A Woman's Place

-- Jc Drobac

...is anywhere we want it to be: Competent and successful in the office; practical and savvy at home. A woman’s place is both where she’s feeling powerful and where she’s feeling out of control. She’s got it down, and can often maneuver gracefully through a situation—but she is also true to herself and knows her own limitations and areas that could stand some “toning.”

Read on in the months ahead as we grapple with challenging, strengthening and even reinventing ourselves by looking at relationships (with ourselves, our family, friends and coworkers); our bodies and how to improve and accept them lovingly (starting now!); living up to our own personal legacies, and the reality of dealing with day-to-day events.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and what better way to celebrate women than to hit the ground running with the most important aspect of any woman: our health. Since so many women are caregivers, keeping on top of our own health is the best way to ensure that we can continue to give to others.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month began 20 years ago, educating women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. It’s Web site offers helpful information for those with breast cancer, and for friends and family of present or past breast cancer patients. This year, National Mammography Day is Oct. 21. For more info on how to perform a monthly breast self-exam, or about a mammography, go to http://www.nbcam.com. Let’s stack the deck in our favor against the number three killer of women by playing an active role in our own health care.

For more protective measures in empowering ourselves with good health, the guidelines below, offered by The National Women’s Health Resource Center (http://www.healthywomen.org) break it down, decade by decade, listing health screenings, examinations and immunizations recommendations for keeping women healthy. Print a copy for yourself and give copies to the other health-minded women in your life.

In your 20s:

Pap test for cervical cancer: All women should begin cervical cancer screening after becoming sexually active—none later than 21 years old.
Clinical breast exam: About every three years; breast self-exams should begin now.
Chlamydia test: If sexually active, every year until age 25. If you have a history of chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs), or you or your partner have had multiple sex partners, you may need to be screened for other STIs/STDs.
Blood pressure test for high blood pressure (hypertension): Beginning at age 21, every one to two years.
Cholesterol: Begin at age 20; repeat every five years or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease or diabetes, or if your cholesterol level is above normal.
Blood glucose/diabetes screening: Ask your health care professional about your risks for diabetes and what you can do to prevent it.
Dental exam: Once or twice a year for check-ups and teeth cleanings.
Complete eye exam: Once between ages 20-29. (Exception: If you have vision problems, family history of eye problems, history of an eye injury or have diabetes, you should be seen more frequently by an eye-care specialist.)
Skin exam for skin cancer: Examine your skin once a month for changes, such as moles that change color, shape or size, and ask your health care professional how often you should have your skin examined by a medical professional.
Immunizations: Review your immunizations with your doctor and follow through on any that are lacking. Common immunizations to inquire about during your 20’s are Tetanus, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Varicela (chickenpox), Meningococcal and Hepatitis B.

In your 20s:

Pap test for cervical cancer: All women should begin cervical cancer screening after becoming sexually active—none later than 21 years old.
Clinical breast exam: About every three years; breast self-exams should begin now.
Chlamydia test: If sexually active, every year until age 25. If you have a history of chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs), or you or your partner have had multiple sex partners, you may need to be screened for other STIs/STDs.
Blood pressure test for high blood pressure (hypertension): Beginning at age 21, every one to two years.
Cholesterol: Begin at age 20; repeat every five years or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease or diabetes, or if your cholesterol level is above normal.
Blood glucose/diabetes screening: Ask your health care professional about your risks for diabetes and what you can do to prevent it.
Dental exam: Once or twice a year for check-ups and teeth cleanings.
Complete eye exam: Once between ages 20-29. (Exception: If you have vision problems, family history of eye problems, history of an eye injury or have diabetes, you should be seen more frequently by an eye-care specialist.)
Skin exam for skin cancer: Examine your skin once a month for changes, such as moles that change color, shape or size, and ask your health care professional how often you should have your skin examined by a medical professional.
Immunizations: Review your immunizations with your doctor and follow through on any that are lacking. Common immunizations to inquire about during your 20’s are Tetanus, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Varicela (chickenpox), Meningococcal and Hepatitis B.

In your 30s:

Pap test for cervical cancer: If you’ve had three Pap tests in a row with normal results, you can opt to get screened every two to three years. Testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is associated with cervical cancer, is suggested. If both your Pap test and your HPV test are negative, you won’t need another HPV test for three years.
Clinical breast exam: Yearly. Your doctor or other health care professional will examine your breasts for any abnormalities. This exam often is part of the annual gynecologic examination. Remember to do the monthly breast self-exam, too! For breast self-exam instruction, visit http://www.komen.org/bse.
Blood pressure test for hypertension: Every one to two years.
Cholesterol: Every five years (or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease).
Thyroid test (TSH): At 35, then every five years.
Dental exam: Once or twice a year.
Complete eye exam: Twice between the ages of 30 and 39, unless high risk.
Skin exam for skin cancer: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you have your skin examined at least every three years until age 39; then every year thereafter. Recommendations include doing a monthly mole self-exam and practicing sun safety to reduce your risk of damaging your skin and developing skin cancer. If you have had skin cancer or have a relative with a history of melanoma, ask your health care professional for guidance.
Immunizations: Review your immunizations with your doctor and follow through on any that are lacking. Common immunizations to inquire about during your 30’s are Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.