http://www.womenshealth.gov/
Overview
While there are many different conditions to women, and specifically those covered under the heading of "women's health", Get Screened America is more focused on understanding the importance of screening and testing. While the testing schedule found under the "Testing Schedule" tab provides general guidance, this site will focuses on two specific health conditions - Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer.
To review information on Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer click on the tabs below. As additional classes are added, they will be added to the tab row.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.
Calcium is important throughout people’s life. Most women get only about half of the calcium they need everyday so taking a calcium supplement is often advisable. An adequate calcium intake is essential in the prevention of osteoporosis, with the best form for preventing bone loss being calcium carbonate. If you choose to use supplements it’s important that you understand that the body can only absorb up to 750 mg of calcium at one time, so you will need to divide your dose if the amount of calcium supplement you take exceeds that amount. Good natural sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seafood.
Below are 5 steps to better bone health and potentially osteoporosis prevention:
- EAT RIGHT - Get your daily recommended amounts of Calcium (or Calcium Carbonate supplement) and Vitamin D.
- EXERCISE -Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercise.
- MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE - Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR - Talk to your doctor about bone health and specifically about osteoporosis risks
- GET TESTED - Have a bone density test according to the recommended schedule or as suggested by your doctor, and take medication when appropriate.
To take a quick test to determine the risk of osteoporosis, click here for the test provided by the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast divide and grow without normal control. About 85 percent of breast cancers begin in the mammary ducts, while about 15 percent arise in the lobules. Tumors in the breast tend to grow slowly, so by the time a lump is large enough to feel, it may have been growing for as long as 10 years. However, some tumors can be aggressive, and grow much more rapidly. Invasive breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells from inside the lobules or ducts break out into nearby breast tissue. This allows the cancer cells to spread to the lymph nodes and, in advanced stages, to organs like the liver, lungs and bones in a process called metastasis. When abnormal cells grow inside the milk ducts, but have not spread to nearby tissue or beyond, the condition is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Although the abnormal cells have not spread to tissues outside the ducts, they can develop into invasive cancer.
Getting tested regularly is the best way for women to lower their risk of dying from breast cancer. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when it's most treatable. The different tests include mammography (including digital mammography), MRI, clinical breast exam and breast self-exam.
- Mammography (including digital mammography) - Mammography is a screening tool that uses X-rays to provide an image of the breast. These images, called mammograms, are used to find potential signs of breast cancer such as tumors, small clusters of calcium (microcalcifications) and abnormal changes in the skin. At this time, mammography is the best screening tool for breast cancer. It can find cancers at an early stage, when they are small and most responsive to treatment. Mammograms are usually done in a certified general radiology center or in a mammography clinic.
- MRI - MRI uses magnetic fields to examine the breast, and there is promising evidence that it may become a good tool for breast cancer screening used together with mammography. It is increasingly being used with mammography for screening women with known or suspected BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, as many studies have shown it to be better than mammography alone in finding early breast cancer in this group of women. Recent findings suggest that for women recently diagnosed with cancer in one breast, MRI with mammography can detect breast cancer in the opposite breast better that mammography alone.
- Clinical Breast Exam - Clinical breast exams are physical examinations done by physicians, nurse practitioners and other trained medical staff. They involve checking the look and feel of the breasts and underarm for any changes or abnormalities. The breasts are checked while you are sitting up and while you are lying down. Clinical breast exams are a part of breast cancer screening and should be thought of as a complement to mammography.
- Breast Self-Exam - Breast self-exam is a way to help you become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. The self exam may help you find tumors in the time between your annual mammogram and/or clinical breast exam. It may also help you learn what changes in your breasts should be reported to your doctor. If you notice any changes such as thickening, lumps, spontaneous nipple discharge or skin changes, such as dimpling or puckering see your health care provider right away.
This information available in PDF comes from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website.
Many women with breast cancer want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn all you can about your disease and treatment choices. Knowing more about breast cancer helps many women cope.
Shock and stress after the diagnosis can make it hard to think of everything you want to ask your doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, you may take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend with you when you talk to the doctor - to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen. You do not need to ask all your questions at once. You will have other chances to ask your doctor or nurse to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more details.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat breast cancer include surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. You also may be referred to a plastic surgeon. However, before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Many insurance companies cover a second opinion if you or your doctor requests it.
Another excellent site for Women's Health issues if the U.S. Government's Department of Health & Human Services website addressing women's health which can be found at womenshealth.gov.
As always, if you have any questions, see your doctor or other healthcare professional.
