National Women’s Health Week

As part of National Women’s Health Week, May 8 through 14, we’ve decided to remind American women of important ways to keep themselves healthy.

The theme for 2011 is “It’s Your Time” – a time for women to make their health their top priority. National Women’s Health Week, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health has dedicated this week to encourage women to take the necessary steps to improve their physical and mental health in an effort to reduce their risks of certain diseases. Three things we care about are:

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is most common form of cancer among women of all races in the United States, and the second leading cause of death. (1) Make a breast exam part of your monthly routine, and upon irregular symptoms in your breasts such as swelling, discoloration or lumps see a doctor immediately. If you’re over 40 or at a high risk of developing breast cancer have mammograms done annually.

Stop smoking

Even though lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, today nearly one in five American women smoke. Smoking has been related to serious health problems including cancers of the lung, throat, mouth, voice box, stomach and blood, among other diseases of the lung and heart, osteoporosis and stroke. You know all of that though, but did you know after 20 minutes of quitting your heart rate drops? After 12 hours toxic gas in your blood level drops back to normal? And after 10 years your risk of developing lung cancer is nearly the same as someone who never smoked. Click here for more information on why and how to quit.

Take time for yourself

Eat a nutritious meal, activate your body and rest. Your mental and physical health are more important than anything else in the world. People depend on you, and without a sound mind your daily tasks may be hard, if not impossible to do. Your body and mind may feel imbalanced if you are not getting the right nutrients, sleep or amount of exercise. Take time for yourself and recognize your needs. Learn more about ways to seek help or get more information on women’s mental health here.

For more information on National Women’s Health Week visit www.womenshealth.gov. While you’re there, make sure you are up to date on your health screenings.