by Dr. Sol Sernal
We all want to enjoy a happy, healthy life! We may know what we need to do but it’s just too hard to begin. Having healthy, holiday habits don’t just happen. You have to start somewhere, practice everyday and persist!
Nowadays, there are so many things we enjoy that we want to spend on. There is nothing wrong with that but let’s not forgot the more important things we need to do.
Women should be conscious of their health, even while they are young. Avoiding vices such as smoking cigarettes, regularly drinking alcoholic beverages and using prohibited drugs would be wise. Having their first sexual contact at a young age or having multiple sexual partners can make them a high risk for cervical cancer.
Women should have at least annual check-ups and work-ups as recommended by their attending physician. They should remember to keep record of the first day of their menses. This is important when they are family planning and when they consult their Ob-Gyne. Once a woman becomes sexually active, she is encouraged to have annual Pap smear, and transvaginal ultrasound which are evaluated after their menstrual period. It will show if there are infections or problems in the uterus and ovaries. Doing so would mean early diagnosis and treatment. They should also perform self-breast examination which is usually done the week after their menstrual cycle.
As women mature and age, they should be aware of any diseases that run in their family such as diabetes and hypertension. Knowing this history should make them aware if they need to refrain from eating certain foods or change practices that will precipitate the early occurrence of the disease. They should include work-ups for these diseases as well. It is also good for them to have immunization, like Flu vaccine annually.
As one reaches 40 years of age, it is recommended that they have mammography at least once if the initial is unremarkable but maybe done more often when mass and tumor are noted. Women prior to their menopausal age should start storing calcium since during menopause, osteoporosis is likely to happen.
For people having family history of cancer, they should also have early and regular screening, for prevention and early diagnosis and treatment.
