In this episode of Women Out Loud, Amy McElgunn, Courtney Weybury and Dr Niamh Logue move from a candid conversation about online media and algorithms into a practical discussion about women’s health and preventative care.
The episode centres on screening, with Dr Logue sharing her experience of having her first mammogram and unpacking the misconceptions that often stop women from booking in. The team explores why so many women delay checks, from fear and misinformation to time pressures and the mental load of everyday life.
The conversation also breaks down what screening looks like across different life stages, including breast, bowel and cervical screening, and what factors like breast density mean for individual risk.
The hosts reflect on the pressures facing the public system, rising bowel cancer rates in younger people and the challenges women face navigating cost and access to care.
They also highlight how care is evolving, including self-collection cervical screening and the expansion of telehealth through Surf Coast Women’s Health Group, allowing the team to reach new patients and more women beyond the immediate local area.
This is a practical and honest conversation about understanding your risk, navigating the health system and making preventative care a priority.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Media, algorithms and online influence
06:00 – First mammogram and common fears
09:30 – Breast density and cancer risk explained
12:00 – Why women delay preventative care
15:00 – Screening updates and barriers to access
30:00 – Telehealth and improving access to care