diseases.
The Targeted Sequencing Panel 22 test analyses 22 genes associated with bowel cancer and a number of other cancers. DNA from either a blood sample or a biopsy is analyzed. Analysis of gene mutations in cancer is important to clinical decision-making and can serve as a tool when deciding on suitable treatment options and drug targets.
The Personal Genome Analysis is a simple screening test involves a painless saliva sample, and using Next Generation Sequencing Technology, assesses over 130 genetic variations in more than 110 different genes.
The Next Generation Sequencing approach can help identify rare or novel variants as well as those occurring at low frequency within a DNA sample. When matched with germline DNA, it can also verify the nature of a tumor across a large number of samples.
GTL’s genetic tests provide clients with peace of mind and combined with a healthy overall diet, and regular bowel screenings will set you up for a long and healthy life.

screening

With bowel cancer statistics so high, it’s likely that you will know someone affected by this terrible disease. This month, there’s a great opportunity to do your bit to raise awareness and fund vital research to help eradicate bowel cancer.
It’s December, time to wind down after a big year. For lots of us, the holidays mean relaxing the standards a little. No more stuffy shirts and ties, farewell to enclosed shoes and hello to thongs, and for the men who really like to get into holiday mode, maybe a week or two off shaving!
Men who love to get a bit hairy this December can do so for a great cause, Decembeard!

For six years, Australians have been participating in this furry fundraiser, which encourages men to grow a beard in the final month of the year to raise awareness and much-needed funds one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in Australia, bowel cancer. Decembeard is not just for men, the less hirsute of us are also encouraged to embrace their inner hipster, by making a glorious beard to wear, and advocating that others join in or contribute to a fundraising event.
You can sign up or doate at the Decembeard website.
GTL is a proud supporter of the Decembeard initiative, and encourages everyone to take charge of their gut health by booking a world class genetic test, donating money, or participating in this ‘chinspirational’ event. Wishing you a very hairy Christmas from GTL!

Paternity Test

Painless Paternity Tests Provide Legal Accuracy and Peace of Mind

“Man finds out beloved son isn’t really his!”
“He’s not your son.”
We’re familiar with sensational headlines and statements like this, telling the stories of men who find out that the child they believed was biologically theirs, in fact, isn’t.

While misattributed paternity across society only accounts for between 1 and 3 per cent of all cases, this still leaves millions of children around the world being raised by men who have no reason to ask “Am I really your father?” When a relationship breaks down, things can sometimes become complicated and confusing, and some men can find themselves in situations in which they are required to prove their paternity.

There are various reasons that someone would request a paternity test, including child support claims and custody cases. DNA testing is the most accurate way of proving or disproving paternity, and in Australia, all testing must comply with the Family Law Act 1975.

GTL offers a range of paternity tests that can assist in the process. The Home Paternity Test provides a simple, discreet way of testing for peace of mind, and is a premium comprehensive marker test in which both samples are compared for commonalities in the genetic code. Despite providing accurate results, it must be highlighted that this test will not be accepted in a legal court.

In Australia, almost all government departments require DNA paternity tests to be NATA accredited for the results to be admissible in court. For this reason, GTL strongly advocates that their NATA Accredited DNA Paternity Test is used for all legal related matters. The process for undertaking this test is thorough, requiring a legal sign off by a Justice of the Peace and a medical professional to ensure it meets the requirements for the courts.

Father Paternity

GTL customer Dave Graham knows the importance of choosing the right paternity test the first time.

‘I’d previously taken GTL’s Home Paternity Test after the birth of my son, as I had some concerns about my partner’s fidelity. Everything came back in my favour which put my mind at ease, and I thought it would be useful to keep as proof of paternity.
However, when our relationship eventually broke down, I wanted to fight for greater custody of my son. His mother had some negative influences in her life which I was not happy about, and I wanted to provide him with the best possible childhood. This led to legal proceedings where I soon realised that the Home Paternity Test was not legally binding. With the hurtful claims of “He’s not your son.” “He’s not yours,” used against me in court, I again approached GTL again to undertake the NATA Accredited DNA Paternity Test, the only test legally binding by Australian courts.

From the minute I requested the NATA accredited paternity test, they were professional, easy to deal with and discrete. Their results arrived in time to support my court case, and revealed that my son was 99% biologically mine, a perfect result that I always knew in my heart was true.’

Pat test

Ensuring that you choose the right test from GTL for your particular paternity issue can lay to rest any concerns or questions you may have, and save you from extended legal processes. Above all, confirming your paternity will alleviate the huge emotional burden that is associated with relationship breakdowns where children are involved.

breast cancer_dna test1F.jpg

Be Breast in Show this October!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, affecting around 13% of women in their lifetime. Although rarely seen in men, it does exist, affecting around 1%.
Despite a marked improvement in survival rates for breast cancer, it still has the capacity to change, impact and devastate the lives of many.
Of all the disease and illness awareness initiatives we have in Australia, none is more familiar, nor closer to our hearts, than that of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs from October 1 – 31.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month puts the focus on the disease, those affected by it, and the research being done to help one day find a cure. The best chance to fight and survive breast cancer is early detection.
Women are encouraged to note any changes in their breasts, including:
• any kind of lump, especially if it’s only in one breast
• a change in the size or shape of your breast
• any changes to the nipple, including discharge
• a change in the skin texture of your breast such as redness or dimpling
• breast pain that doesn’t go away.
Early detection is often the difference between keeping or losing a breast (although sometimes, a partial or full mastectomy is the best or only option), and can even prolong your life.

GTL can assist in the early detection process, with their oncology screening test which analyses the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes are commonly called ‘tumour suppressors’, and mutations can increase the risk of breast cancer. Tumour suppressor genes essentially prevent cells from dividing too rapidly, so when a mutation of the genes occurs, there is a failure to control and protect the genetic material within the cells, which can lead to breast, ovarian, pancreatic and endometrial cancer.
As many as 5-10% of all breast cancers and 20-25% of hereditary breast cancers are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Research shows that people with inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes develop cancer at younger ages than those who do not have these mutations, so the earlier a test is performed, the better chance of an early detection and treatment.

GTL’s genetic screening test involves a simple blood test, and using Next Generation Sequencing Technology, extracts the DNA from the blood cells, then analyses the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It should be noted that the test requires a referral from your GP, but once you order the test, GTL will send you all necessary paperwork for you and your GP to complete.
One woman who will be celebrating her triumphs and remembering her battles during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Marilyn Jacobs. Marilyn knows first-hand how devastating a breast cancer diagnosis can be, on the individual, and to family and loved ones. Diagnosed at 68 after noticing something ‘not quite right’ during a breast self-examination, and knowing that she had a family history of cancer, Marilyn sought further clarification from her medical practitioner, and was eventually diagnosed with Grade 3 (high grade) breast cancer.

gtldna

Marilyn’s first thoughts when hearing her diagnosis were, “If you’re going to get cancer then breast is best!” “I thought they’d just remove my breasts and I’d be done with it, and I’d get on with my life!”
Marilyn’s treatment included a mastectomy, coupled with more than five months of chemotherapy.
“There was so much support available for me during my treatment, there was information on wigs, support groups in my area, makeup classes for self-esteem, and even small things like a diary to record my journey. These groups do wonders for cancer patients and their families.”

Marilyn, like many other Australians, is looking forward to seeing progress in the field of research to directly target cancer cells, which would decrease the need for chemotherapy, a treatment she says is far worse, and brought about more changes to her health than the cancer itself.
“I think that my overall health has been the thing that has suffered the most, my stamina levels have never returned to the same level as they were pre-cancer, and I definitely have the much talked about ‘chemo brain.’”

Marilyn, like many other cancer survivors, would recommend genetic screening tests to anyone who wanted a starting point to make decisions about their health, as at this stage, the preservation of health is easier than the cure of the disease.

To find a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event local to you, go to: https://www.bcna.org.au/events/2018/
For comprehensive information about breast cancer, and to hear heartfelt stories of courage, go to: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

Healthy Lifestyle

Take leaps and bounds to a healthier you!

To say that a woman’s life in the twenty-first century is busy is an understatement.
We’re constantly told that we can do it all, that we can have it all, that we should be constantly striving to meet what seem like impossible standards in all facets of our lives.
We prioritise our partners, our children, our families and our friends, putting their needs before our own, time and again.
As much as we all love pleasing everyone in our orbit, sometimes, as the saying goes, ‘something’s gotta give.’

Women’s Health Week is right around the corner, running from September 3-7, and is a timely reminder to get off the monotonous treadmill, celebrate our worth, and consider how we can optimise our own health, so that we can continue to be the best for our loved ones, and more importantly, for ourselves.

health week

Founded in honour of renowned medical practitioner, Dr. Jean Hailes, Women’s Health Week is about putting ourselves first, and making positive health changes that can last throughout our lives.
The changes we make can also influence other women to take steps towards a healthier overall lifestyle. The week attracts the support of businesses, community organisations, sporting clubs and last year boasted more than 1500 health related events held around the country.
GTL are strong supporters of helping every woman live her healthiest life, and offer a suite of DNA tests that can assist in achieving specific health goals, or provide peace of mind for a range of health questions. A number of GTL’s targeted tests align perfectly with the themes presented during this year’s Women’s Health Week.

GTL’s Personal Genome Analysis allows women to gain further insight into their individual genetic makeup and how it might influence their lives. This fits in well with day 1 of Women’s Health Week, which focuses on bringing silent and seldom talked about topics out in to the open. The Personal Genome Analysis provides client with information and recommendations on how to reduce the risk of developing a range of diseases, including:
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Celiac disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Heart attack
• Multiple sclerosis
• Psoriasis
• Restless leg syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis

fruit

Women’s Health Week also focuses on the importance of mental wellbeing, and hormone management, two vital factors on any woman’s overall health agenda.
GTL’s Karmagenes Personality Test can help women to gain insight into their personality traits, based on their DNA. Karmagenes is a psychological assessment which analyses the ‘Big 5’ personality traits, and is the most widely accepted and used model of personality to study personality in terms of how it changes over time and how it relates to other variables.
The Karmagenes Personality Test can help women to find out more about themselves, what genetically makes them tick, and can provide insight into a number of personality traits that you may have been questioning endlessly, without answers.
Many woman these days find themselves, ‘wired and tired’, a term that aptly describes those of us who are burning the candle at both ends, and are, to put it simply, utterly exhausted. We’ve neglected our health, and fitness, what was that again?
They say that the first step is often the hardest, so why not take the first big leap towards a healthier you by taking a simple, painless, individualised DNA test from the NutriFit family of tests?

Utilising Next Generation Sequencing Technology, all NutriFit tests comprise 35 different analyses and assess over 100 genetic variations that affect personal metabolism and physical characteristics. Find out how your body processes a range of different foods, and receive personalised recommendations about which eating plans and exercise regimes are most suited to your genetic makeup. Coupled with the information you will learn during Women’s Health Week, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a less stressed, and a more ‘prepared for anything’ type of woman!

So why not let GTL make your Women’s Health Week into a Women’s Health Forever?
Find a Women’s Health Week event in your area. Participate and celebrate with like-minded woman who are passionate about living a well-balanced, healthy life.
To help you embrace your health and wellness goals and unlock the true potential of you, there is no time like now to organise a safe, non-invasive DNA test of your choice through GTL, a proud advocate of optimal health and wellbeing for all women.

#myhealthfirst #generation

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