Washington, DC  -  While women are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, far too many suffer each year from health problems that could be prevented or treated through early detection.  Something as simple as an annual check-up can identify risk factors for many diseases or detect diseases early enough to make treatment more successful.

 

May 12 - the day after Mother’s Day - marks the first observance of National Women's Check-Up Day and is a highlight of National Women’s Health Week (May 11-17). The purpose of National Women's Check-Up Day is to encourage women to talk to their health care providers now about their health concerns, get a check-up, and then work to reduce their health risks throughout the year.  Of course a regular check-up isn’t a guarantee of better health, but taking a day to focus on personal health can help add years to a woman’s life by identifying specific risk factors and encouraging women to take simple steps toward improving their health.

 

Health care providers are willing to do their part by providing information, education and treatment, but women must do their part too – by making an appointment. It’s easy to put off something as simple as scheduling a check-up because we are too busy to be bothered.  We tell ourselves “we’ll get to that next month” or that we can “wait just little while longer” before we make an appointment to see our doctor. Nothing can be further from the truth. Preventative screenings and monitoring our health is critical because it allows an individual to learn how lifestyle choices and changes directly influence your health and well-being.

 

Some of those changes are as basic as adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan. Obesity is one of the biggest and most common risk factors for heart disease, cancer and diabetes. One in every three women will die of heart disease. And though it is surprising to many, heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Diabetes, on the other hand, is the fifth leading cause of death among women. More than 8 million women in this country have diabetes, and obesity and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent in those with the disease. Physicians can often recognize the early signs of these diseases and work with patients to reduce their risks by designing and suggesting nutrition and exercise plans to reduce obesity and other factors commonly found in people suffering from these health problems.

 

When going in for a check-up, women also can ask their health care provider about screenings for other health concerns including breast, ovarian and cervical cancer as well as osteoporosis. For instance, while many women have heard of the benefits associated with conducting a breast self exam (BSE), few know when they should begin scheduling  regular mammograms. Often, the same holds true for exams for cervical and ovarian cancer. In Missouri, where more than 3,800 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year, these exams are critically important. Women should also discuss bone density testing with their doctors to assess and treat osteoporosis.

Mother’s Day is one of the times when we pause to recognize the important role  women play in our lives, our families and our communities.  Perhaps this year for Mother’s Day, the best gift we can offer is to encourage our mothers - and our sisters, daughters and friends - to make simple choices such as making appointments for regular checkups, choosing nutritious foods and getting more exercise that will help them lead longer, healthier lives.