In the rural Northern Territory town of Katherine, diabetes can feel "normal" for young Aboriginal women.

The disease was diagnosed in Edwina Murphy and Renee Tasman while they were still in school, but it wasn't their first encounter with the condition.

"It's normal for me because when I was growing up I [saw] my mum, she always takes her medicine because she also has diabetes," Ms Tasman said.

For Ms Murphy, diabetes also runs in the family.

"It started from my grandfather, my mum's dad, and it passed down to her and three other siblings," she said.

" Me and three other siblings of mine [also have diabetes]. "

Since their diagnosis, the women have changed their diets and started exercising more by running or playing footy to manage their blood sugar levels.

They both use their l

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