Have You Had Your Health Screenings?

Greetings Divas! As you may know, this week is National Women's Health Week! In honor of this week, I've decided that the Chronicles should encourage Professional Divas to make their health a top priority. Today I want to focus on preventative screenings that women should focus on during various stages of their lives. 

A few month back, I focused on a few of these screening in a Chronicle Quickie. This time, I would like to add a few screenings to the list...screenings that Office of Women's Health recommend for women. Now, this post is a little longer than usual, but it's full of useful information...I swear! Check them out, and feel free to add any thoughts in the comment section below. Enjoy!

Mammogram and Breast Examination – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races. As such, the American Cancer Society recommends the following breast screening guidelines for most adults:

• Starting at the age of 40, women should have yearly mammograms so long as the woman is in good health;
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam about every 3 years;
• Women should conduct regular breast self-exams starting in their 20s;
• All women should know how their breast normally look and feel, and should immediately report any breast change to their health care provider. 

Please note that there are different breast screening recommendations based on a woman’s family history, genetic tendencies, or other factors. These women should speak with their doctor about the need for additional tests.

Bone Mineral Density Test - According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), 80% of those affected by osteoporosis are women...yikes! In addition to getting the adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D and doing regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises, the NOF recommends talking to your healthcare provider regarding having a bone density test. This test, evaluates your risk of breaking bones before the fact, uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The NOF recommends that women aged 65 and older have a bone density test. Additionally, the NOF suggests that postmenopausal women under age 65 who have risk factors for osteoporosis consider getting a bone density test as well.

Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams – According to the CDC, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of death from cervical cancer has significantly decreased over the past 40 years. This decline is largely attributed to women getting regular Pap tests and pelvic examinations. These tests are successful in finding cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer. As such, this screening is a MUST for women! The American Cancer Society recommends the following cervical screening guidelines for most adults:

• All women should begin screening for cervical cancer about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years old. These screenings should occur every year with the regular Pap test, or every 2 years using the liquid-based Pap test; 
• Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years;
• Women older than 30 may get screened every 3 years with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test, plus the human papilloma virus (HPV) test;
• Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having Pap tests;
• Women who have had a total hysterectomy may choose to stop having Pap tests, unless the hysterectomy was performed as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer; and
• Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to have regular Pap tests.

Again, there are different cervical screening recommendations based on a woman’s family history, genetic tendencies, or other factors. These women should speak with their doctor about the need for additional tests.

Colorectal Cancer Screening - According to the CDC, 69,917 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2007, which accounts for about 49% of all newly-diagnosed cases (my math is horrible but I think I got it right). The CDC recommends that women aged 50 years and older have regular colorectal cancer screenings.

Blood Pressure Screening – Fact: High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke, which are the 1^st and 3^rd leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. Fact: High blood pressure can also lead to congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Fact: One out of three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. Fact: High blood pressure is preventable! How you ask? In addition to adopting a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active, getting your blood pressure checked regularly is a great step towards prevention. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends that women have their blood pressure checked at least every 2 years, so get tested!

Cholesterol Screening – Did you know that in the United States, more women than men have high cholesterol? According to the CDC, 10.3% of women age 20-34 and 12.7% of women age 35-44 suffer from high cholesterol. Need more numbers? Well, 19.7% of women age 45-54 suffer from high cholesterol. The interesting thing is that high cholesterol usually exhibits no signs or symptoms, but can increase your risk for health disease. How do you know if your cholesterol is high? You get a blood test! The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that healthy adults have their cholesterol levels every 5 years. Have you had yours?

The National Women's Health Week website has an awesome interactive screening chart for women. I encourage you all to check it out!

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4 Important Health Screenings For Women

Greetings Divas! And welcome to the week before the week leading up to Christmas. While I know you guys are busy shopping and preparing for the holiday season, I hope that you find a few minutes to read this post in its entirety, as it provides information on a very important topic: Women’s Health!

Now I am not a doctor in any shape or form, but I do have a great relationship with my primary physician. So great in fact that I often talk with him about different types of health-related screenings for women. In having these discussions with my doctor, and the nurse practitioners in his office, I have learned of a long list of health screening that all women should have, but neglect to get…hence the reason for this post! 

In the spirit of sharing, please accept this list of the 4 important health-screenings that all women should have, and why. For all of my Professional Divas in the medical field, please feel free to comment on this list and/or add additional screenings. I would love for this to be an open forum for us to exchange information that is beneficial to our health, so help me out and spread the word!

Mammogram and Breast Examination – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races. As such, the American Cancer Society recommends the following breast screening guidelines for most adults:

• Starting at the age of 40, women should have yearly mammograms so long as the woman is in good health;
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam about every 3 years;
• Women should conduct regular breast self-exams starting in their 20s;
• All women should know how their breast normally look and feel, and should immediately report any breast change to their health care provider. 

Please note that there are different breast screening recommendations based on a woman’s family history, genetic tendencies, or other factors. These women should speak with their doctor about the need for additional tests.

Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams – According to the CDC, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of death from cervical cancer has significantly decreased over the past 40 years. This decline is largely attributed to women getting regular Pap tests and pelvic examinations. These tests are successful in finding cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer. As such, this screening is a MUST for women! The American Cancer Society recommends the following cervical screening guidelines for most adults:

 

• All women should begin screening for cervical cancer about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years old. These screenings should occur every year with the regular Pap test, or every 2 years using the liquid-based Pap test; 
• Beginning at age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years;
• Women older than 30 may get screened every 3 years with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test, plus the human papilloma virus (HPV) test;
• Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having Pap tests;
• Women who have had a total hysterectomy may choose to stop having Pap tests, unless the hysterectomy was performed as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer; and
• Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to have regular Pap tests.

Again, there are different cervical screening recommendations based on a woman’s family history, genetic tendencies, or other factors. These women should speak with their doctor about the need for additional tests.

Blood Pressure Screening – Fact: High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke, which are the 1^st and 3^rd leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. Fact: High blood pressure can also lead to congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Fact: One out of three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. Fact: High blood pressure is preventable! How you ask? In addition to adopting a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active, getting your blood pressure checked regularly is a great step towards prevention. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends that women have their blood pressure checked at least every 2 years, so get tested!

Cholesterol Screening – Did you know that in the United States, more women than men have high cholesterol? According to the CDC, 10.3% of women age 20-34 and 12.7% of women age 35-44 suffer from high cholesterol. Need more numbers? Well, 19.7% of women age 45-54 suffer from high cholesterol. The interesting thing is that high cholesterol usually exhibits no signs or symptoms, but can increase your risk for health disease. How do you know if your cholesterol is high? You get a blood test! The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that healthy adults have their cholesterol levels every 5 years. Have you had yours?

Okay Divas, these are my four. I challenge you all to take control of your health, meet with your team of medical professionals, and schedule the necessary tests. I hope that you all have learned a little something from this post. Again, I want this to be an open forum for an exchange of beneficial health information, so please spread the word!

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Beat Breast Cancer!

Divas get in here! I’ve got something very important to share with you. Have any of you heard of the Breast Examination Center of Harlem? If not, you are in for a real treat! As we all know, breast cancer is a devastating disease that has affected many of us, either directly or indirectly. What we all should know is that one way to fight breast cancer is routine testing and early detection.

Since 1979, the Breast Examination Center of Harlem (“BECH”), an outreach program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has screened over 200,000 women for breast cancer. Amazing, right? What’s more amazing is that there are still so many women, and men, in the NYC area that are unaware of the services offered by BECH. (WHAT!!!)  So here’s what I want all of my fellow Professional Divas to do: please share this information with everyone you know in the NYC area about BECH. With your help, we can spread the message that early detection is one of the keys to fighting this disease.

As I suspect, Professional Divas are always keen on doing research before we put information out into the universe. As such, here is a list of free, high quality services offered by BECH:

Breast-Cancer Screening - One of BECH’s specially trained nurse practitioners will give you a physical examination. She will feel your breasts and underarms for lumps or anything else unusual. Every woman should see a health-care professional for this kind of exam every year. 

Mammograms - BECH offers mammography, a procedure which uses x-rays to produce a picture of the breast. Mammography is the most widely used method for detecting breast cancer.

Pelvic Examinations and Pap Smears - During the pelvic examination, a nurse practitioner will gently press on your abdomen to feel the organs in your pelvis (uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum) for anything unusual about their size or shape. During this exam, she will also take a few cells from your cervix to check for cancer or other conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases. This test is called a Pap smear.  

Counseling - If the nurse finds a lump or anything else unusual in your breasts or if the results of your Pap smear are not normal, one of our counselors will give you advice about other tests or procedures we may recommend. The counselor will carefully explain the test or procedure to you; she will also advise you about getting a second opinion before choosing treatment. She will encourage you to ask questions and to tell her about any concerns you may have. And she will give you some written material that will help explain these recommendations to you and your family.

Patient Follow-up - If all of your test results at BECH are normal, you will be advised to return to BECH in a year for routine cancer screening. If you are at high risk for developing cancer, because other women in your family have had breast cancer, for instance, or if BECH recommends more tests, BECH will set up an appointment for you to come back sooner for a follow-up visit.

Education - During your visit, BECH will show you how to do simple, at-home exams of your breasts every month. BECH also takes their educational programs in breast self-examination (BSE) techniques to many places in the community. Video presentations, workshops, and seminars on BSE and other women's health issues have been held throughout New York in churches, senior-citizen centers, schools, businesses, street fairs, even detention centers. If you are interested in having BECH come to your church or other group, please call the health educator at (212) 531-8000.

More About BECH

The Breast Examination Center of Harlem houses 15 full-time staff, comprised of the Program Director, a health educator, mammography technicians, patient navigators, session assistants, plus other administrative support staff. The Breast Examination Center of Harlem has received many awards for its outreach accomplishments, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Certificate of Merit.

Please note that some tests or procedures, such as removal of lumps, are not done at BECH, but they can help you make arrangements for them. If you need one of these tests, your counselor will explain the test to you, give you advice, and discuss any of your questions or concerns. She will also give you information about where you can get these tests. If you wish, she will make the appointment for you.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact BECH at:

163 West 125th Street, Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10027

(212) 531-8000.

Also, please visit The Breast Examination Center of Harlem’s website at:  

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/8506.cfm

This is SUPER IMPORTANT! 

Please help me spread the word!

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Hot App Alert!!

Good Evening Divas! I hope that your week has gotten off to a great start. Tonight, I want to share with you the fabulous new app I found for my iPad. As I mentioned last week, I recently purchased the Whole Living Smoothies App by Martha Stewart….and I LOVE it! I love it so much that I have had a different smoothie for breakfast for the past 2 weeks. The recipes are fun and easy, and they taste really good! Now, I’ve noticed that many of you Divas have been avidly working towards achieving better health and fitness…this app is perfect for you!

The app costs $1.99, and can be purchased on the iTunes App Store. For that price, you receive 12 Essential Smoothie Recipes, 12 Meal-In-A-Glass Smoothie Recipes, and 12 Allergen Free Smoothie Recipes. In addition to these recipes, you also have access to How-To videos, a food glossary detailing the health benefits of a host of smoothie ingredients, and nutritional information for each smoothie. The app also gives tips on buying organic and detoxing. You can even send a smoothie recipe to a friend via email or share it on Facebook.  And, for an additional $0.99 a piece, you can purchase 12 Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes and 12 Detox Smoothie Recipes. Do I sound like an infomercial?

The truth is, I really love this app, and I would be remiss if I did not share it with my fellow Divas. If you decide to check out this app, please let me know how you like it. Enjoy!

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P90X vs. Insanity

Spring is here! Sought of. Beach weather is right around the corner, and I know many of you may be looking for a quick and effective way to shed a few pounds before shedding your clothes. Two of the hottest fitness plans on the market today are the P90X and Insanity Workout Plans. Both of these plans boast serious results in a little as 90 (P90X) or 60 (Insanity) days.  But which one is right for you? Well….in the spirit of sharing, I have compiled a quick summary/comparison of the two plans. Take a look, and see which one suits you. 

P90X

Website: P90X Official Website

Length: 90 Days (You read it right! That’s 3 months! You’d be done by June!)

Equipment Needed: Dumbbells or Resistance Bands, Pull Up Bar, Yoga Mat, Yoga Blocks, a Sturdy Chair, Water, and a Towel

What You Get: 12 Workout DVDS, Fitness Guide, 3-Phase Nutrition Plan, and Workout Calendar

Cost: $119.85 (You can break it up into 3 monthly payments)

What’s All the Hype About?: The Power 90 Extreme Workout, affectionately called P90X, is a fitness program that combines cardiovascular and strength training, as well as yoga, plyometrics, and stretching to make a healthier and sexier you in 90 days. P90X focuses on the concept of “muscle confusion,” which prevents the body from adapting to any one activity, and reduces the chances of hitting a plateau. The program has 12 workout DVDs, each of which target a different muscle group. In order to get the full impact of the program, users are required to workout 6 days a week (with 1 day of rest) for 13 weeks. You would need anywhere from 60 to 105 minutes to complete the workout, depending on which DVD you are working on. P90X also gives the option of following the original or the Lean plan. The plan also urges users to follow the accompanying nutrition plan to achieve maximum results. Before beginning on this workout, be sure to mentally prepare yourself for the daily workouts. I suggest starting the plan with a workout buddy to keep you motivated. Also, be sure to strictly follow the fitness plan.

Insanity

Website: Insanity Workout Official Website

Length: 60 Days (You’d be done by May!)

Equipment Needed: A Mat, Water (lots of it), and 2 Towels (One for you, and one to clean up the pool of sweat on the floor)

What You Get: 10 Workout DVDs, Elite Nutrition Plan, Fitness Guide, and Insanity Calendar

Cost: $119.85 (You can break it up into 3 monthly payments)

What’s All the Hype About?: The Insanity Workout uses strenuous, cardiovascular training to improve one’s fitness in 60 days. Insanity focuses on the concept of “max interval training,” which requires users to workout strenuously for about 3 to 4 minutes, followed by a period of rest for about 30 seconds…and then repeat! The program has 10 workout DVDs that focus on plyometric drills, non-stop interval training, and ab/core training moves. The workouts average about 45 minutes per day (not too bad!). Like P90X, the Insanity workout requires users to workout 6 days a week (with 1 day of rest). Additionally, the plan urges users to follow a nutrition plan to achieve the best results. Again, having a workout buddy may help to keep you motivated. And following the fitness plan is key!

There you have it! Just a quick synopsis of these two popular fitness plans. For more information and to read reviews for each plan, please be sure to visit each website. Also, if you have done either of these fitness plans, please share with everyone by commenting below. Happy Almost Summer!

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