5 HE ALT H QUESTIONS to ask yourself

… for a longer, l healthier life. Plus, the apps you need to keep your wellbeing on track

WomenW over 40 should haveh a mammogram everye two years. “But ifi you have any breast symptomss in between, sees your doctor,” says GP Dr Clare Balling Ballingall. As for those pesky Pap smears, new advances in technology mean less time at the doctor. “From May this year, the starting age will shift to 25 years, and women will only need tests every five years,”years, explains Clare. T THE MUST-HAVE APP: Women’s H Health Screening (free) Think of it as your medical PA – reminding you whenh tests are due. Every woman with a smartphone needs this app in her life!

ItI might sound mad, butb having 11 or more molesm on your right arma puts you at greater riskr of developing melanoma,m say UK researchers.researchers If you haveh that many, you’re likely to have in excess of 100 on the rest of your body, and a greater chance one of them will develop into something more sinister. “Don’t be too relaxed if you have no moles,” says Clare. “If you have any new skin lesions, something on your skin that doesn’t heal or a change in a pre-existing mole, see youry GP to get it checked out.” THET MUST-HAVE APP: SkinvisionS (free) Worried about a mole? Take a pic and this app willill i instantlyt assess your skin cancer risk.

““High blood pressure p puts you at much greater r risk of illness and early d death from stroke and h heart disease,” says Clare. ““It also plays a role in d demen dementia.”n ti ” TheTh ideal i reading is below

120/8 120/80, and according to recent studies, this can slash your risk of premature death by a as much as 27 per cent. THET MUST-HAVE APP: MyheartmateM (free) Protect y your real heart by learning to tk take care of a virtual one! This app has fun games and quizzes designed to promote positive lifestyle behaviours, and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol level.

W We know fibre is e essential to keep u us regular, but new A Aussie research has r revealed people with t the highest intake are alsol 808 per centt more likely to live a longer, healthier life. “It aids digestion of other foods and may have added benefits like keeping cholesterol and blood sugars in check,” says Clare. “We should all aim for 20-35 grams per day.” THET MUST-HAVE APP: MyfitnesspalM (free) Not only is this a fantastic weight-loss aid id and d calorie counter, it also tracks essential nutrients, including fibre.

“The amount of sleep y you need varies with a age, and whether y you’re a lark or an owl i is already decided by y your genes,” explains Cl Clare. But Bt a generall rule of thumb is seven to nine hours a night in order to maintain good health and wellbeing. Too little snooze time and you put yourself at risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. THET MUST-HAVE APP: Sleep GeniusG ($7.99) With a power nap f function, revive cycle alarms and a relaxationl ti program to promote deep, restful sleep, this app will help you wake up feeling refreshed every day of the week.