Women’s Health

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to highlight preterm birth and the health issues it poses for infants and mothers. What defines prematurity? A term pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks. A premature baby is an infant that is born before 37 weeks gestation. A 2024 March of Dimes report shows that one in 10 babies are born premature every year. Often, people do not understand that premature babies are not just smaller in size, they can have many issues that range from immature lungs to developmental delays.

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the many types of abuse that affect people across all communities. In observance of the month, Fidelis Care checked in with partners at We All Really Matter in New York City and Unity House in Troy to discuss how we can stand united in raising awareness and promoting resources for prevention and intervention.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in New York State. Each year in New York, more than 16,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 2,500 women die from the disease. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Women at ages 40 to 74 years old should have this test every one or two years. Ask your PCP when you should get a mammogram.

September is Healthy Aging Month. It’s a time to reflect on ways to improve health and quality of life into our golden years. Physical activity and exercise are very important for health at any age. Staying active is even more important as we get older.

What is ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the ovary. It can spread throughout the body. It is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. There are different types of ovarian cancer. The most common type of ovarian cancer is abnormal growth of the cells on the surface of the ovary, and is called epithelial ovarian cancer.