Health: The Health Issues That Concern Women

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Enough ink has flown over the topic of women’s health and fitness. While more than half of the planet’s population is affected by the fatalities of cancer, HIV and the like, ones that can affect anyone and everyone irrespective of their age and gender; there are certain specific health issues that affect only women over the course of their lives. Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, PCOD, and cervical cancer are only a few of the many that have the potential to claim the lives of millions of women across the globe. Therefore, with centuries of history that shall corroborate the fact that the world has never made survival easy for women, it only makes sense that women know about the potential threats to their health and visit a doctor before the conditions exacerbate.

Breast Cancer

One of the major factors of death in women, breast cancer affects at least 1 in 8 women every year in the United States. The rates keep changing every year with the geography, but one thing that remains a constant is the monstrosity of this fatal disease. It is, therefore, imperative that women are made aware of the symptoms to be able to understand the onset of the disease and reach out for immediate medical intervention.

The Symptoms:

• A lump or more than one lump in one or more areas on the breast or in its proximity
• Change in color of the skin on or near the breast
• Change in the shape and structure of the breast
• Pain or swelling on the breast
• Any uncanny discharge from the nipples

Given the kind of life women live every day, the number of roles that they fit into, it is but natural to miss out on these signs. It is thus, supremely important that women run a self-diagnosis once every week. Any symptom from the aforementioned ones should not be ignored, and medical intervention should be sought for immediately. You can book a mammogram screening in Vernon, NJ and elsewhere by contacting your doctor and expressing your concerns.

Breast cancer does not have to deter your spirit and crush your will to live. It is curable, and especially when the malignant cells are still in situ. Therefore, all you lovely women out there, touch yourselves and be wary of the signs that your body sends you.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Disease {PCOS, PCOD}

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is quite common in women, and though it might not have immediate fatal effects, it severely affects the health of women within the reproductive age bracket. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome messes up with the menstrual cycle of women by resulting in irregular dates of menstruation and rough menstrual days. It is often accompanied by heavy or minimal flow and extreme pain. PCOS occurs when there are multiple ovarian cysts on the walls of an enlarged ovary, accompanied by an excess presence of androgens.

The Symptoms:

• Disruption in the menstrual cycle, irregular menstruation, often accompanied by excruciating pain in the lower abdomen
• Inability to conceive
• Unnatural and excess hair growth indicating a male pattern, which is also known as hirsutism, especially near the abdominal area, upper lips, and breasts
• A sudden outburst of acne and skin issues
• Male pattern baldness and hair fall

There can be several other symptoms of PCOD since the symptoms usually differ with age and physical makeup of women. However, on spotting any of the symptoms mentioned above, one must seek immediate medical help and prevent a more serious turn of events.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer, as the name suggests, is cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Though cervical cancer is quite rare compared to the other forms of cancer, its implications are fatal nevertheless. If not diagnosed and treated on time, cervical cancer shall metastasize at a surprisingly alarming rate and claim the life of the woman who has been incapacitated by it.

Cervical cancer occurs when the cells in the cervix multiply at abnormal rates and do not die off. The accumulated cells then gather together to form a tumor. It could be quite tricky to diagnose cervical cancer in its early stages since the symptoms are not vivid. However, it would do well to keep an eye out for any abnormalities in the body and visit a doctor for a thorough check-up.

The Symptoms:

• Vaginal discharge, accompanied by a foul odor
• Vaginal bleeding soon after sexual intercourse, which might or might not be accompanied by pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Having regular screening tests or PAP tests which detect the presence of the Human Papillomavirus {HPV} can lower the risk of developing cervical cancer. Women can also take up precautions against cervical cancer by practicing safe sex, getting the HPV test and vaccines, and by undergoing the PAP test at regular intervals.

Ovarian Cancer

The early signs of ovarian cancer, just like cervical cancer are not many, and thus, requires more attention to spot the danger signs. Ovarian cancer is the cancer of the ovaries and may not have any symptoms until the condition has exacerbated. However, a weather-eye must always be kept on one’s body, and every abnormal change in the health must be dealt with cautiously.

The Symptoms:

• Loss of appetite or feeling full even after a small meal
• Urinary infections or urgency to rush to the washroom to urinate at an alarmingly high frequency
• Pain in the pelvic region or the abdomen
• Bloating
• Abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle

Even though most of the aforementioned symptoms can be completely benign, it is always wise to track how persistent the symptoms are and how are they affecting the overall health of the woman.

Women have always been treated as lesser humans or sub-humans by the apparently stronger sex of society. They have enough battles to fight and brave with every passing breath, and health issues should be the last concern sabotaging their fight to equality. Thus, it is imperative that women are aware of the various health issues that could be endangering their lives, lest the bigger battles shall be lost even before they are fought.

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