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Homeempowering women

Women’s Health

Staying healthy and well is one of the most important things women can do for themselves and for their loved ones, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways women can put their health first:

 

Stay Active

Regular exercise can help women boost their mood, maintain a healthy weight, and improve sleep. It also lowers risk for heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Women should speak with their doctor about what type of exercise is right for them.

Eat Healthy
Eating healthy can help women improve their health and prevent diseases. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Avoid having too much sodium, sugar, cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.
Get Regular Checkups
Regular checkups and wellness exams help women increase their chances of living a longer, healthier life. Women should check with their primary care provider about the care and screenings they need, and whether they should schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

Follow Recommended Screenings

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Maintain Healthy Levels
A well-rounded diet and regular exercise can help keep women’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at healthy levels. Women should talk to their primary care provider or heart specialist about safely reducing their risk and setting goals for a healthier heart.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking or using tobacco products greatly increases women’s risk of heart disease. Women who want to quit should speak to their primary care provider for help and to see if there are medications or nicotine replacement products that are right for them. Non-smokers who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol also have a greater risk of developing heart disease when they’re exposed to secondhand smoke.

More on Women's Health


Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Screening
10/25/2022 • Posted by Dr. Sharon McLaughlin, Dr. Kathie Rones, Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds

National-Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Month-2022-Fidelis-Care

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women. In the United States, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Although significant advancements in early detection and treatments have reduced the overall mortality rate, not all racial groups have benefitted equally. The incidence of late-stage diagnosis and overall mortality remains higher among certain minority groups, especially Black women.

 

What do we know

  • The mortality (death) rate which is the number of people who died of cancer per 100,000 people in a year is higher for Black people compared to white people. Taken age into consideration, the breast-cancer mortality is about 40% higher among Black women than among non-Hispanic women.
  • White women. For the same stage of breast cancer, Black women have a higher mortality.
  • Black women have shown to have a delay in treatment.
  • Black women are less likely to seek surgery compared to women of other racial groups. Mistrust of the medical community has been shown to influence how Black women manage their health.
  • The 5-year survival rate, which is the percentage of cancer patients who have not died from their cancer at 5 years after diagnosis, is higher for white women compared to Black women.
  • Low-income women have less access to early breast cancer screening and, therefore, a greater probability of late-stage diagnosis.

 

What are the factors that play a role in disparities?

  • Low income or worry about cost
  • Lack of access to care and transportation
  • Lack of knowledge of breast cancer risks and screening methods
  • Lack of childcare
  • Unable to miss work
  • Cultural and language differences
  • Lack of a recommendation to have a mammography
  • Longer periods of time in-between mammograms

 

What can help improve racial disparities

  • Insurance coverage. The screening prevalence, which is the percentage of people who have been screened for a certain kind of cancer, is higher for insured women compared to those who do not have insurance.
  • Offer to schedule cancer screenings
  • Reduce paperwork
  • Expand screening hours
  • Provide transportation
  • Provide translation services
  • Provide child care

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