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Heart & Cardiovascular Health Heart and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in Massachusetts. And, 1 in 3 women have heart disease. Don't let it be you. While some heart disease is outside of our control, we can dramatically reduce our risk by choices we make every day. Here's some ways to reduce your risk:
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Avoid tobacco |
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Watch your cholesterol |
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Watch your blood pressure |
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Increase your physical activity |
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Maintain a healthy weight |
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Choose to Move! Join other women from across the country who are meeting their heart-health goals through the American Heart Association's Choose to Move program. It is a 12-week on-line program with tips to becoming more physically active and strategies to improve your health. Sign up on-line at www.choosetomove.org.
Go Red! Take part in the American Heart Association Program and Love Your Heart.
Take a Heart Checkup. Learn how to understand your enemy. Get recipes and tips. Go to www.goredforwomen.org for more information.
| FREE SCREENING FOR BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER |
| The Massachusetts Women's Health Network, a program from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, provides free screenings and diagnostic services for breast and cervical cancer for eligible Massachusetts women. For help finding an enrollment site or to get more information, call 1-877-414-4447 (TTY 617-624-5992) |
 Breast CancerOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer (other than skin cancer) among American women. After lung cancer, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. However, it can be treated and the key is early detection.
While there are many risk factors for breast cancer, the two leading factors are being a woman and getting older. And every woman is at risk. That's why every woman needs to follow the guidelines for early detection and screening for breast cancer.
| Cancer Risk Factors You Can Control |
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Stay physically active. |
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Maintain a healthy weight. |
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Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. |
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Limit your alcohol use. |
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Eat your fruits & vegetables! |
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The American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation recommend a 3-tiered approach:
Mammograms: After age 40, women should get a mammogram every year.
Clinical Breast Exams: See your health care provider for a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years between the ages of 20 and 39. After 40, get an exam each year.
Breast Self-Exams: After age 20, you should try to perform a self-exam of your breasts each month. Click here for information on how to perform a Breast Self-Exam.
These recommendations are for the general population. Women at high risk, due to family and genetic factors, will need more frequent screening and should speak to their health care provider.
For more information and facts on Breast Cancer Detection, click here.
Cervical Cancer
Cancer of the cervix, or cervical cancer, can usually be prevented! Abnormal and cancerous cells in the cervix do not usually present any symptoms. However, a screening test, called a Pap test, can detect pre-cancerous conditions at an early, treatable stages which can prevent cervical cancer from developing. Pap tests can also detect cervical cancer early when the chance of a cure is very high.
Doctors recommend that women get a Pap test every three years after the age of 21 or within three years of the first time they have sexual intercourse - whichever happens first.
Infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) increases a woman's change of developing cervical cancer. A vaccine for HPV has recently become available and is recommended for females between 9 and 26 years of age.
Remember to consult your doctor and/or dietician before starting an exercise program or modifying your diet significantly.
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