Empowering Women: Care for Every Age, at Every Stage
Many women neglect their own health because they are focused on taking care of family or friends.
Taking care of your physical and mental health is an important part of your overall well-being and helps you take better care of others. Learn more from some of our expert female physicians at Adventist HealthCare about important appointments and screenings women may need throughout their health journey.
Primary Care
Visiting a primary care doctor for an annual physical is an important tool to stay on top of your overall health, no matter your age. Your primary care doctor can help you manage preventive care and day-to-day health concerns and guide you when you need specialized care.
Your annual physical is a time to talk with your doctor about your physical and mental health and address any concerns you have. This is also a time to:
- Stay up to date on your vaccinations.
- Talk to your physician about when you may need key health screenings, such as a mammogram, colonoscopy or Pap test.
- Know your numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index. Routine bloodwork can help you understand these important measures.
“It’s important to find a primary care provider you trust and to stay up to date on your annual physical. There are important health milestones such as breast cancer screenings at age 40 and colorectal cancer screenings at age 45 that you don’t want to miss,” said Ogechi Anyaoku, MD, internal medicine doctor with Adventist Medical Group in Fort Washington. “Finding a provider you are comfortable with who can truly be a partner in your health will help keep your health a priority.”
Heart Care
Some risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, inflammatory disorders, stress and depression increase the chance of heart disease in both women and men. Certain conditions only affect women, including:
- Pregnancy-related conditions, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Breast cancer treatment
- Gestational diabetes
- Menopause
If you have any of these risk factors, seeing a cardiologist can help you understand your personal risk for heart disease.
“Women’s hearts are special. Knowing your individual risk is the first step in prevention and keeping your heart healthy,” said Daisy F. Lazarous, MD, director of the Women’s Cardiovascular program at Adventist HealthCare. “Don’t wait for symptoms before you seek help. If you have any risk factors, discuss them with your primary care physician.”
Breast Care
One in every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Most women with an average risk for breast cancer should start getting a mammogram every year when they turn 40.
Women with an increased risk of developing breast cancer may need to start screenings earlier. There are several factors that can put you at a higher risk for breast cancer, including:
- Gene mutations, such as those on the BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Dense breast tissue
- One or more first-degree female relatives with premenopausal breast cancer
- Extended hormone exposure due to early menstrual periods or delayed menopause
It’s important to talk to your primary care physician or OB-GYN about when and how often you should get a mammogram.
“Most breast cancer is diagnosed in women with no family history, increasing the importance of screenings and early detection. Mammograms are the most effective screening tool to finding breast cancer early in average risk and in those at high risk,” shared Nikki Tirada, MD, director of Women’s Imaging at Adventist HealthCare. “Early detection saves lives as it can allow an earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.”
Make your health a priority and stay up to date on your important health screenings! If you want to learn your risk for heart disease or breast cancer, take Adventist HealthCare’s easy and fast online health risk assessments at AHCYou.com/S24Women.
