Self-advocacy is encouraged but rarely explained or made explicit. And many women still don’t know they have the right to ask questions, get a second opinion, and offer feedback when it comes to their healthcare.

You don’t need permission to advocate for healthcare that meets your needs. But if you wanted a reminder, this is it.

In this timely episode of Regarding Me, I’m joined by Rebecca White, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Women, to talk about self-health advocacy, not as a ‘bonus’ or nice-to-have, but as a right.

We unpack the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making, and what it takes to shift a healthcare system where women, especially younger women, are still dismissed or not taken seriously.

Whether you’re in Australia or elsewhere, this conversation will help you understand what you’re entitled to and how to confidently speak up for the care that fits your life.

You’ll hear:

• What your healthcare rights really mean and why they matter
• What the Australian Government is doing to support women's self-health advocacy
• How to use the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights as a tool
• What informed consent is – across all healthcare interactions
• Why second opinions are a right
• What to say when you feel dismissed or unsure what to ask
• The support services available to women from diverse communities
• How we can shift systems and support each other to speak up

“We are the only people we can depend on to be our own advocates when it comes to our healthcare.” — Rebecca White

🔗 Want to start now?

Download my free Six Self-Advocacy Steps (SSAS) guide, a practical tool to help you ask better questions and get the care you need.

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Get Luan's free SSASy guide to Self-Advocacy
• Sign up for Luan's Newsletter
• Check out Luan's website

Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before she passed from metastatic breast cancer, Sarah’s mum gave her the greatest gift: knowledge that may help Sarah future-proof her health.

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Sarah Wallace opens up about what it means to self-advocate when you live with inherited risk factors for breast cancer but no diagnosis. For her, it’s a complicated space: considered ‘elective’ in the system, but a risk too great for her to wait.

And now she’s facing the prospect of accessing her superannuation again drawing from the little she’s managed to save since using every cent she had to fund IVF.

Together we talk about:

• The inherited cancer risk space, and why it can leave women feeling invisible
• How her mum’s knowledge shaped Sarah’s decisions around genetic testing
• Why she feels risk-reduction surgery using her superannuation is her only option
• What it looks like to advocate for yourself in the gaps, between risk and prevention, system and self

Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that advocacy is not only about facing a diagnosis. It is also about the courage to act before one comes.

⚠️ This episode includes discussion of fertility challenges, pregnancy loss and related experiences. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. It’s always okay to pause or step away if you need to.

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

Follow Luan on Instagram

Get Luan's free SSASy guide to Self-Advocacy

Sign up for Luan's Newsletter

Check out Luan's website

Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What price do you pay to advocate for your health - and for hope?

For Sarah Wallace, that question has been answered in ways both heartbreaking and costly.

Luan is joined by Sarah, founder of the Wish Collective, to talk about her experience of Assisted Fertility Treatment, pregnancy loss, and what she describes as the four hardships of fertility treatment: mental, emotional, physical and financial.

When the wait lists were too long and the Medicare rebates fell short, Sarah drew down all her superannuation, more than $50,000, to fund IVF alone. That meant wiping out some of her future financial security for the chance of an earth-side baby. And to access those funds, she had to take on a mental health diagnosis that will remain on her health record.

Together, they talk about dashed hopes, resilience and the strength that comes from community support in moments when you can’t carry it alone. Sarah’s story shines a light on the hidden costs women are asked to taken on, not just in the moment, but in ways that shape their future too.

Her honesty is a powerful offering. It includes the gift of an earth-side baby, and now, a quietly joyful update.

This is part one of their conversation. In part two, Sarah shares why she faces the prospect of drawing down on her superannuation again to help future-proof her health and reduce her inherited cancer risk. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!

⚠️ A note for listeners: this episode discusses fertility challenges, pregnancy loss and related experiences. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. It’s always okay to pause or step away if you need to.

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

Follow Luan on Instagram

Get Luan's free SSASy guide to Self-Advocacy

Sign up for Luan's Newsletter

Check out Luan's website

Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.