Womens Health is under Study
What are you doing about your Health?

Women's health is the result of a broad based interest in the health issues of women that developed in the ‘70s and ‘80s as with the feminist movement. This new knowledge has led to a greater understanding of some of the complex matters that challenge women today.

Health issues that affect women refer to those issues that are specific to the human female body. Some diseases affect the female body differently to that of the male, and some are specific to the female. Many of these are various forms of cancer. Even with all this women tend to outlive men by about seven years.

Good nutrition along with adequate amounts of regular exercise is the best form of defence from these diseases as well as sensible care of oneself to ensure a long happy life.

The women's health issue that is most common is endometriosis, which is a painful condition affecting millions of women; the symptoms include painful and/or heavy periods, pain during intercourse, pelvic pain, infertility and low backache. Sometime victims find that following pregnancy they no longer have any problems. The normal treatment is painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication may be used to relieve the symptoms. Treatment may also involve hormonal drugs, and as a last resort, surgery.

For some women, breast health tops their health concerns. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women effecting one in nine women at some period in their life. Every woman should learn to examine her breast and do so regularly. What you are looking for are: -

• lumps or thickening of the tissue,
• discharge from the nipple,
• ’tethering’ of the skin as if it is being pulled from the inside,
• any unusual appearance, sensation or pain

Remember most lumps are harmless, but you should still get them checked by your Doctor as soon as possible.

Most countries or areas have a strong interest in womens health the result of which they have a National Breast Screening programme, which will provide screening for breast cancer for all women over the age of 50. If you are between 50 and 70 you should be routinely invited every three years for a mammogram. Women over 70 should be encouraged to make their own arrangements.

There is NO quick cure for breast cancer. However, there are many effective treatments and the death rate from breast cancer has been falling for a number of years.

Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 35. But precancerous changes in the cervix can be detected, allowing for prompt effective treatment. Under a Cervical Screening Programme all women between the ages of 25 to 65 are regularly invited for a smear test. The system is automated, so as long as you are registered with a GP you should receive a letter asking you to make an appointment. During the test the Doctor or Nurse will take a smear from the cervix, which is then examined under a microscope. Any abnormalities found are examined further and treatment, if required, can start straight away. With the increased attention being paid to women’s health new methods of eliminating and treating this type of cancer successfully are being developed all the time. Get tested regularly and beat this illness.

Cancer of the uterus, which is also known as uterine or endometrial cancer, affects thousands of women every year. The exact cause of this cancer isn’t known. However, certain factors may increase a woman’s risk. Factors that have been linked to uterine cancer include:-

• Being overweight,
• How many times a woman has been pregnant,
• The pattern of the woman’s periods.

Treatment for this condition is usually successful if it is started early enough.

The best thing to do is to talk to your Doctor or Nurse and discuss any irregularity, get checked regularly. If you do this then any early signs of abnormality will be detected, and treatment begun with every chance of success.

I have known women to die, usually of my mother and grandmother’s age group, who have been ill for some time. But, they would not talk about what ails them, nor, did they seek help from a Doctor. After their death it is found that they had had one of these cancers and it had killed them. It now appears that they did not know what was wrong with themselves, they were embarrassed so did not talk about it. I now think that they blamed themselves for their illness feeling that they were being punished for some reason so it was God’s will. If only they had known what is known today.

Don’t let yourself be one of these women, get checked regularly.

If a woman makes the correct healthy choice she will enjoy a long, happy and enjoyable life. Womens health can be improved by following a few simple steps.