Last month the Department of Health featured an article which encouraged businesses to promote women’s
health both for the well-being of individual employees
and as a means to protect one of the most important contributors
to a business’s success: a vital and productive workforce.
This article is a follow-up which provides a list of women’s
health issues across the lifespan.
Major Health Concerns for Women in
Their Teens, Twenties, and Thirties
Bone Health — The teens and twenties are crucial years in building bone mass to
help prevent osteoporosis later in life. Optimum calcium intake
and weight-bearing exercise are the main factors required for
healthy bones.
Establish a Pattern for Lifelong Cervical,
Ovarian, and Breast Cancer Screenings — Women should ask their healthcare provider about screening for
cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer at adequate intervals across the lifespan. In addition to receiving clinical breast and pelvic
exams at recommended intervals, women should learn proper
techniques for performing self breast exams.
Skin Cancer Prevention — Ninety percent of skin cancer-causing sun exposure occurs before
the age of 18. All women should wear sunscreen with a sun protection
factor of at least 15 daily, and avoid sun exposure between
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Annual skin cancer examinations are
also recommended.
Major Health Concerns for Women in Their Forties
Mammography — Women should receive a baseline mammogram around age 40.
They should then discuss the recommended frequency for mammograms
with their healthcare provider based upon their family
and personal health history.
Major Health Concerns for Women in
Their Fifties, Sixties, and Beyond
Colon and Rectal
Cancer Screening — At age 50, women
should be screened for
colon and rectal cancer.
Bone Health — Women age 65 and
over should be
screened routinely
for osteoporosis.
Important Health Concerns
for Women of All Ages
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention — Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are chronic
conditions that can have a profound impact on
women’s health. Women should discuss their individual
risks for these conditions with their healthcare
provider.
Depression — According to the National Alliance for the Mentally
Ill, the largest proportion of people that live with
depression are women between the ages of 18 and
45. Women who think they may be suffering from
depression should discuss their symptoms with their
healthcare provider. For more information about
depression, visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/
depressionmenu.cfm
Visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/family/ for more information about women’s health.
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