The growing focus on health and wellness has inspired more women to take better care of themselves, even while they continue to put their family’s health first. Especially during Women’s Health Month, healthcare for women is self-care.
Monitor Your Breast Health
Thanks to breast cancer organizations like Susan G. Komen, women are more aware of the things they should be doing to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in women.
Those preventive measures include yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
The noninvasive imaging test is the best way to find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.
In South Carolina, women can have a mammogram without a doctor’s referral order.
Once a baseline mammogram is taken, your physician can tell you if you have dense breasts, which increases your risk of breast cancer and makes it more difficult to detect tumors using traditional two-dimensional mammography. If you are one of the nearly 50% of women with dense breast tissue, your doctor may recommend you have 3D mammograms going forward.
3D mammograms, also known as tomosynthesis, have been shown to improve the radiologist’s ability to diagnose breast cancer and reduce the number of false positives. Your mammogram can also be combined with automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) screening, a type of ultrasound intended specifically for women with dense breasts. ABUS makes cancerous tumors in dense breast tissue easier to see and, when combined with annual mammograms, has been found to increase cancer detection by 36%.
Making Mammograms Affordable
Beaufort Memorial has partnered with MDsave, a health care marketplace, to offer discounts on screening mammograms, including tomosynthesis. If you currently don’t have insurance or have a high deductible health insurance plan, this may be a good option. Staff at our Breast Health Center can offer additional options to patients who can't afford care by calling 843-522-5029.
Get Your Well-Woman Exam
Along with an annual mammogram, women should have yearly checkups with a gynecologist that include clinical breast and pelvic exams. After age 65, you can visit your gynecologist every two years.
From ages 21-29, women also should have a Pap test every three years. Starting at age 30, some doctors will co-test for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that increase your cervical cancer risk. The Pap/HPV test should be performed every five years until the age of 65 even if you have had the HPV vaccine.
Care for Your Colon
Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in women, but it doesn’t receive nearly the attention of breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society used to recommend colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50 for women at average risk of developing the disease. It’s now age 45. If the test results are normal, colonoscopies should be performed every 10 years.
Screen Your Skin
Because of the elevated sun exposure in the South, Dr. Thompson also recommends annual skin cancer screenings by a dermatologist.
Nourish Your Body
A nutritious diet will go a long way in helping you maintain your health, but it’s difficult to get all the nutrients and vitamins your body needs from food alone.
It's recommended that women over 40 take 1,000 IUs of vitamin D and 1,000 mgs of calcium each day. But before you begin taking any supplements, talk to your physician about your individual health issues.
Keep Moving
And, of course, you should exercise regularly. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
Know if You Need a Break
Your mental health also should not be overlooked. Take a mental health break, which could include yoga or meditation, for at least 15 minutes a day. A little bit of downtime will help you live your best life.
Find a women’s health specialist. Beaufort Memorial has board-certified women’s health providers ready to listen to you and help you through every stage of life.