Understand your health, step by step.

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• X-ray

  Uses a small dose of radiation to photograph bones and dense structures. Fast, and usually the first imaging test for injuries, chest problems and fractures.

• Ultrasound

  Imaging using high-frequency sound waves. Safe in pregnancy, good for soft tissues, blood flow and guiding some procedures.

• CT scan

  Computed tomography. An X-ray machine rotates around you and a computer combines the images into detailed cross-sections. Often used to assess injuries, bleeding and deep structures quickly.

• MRI

  Magnetic resonance imaging. Uses strong magnetic fields rather than radiation to build highly detailed pictures of soft tissues, joints and the brain.

• PET scan

  Positron emission tomography. Shows how tissues are working, not just what they look like. A mildly radioactive tracer is injected first and the scanner maps where it collects. Commonly used in cancer care.

• Mammogram

  A low-dose X-ray of the breast used to screen for and investigate breast changes. BreastScreen Australia offers free screening every two years.

• Bone density scan (DEXA)

  Measures bone strength using low-dose X-ray. Used to diagnose osteoporosis and monitor fracture risk. Often called a DEXA scan.

• Fluoroscopy

  A continuous X-ray shown as a live moving picture, used to watch organs work or to guide procedures such as joint injections.

• Nuclear medicine scan

  Uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer to show how organs function. The tracer travels to the organ being studied and a camera reads the signal it gives off.

• Angiography

  Imaging of blood vessels. Contrast is injected into the vessels and X-ray or CT captures their shape, showing narrowings, blockages and bleeding.

• Echocardiogram

  An ultrasound of the heart. Shows the heart's chambers, valves and pumping strength. Performed through the chest, or from the oesophagus when a closer view is needed.

• Endoscopy

  A flexible tube with a camera used to look inside hollow organs, such as the stomach (gastroscopy) or bowel (colonoscopy). Not a radiology scan, but often listed alongside imaging.

• Radiology report

  The written report from the radiologist describing what the scan shows and what it may mean. It goes back to your referring doctor.

• Finding

  Anything the radiologist observes on the scan, whether normal or abnormal. Every report lists the findings before the conclusion.

• Incidental finding

  Something noticed on a scan that was not the reason the scan was ordered. It is usually harmless, but is reported so your doctor can decide whether it needs follow up.

• Lesion

  A general term for any abnormal area of tissue seen on imaging or in a pathology sample. It does not mean cancer; a lesion can be a cyst, a scar or many other things.

• Nodule

  A small, rounded area of tissue or shadow, often in the lung or thyroid. Most nodules are benign, and the report will say whether follow-up imaging is recommended.

• Mass

  A larger area of tissue or swelling that may need investigation to determine what it is. Like lesion, the word itself does not mean cancer.

• Calcification

  Small deposits of calcium in tissue. Most are harmless and simply reflect past healing or ageing, though some patterns are watched more closely.

• Contrast

  A dye or tracer given by injection, drink or enema to make structures stand out on a scan. Tell the team about any allergies or kidney problems beforehand.

• Radiation dose

  The amount of radiation a scan uses. Modern machines keep doses as low as possible, and your doctor orders scans when the benefit outweighs the small risk.

• Doppler

  An ultrasound technique that shows blood flow through vessels in real time. Used to check for clots, narrowings and how well blood reaches organs.

• Full blood count (FBC)

  The most common blood test. Counts your red cells, white cells and platelets and measures haemoglobin. A broad screen for anaemia, infection and many other conditions.

• Haemoglobin (Hb)

  The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low haemoglobin is called anaemia and can cause tiredness and breathlessness.

• White cell count

  The number of infection-fighting cells in your blood. A high count often means infection or inflammation, while a low count can leave you more open to infection.

• Platelets

  Small blood cells that help clotting. Low platelets can cause easy bruising or bleeding; high platelets can raise clot risk.

• ESR

  Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A simple blood test measuring how quickly red cells settle. A raised ESR points to general inflammation, but not to its cause.

• Coagulation profile

  A group of tests checking how quickly your blood clots, including INR and APTT. Used before surgery, when on blood thinners, and when bleeding is a concern.

• Blood film

  A laboratory scientist looks at your blood cells under a microscope to check their size, shape and maturity. Ordered when the full blood count shows something unusual.

• Iron studies

  A panel measuring iron stores, transport and usage. Used to diagnose iron deficiency anaemia and iron overload.

• Ferritin

  The protein that stores iron. A low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron deficiency; a high level can reflect inflammation or iron overload.

• B12 and folate

  Vitamins needed to make healthy red blood cells and maintain nerve function. Low levels cause anaemia and, in the case of B12, nerve symptoms.

• UEC

  Urea, electrolytes and creatinine. Checks kidney function and the balance of sodium and potassium. Creatinine is the main marker of how well the kidneys filter.

• eGFR

  Estimated glomerular filtration rate. A calculated number from your creatinine showing the percentage of kidney function remaining.

• Liver function tests (LFT)

  A panel of enzymes and proteins reflecting liver health. Raised enzymes can signal liver irritation from medicines, alcohol, viruses or other causes.

• Bilirubin

  A yellow pigment from the breakdown of red cells, processed by the liver. High levels cause jaundice, a yellowing of skin and eyes.

• Albumin

  The main protein made by the liver. Low albumin can reflect liver or kidney disease, inflammation or poor nutrition.

• CRP

  C-reactive protein. A protein that rises quickly with inflammation or infection. High-sensitivity CRP is also used to estimate heart risk.

• Lipid profile

  Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. High LDL raises cardiovascular risk; your doctor uses the results with other factors to decide on treatment.

• HbA1c

  Glycated haemoglobin. Reflects your average blood glucose over the past two to three months. The standard test for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes.

• Blood glucose

  The amount of sugar in your blood at the time of the test. Fasting glucose screens for diabetes; random glucose is used when symptoms suggest a problem.

• TSH

  Thyroid stimulating hormone. The first-line thyroid test. A high TSH usually means an underactive thyroid, a low TSH an overactive one; further tests confirm.

• Vitamin D

  A vitamin made in skin from sunlight. Low levels are common and can affect bones and muscles; levels are easy to correct with supplements.

• Troponin

  A protein released when heart muscle is damaged. The key test in suspected heart attack, measured in the emergency department and repeated over hours.

• Amylase and lipase

  Digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Raised levels point to pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis) and guide its treatment.

• Tumour marker

  A substance, often a protein, produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. Measured in blood, tumour markers help monitor treatment but are rarely used alone to diagnose.

• Hormone panel

  A group of blood tests measuring hormone levels, chosen for the question being asked. Examples include thyroid, reproductive and adrenal hormones.

• Urine MCS

  Microscopy, culture and sensitivity of urine. Finds whether an infection is present, identifies the bacteria and shows which antibiotics will work.

• Blood culture

  A sample of blood incubated to see whether bacteria are circulating. Taken when a serious infection is suspected, often before antibiotics start.

• Sputum culture

  Tests mucus coughed from the lungs for infection-causing bacteria, and reports antibiotic sensitivity.

• Stool test

  A sample of poo checked for blood, infection and inflammation. Used to investigate bowel symptoms and for bowel cancer screening.

• Throat swab

  A swab of the back of the throat tested for bacteria such as strep, which causes some sore throats.

• Wound swab

  A sample taken from a wound and sent to the laboratory to identify any infection-causing organisms and which antibiotics they are sensitive to.

• Antibiotic sensitivity

  The part of a culture result showing which antibiotics will stop the bacteria found. It guides the choice and dose of treatment.

• Gram stain

  A rapid stain that classifies bacteria into two broad groups under the microscope. It gives an early hint of what is causing an infection before culture results arrive.

• Serology

  Blood tests looking for antibodies against specific infections. Used to check immunity, diagnose past infections and monitor conditions.

• Histopathology

  The study of tissue samples under the microscope to diagnose disease. The histopathology report is the formal diagnosis for most biopsies and surgical specimens.

• Frozen section

  A tissue sample frozen, sliced and read during surgery so the surgeon can get an answer in minutes, such as whether a margin is clear.

• Grading

  How aggressive a tumour looks under the microscope. Lower grades grow more slowly; higher grades are more abnormal. Different from staging.

• Staging

  How far a cancer has spread in the body, usually described by TNM: tumour size, node involvement and metastases. Guides treatment decisions.

• Margin status

  Whether the edges of a removed tumour are clear of cancer cells. Clear margins reduce the chance of the cancer returning at that site.

• Cytology

  The study of individual cells under a microscope. Cervical screening tests and some fluid samples are examined this way.

• Cervical screening test

  The modern replacement for the Pap smear. Detects HPV and early cell changes in the cervix. Recommended every five years in Australia from age 25.

• Fine needle aspiration

  A thin needle removes a small sample of cells from a lump or gland, examined by a pathologist. Less invasive than a biopsy.

• Fluid cytology

  Examination of fluid from around the lungs, abdomen or joints to find inflammation, infection or cancer cells.

• Genetic testing

  Testing DNA from blood or saliva for changes linked to disease risk. Used in diagnosis, family risk assessment and treatment choice. See the genetics guide.

• Karyotype

  A picture of all your chromosomes, checked for large changes in number or structure that cause genetic conditions.

• Pharmacogenomics

  The study of how your genes affect the way your body responds to medicines. It can explain why a dose works for one person and not another.

• PCR test

  Polymerase chain reaction. Copies tiny amounts of DNA or RNA until they can be detected. Used to diagnose infections, including the faster surgical site infection detection we are building.

• Next-generation sequencing

  Technology that reads many genes at once, used to find disease-causing changes and to guide targeted cancer treatment.

• BRCA testing

  Genetic testing for changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that raise breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. See the cancer guide.

• DNA

  Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule inside almost every cell that carries your genetic instructions, written in a four-letter chemical code.

• Gene

  A stretch of DNA that holds the instructions for making a protein. Humans have around 20,000 genes, and changes in them can influence health and disease.

• Genome

  Your complete set of DNA, about three billion letters long. Your genome is the same in every cell and is almost identical between any two people.

• Chromosome

  A packaged thread of DNA. Humans have 23 pairs, one of each pair from each parent. Some conditions come from a chromosome that is missing, extra or rearranged.

• Allele

  One version of a gene. You inherit one copy of most genes from each parent, and the two versions can differ. Those differences are part of what makes each person unique.

• Variant (mutation)

  A change in the DNA sequence. Most variants are harmless. Some raise disease risk, and testing aims to tell the difference.

• Hereditary (germline)

  A gene change present from birth in every cell, inherited from a parent. Hereditary changes can run in families, so one finding can prompt testing of relatives.

• Somatic (acquired)

  A gene change that happens during life in a single cell or tissue. Somatic changes are not passed to children. Most cancers are driven by somatic changes.

• Whole genome sequencing

  Reading almost all of your DNA in one test. Used when the cause of a condition is unknown, for rare conditions, and for a lifelong genetic baseline.

• Exome sequencing

  Reading the protein-coding parts of your genes, about two percent of the genome but where most known disease-causing changes sit. A middle option between a targeted panel and whole genome sequencing.

• Targeted panel

  A genetic test that reads only the genes relevant to one question, such as hereditary cancer risk or medication response. Faster and more focused than genome-wide testing.

• Tumour profiling

  Molecular characterisation of a tumour after a cancer diagnosis. It finds the changes driving that particular cancer to guide treatment matching, prognosis and clinical-trial eligibility.

• Treatment matching

  Choosing therapy based on the molecular profile of a tumour, so treatment targets the changes driving that specific cancer rather than cancer type alone.

• Liquid biopsy

  A blood test that detects circulating tumour DNA released by cancer cells. Used to monitor treatment response and find targeted-therapy options, sometimes without a tissue biopsy.

• ctDNA

  Circulating tumour DNA. Fragments of tumour DNA in the bloodstream, measured by a liquid biopsy.

• Variant of uncertain significance (VUS)

  A gene change that science cannot yet call harmful or harmless. It is common, usually not a cause for alarm, and is often reclassified as knowledge grows.

• Pathogenic variant

  A gene change known to cause or strongly raise the risk of disease. Variants are classified along a spectrum from benign to pathogenic, and the label guides what happens next.

• Cascade testing

  Testing relatives after an inherited gene change is found, to see who else carries it. Allows earlier surveillance or prevention for family members.

• Carrier

  A person who carries one copy of a gene change that would only cause disease with two copies. Carriers are usually unaffected themselves but can pass the change to their children.

• Carrier screening

  Testing prospective or pregnant parents for conditions they could silently carry, such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy, to inform family planning.

• Polygenic risk score

  A number combining many small genetic influences on a condition such as heart disease. It estimates relative risk but never predicts the future on its own.

• Lynch syndrome

  An inherited condition that raises the lifetime risk of bowel, womb, ovarian and other cancers. Identified early, regular screening can prevent cancers altogether.

• Biomarker

  A measurable substance in the body, often in blood, that signals a normal or abnormal process. Biomarkers help diagnose disease, guide treatment and monitor response.

• Pathologist

  A specialist doctor who examines blood, tissue and fluid samples in the laboratory and issues the report your treating doctor uses to make decisions.

• Medical scientist

  The laboratory professional who performs the technical side of pathology tests, preparing results for the pathologist and your doctor.

• Phlebotomist

  The professional trained to take blood samples safely and comfortably.

• Radiologist

  A specialist doctor who interprets medical images and writes the report that goes back to your referring doctor.

• Radiographer

  The health professional who performs your imaging examination safely and ensures the images are of diagnostic quality.

• Sonographer

  The professional who performs ultrasounds, using the probe to capture the images a radiologist or specialist then reports.

• General practitioner (GP)

  Your family doctor and the front door of the Australian health system. GPs assess, treat, and write referrals to specialists when needed.

• Specialist physician

  A doctor with advanced training in one field, such as cardiology or gastroenterology. You usually see a specialist after a GP referral.

• Psychologist

  A trained professional who supports mental health through talking therapies. Psychologists help with anxiety, depression, adjustment to diagnosis and chronic pain.

• Physiotherapy

  Assessment and treatment of movement and function through exercise, manual therapy and education. A core part of recovery after surgery and in chronic pain care.

• Multidisciplinary team (MDT)

  The group of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals from different specialties who meet to plan your care together.

• Genetic counsellor

  A health professional trained to explain genetic conditions, what testing can and cannot tell you, and to support you in deciding what is right for you and your family.

• Clinical geneticist

  A specialist doctor who diagnoses and manages inherited conditions. Clinical geneticists work closely with genetic counsellors in public genetics services.

• Referral

  A written request from one clinician to another, for example from your GP to a specialist, containing the clinical question and your relevant history.

• Triage

  The process of ordering patients by clinical urgency so the sickest are seen first, used in emergency departments and clinics.

• Inpatient

  Care that requires staying in hospital overnight or longer, on a ward.

• Outpatient

  Care, clinics and appointments that do not require an overnight stay in hospital. Most specialist appointments are outpatient.

• Admission

  The formal process of being accepted into hospital care, either planned (elective) or through the emergency department.

• Discharge summary

  The written record of your hospital stay, sent to your GP. It lists what happened, results, medicines and follow-up plans.

• Medicare

  Australia's public health insurance. It covers part or all of the cost of GP visits, public hospital care and many tests and scans.

• Bulk billing

  When a provider bills Medicare directly and you pay nothing out of pocket for the visit or test.

• My Health Record

  A secure national digital record of your health information, including medicines, allergies, results and hospital letters, which you control.

• Telehealth

  Consultations by phone or video. Widely used for GP and specialist appointments when travel is difficult.

• Second opinion

  Asking another doctor to review your case. A normal and reasonable step for significant diagnoses or treatment decisions.

• Informed consent

  Your agreement to a test or treatment after the risks, benefits and alternatives have been explained. You can ask questions and withdraw consent at any time.

• Adenomyosis

  A condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows into the muscle wall of the womb. It can cause heavy, painful periods and is often confused with endometriosis.

• Endometriosis

  A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lining. It frequently causes pelvic pain and can affect fertility. See our dedicated guide.

• Surgical site infection (SSI)

  An infection in the wound or the tissue around it after surgery. It can be superficial, deep, or involve an organ or space. See our dedicated guide.

• Laparoscopy

  Keyhole surgery using a small camera inserted through the abdomen. It is currently the standard way to confirm endometriosis visually and remove lesions.

• Inflammation

  The body's protective response to injury or infection. It can cause pain, swelling, heat and redness, and is measured in blood tests such as CRP.

• Reference range

  The interval of results seen in healthy people, used as a comparison for your result. A result outside the range is a signal to investigate, not a diagnosis on its own. See the pathology handbook.

• Biopsy

  A small sample of tissue removed from the body and examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing many conditions, including cancer.

• Prescription

  A written or electronic instruction from your doctor that allows a pharmacist to dispense a medicine to you. Prescriptions are valid for a set time and can include repeats.

• Pharmacy

  Where medicines are prepared, checked and dispensed. Pharmacists also review your medicines, answer questions and advise on taking them safely.

• Generic medicine

  The same active ingredient as a brand-name medicine, usually at a lower cost. Generic medicines must meet the same safety, quality and effectiveness standards in Australia.

• Active ingredient

  The part of a medicine that does the therapeutic work. Every medicine label lists it, and knowing it helps you avoid doubling up on the same ingredient.

• Dose

  The amount of a medicine taken at one time. Getting the dose right matters, so always follow the directions on the label or from your doctor or pharmacist.

• Dosage form

  The way a medicine is made and taken: tablets, capsules, liquids, patches, inhalers, injections and more. The same medicine can come in several forms.

• PBS

  The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. An Australian Government program that subsidises most prescription medicines so you pay a reduced price at the pharmacy.

• Concession card

  A government card that can lower the cost of PBS medicines further for eligible people. Ask your pharmacist or Services Australia whether you qualify.

• Side effect

  An unintended effect of a medicine, ranging from mild to serious. Report anything unusual to your doctor or pharmacist rather than stopping a medicine without advice.

• Interaction

  What happens when two medicines, or a medicine and food or alcohol, affect each other. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist everything you take, including over-the-counter and herbal products.

• Antibiotic

  A medicine that treats bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, and using them carefully helps keep them working when they are truly needed.

• Over-the-counter medicine

  A medicine you can buy without a prescription, such as paracetamol. Pharmacists can advise on whether one is right for you.

• Medication review

  A structured check of all your medicines by a pharmacist, often with your GP, to make sure everything you take is still right for you.

• Pharmacist

  The medicines expert in your healthcare team. Pharmacists dispense prescriptions, review medicines and advise on safe use and side effects.

• Vaccination

  Receiving a vaccine to teach your immune system to recognise and fight a specific infection before you meet it. Most Australian vaccines are given by injection, some by mouth.

• Immunisation

  The process of becoming protected against a disease, usually through vaccination. Your immunisation record is kept in the Australian Immunisation Register.

• Booster

  An extra vaccine dose given after the original course to restore or strengthen protection as immunity naturally fades over time.

• National Immunisation Program

  The Australian schedule of free vaccines offered at set ages, from infancy through to older adults, plus extra vaccines for people at higher risk. Often shortened to NIP.

• Herd immunity

  Protection that happens when enough people are immune that an infection struggles to spread, indirectly protecting people who cannot be vaccinated.

• Live vaccine

  A vaccine using a weakened form of the germ. Safe for most people, but some people with weakened immune systems need an alternative.

• Inactivated vaccine

  A vaccine using killed germs or pieces of a germ. It cannot cause the disease itself.

• Influenza vaccine

  The annual flu shot, updated each year for the strains expected that season. Free for many groups under the National Immunisation Program.

• Australian Immunisation Register

  The national record of vaccines given to you across your life. You can check your record through Medicare or My Health Record.

• Vaccine safety

  Australia monitors vaccines through ongoing surveillance and reporting systems. Any suspected reaction can be reported and investigated, and serious reactions are rare.

• Dietitian

  A university-qualified health professional who uses nutrition science to plan eating around illness, recovery and long-term health. In Australia, accredited dietitians use the credential APD.

• Accredited Practising Dietitian

  The Australian credential for dietitians, often shortened to APD. APDs work in hospitals, private practice and community health.

• Malnutrition

  A state where the body is not getting the energy, protein or nutrients it needs. It is common during serious illness and after surgery, slows recovery, and is treatable with the right support.

• Nutritional supplement

  A drink, powder or product that provides extra energy, protein, vitamins or minerals when food alone is not enough.

• Enteral nutrition

  Feeding through a tube directly into the stomach or bowel when a person cannot eat enough by mouth. Often used during hospital stays.

• Parenteral nutrition

  Feeding directly into the bloodstream through a line, used when the gut cannot be used at all.

• Food allergy

  An immune system reaction to a food, which can be serious. Different from intolerance, which is usually less dangerous.

• Food intolerance

  Difficulty digesting certain foods, causing symptoms like bloating or diarrhoea, without an immune reaction.

• Australian Dietary Guidelines

  The national evidence-based advice on what to eat for health, covering food groups and serving sizes.

• Hydration

  Keeping enough fluid in the body. Fluid needs rise with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and hot weather, and poor hydration slows recovery.

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