Better Health for Women 365 Days a Year

Stephanie Gogots

October 15, 2015

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General Health

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October serves as an annual reminder for women to pay attention to our health. But breast cancer is not the only major disease that threatens us. Heart disease and diabetes are also serious concerns that women should pay attention to for better health 365 days a year. The statistics are staggering:

• In 2015, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the United States, along with 60,290 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer (BreastCancer.org).
• Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. Despite increased awareness over the past decade, only 54% of women recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
• As of 2012, the number of women with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the United States was 13.4 million.

These diseases can occur from unhealthy lifestyle choices. Everyone knows by now that a healthy lifestyle – eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining an exercise plan – helps the body fight against certain diseases and helps prevent problems from occurring. However, I believe being proactive often takes a back seat in our daily routine for better health.

Some people assume that cancer is inevitable, and there isn't anything that can be done to prevent it from happening to them. Although cancer is a monster that at times can't be easily detected or prevented, there is a way to take control over your risks. For example, many of the risk factors for diabetes – being overweight and not getting enough exercise – are the same for breast cancer.

"Many risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and breast cancer overlap – such as being older, being overweight or obese and lack of regular physical activity. These risk factors may separately, and together, contribute to the increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with diabetes.” (Susan G Komen)

Proactively address controllable risk factors common to both diseases to protect your health.

I believe women should focus on improving their health not only during the month of October but all year long. Maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your loved ones.

• Get regular health screenings
• Stay up to date with vaccinations
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise
• Rest and de-stress when needed
• Address any and all gynecologic issues
• Understand health issues specific to women – bone, breast, thyroid and cervical health

See our Women’s Health Care Guidelines for 10 things you can do to live longer, live better and live happier.

Schedule your mammogram today and enter to win a FREE health class registration! Visit FortHealthCare.com/Mammography to locate and make an appointment with one of the gynecologists at the Fort HealthCare Center for Women’s Health.