There's a lot of truth to the old adage 'your health is your wealth' and even though you may feel great now, that doesn't mean that you can take it for granted. As many conditions don't become apparent until they get quite serious, it always pays to be ahead of the game and make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
So, next time you have a minute, schedule an appointment with your doctor and make sure to ask these questions.
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1) When am I due to have a cervical smear?
In Ireland, Cervical Check offers free smear tests to women between 25 and 60 but new figures have shown that three in ten women are still not attending their examination, putting them at an increased risk of cervical cancer. This is a cancer of the cells of the cervix and affects hundreds of women in Ireland every year. The smear test takes just minutes, only needs to be carried out every two years and could save your life through early diagnosis. It may be a little uncomfortable but will give you a good excuse to treat yourself afterwards! Talk to your GP or log on to
cervicalcheck.ie for details.
2) Can you show me how to check my breasts?
Men may be more than willing but women are a little less enthusiastic about copping a feel of their assets, even though it is an essential part of health maintenance. Breast cancer targets over 2,000 women in Ireland annually and can be spotted early through a simple examination of your breasts in the shower each morning. Look out for any changes to your breasts including any unusual lumps and consult your GP immediately with any concerns. If you're unsure about how to check yourself, ask your doc for a quick demonstration or see
breastcheck.ie.
3) Am I using the right contraceptive?
It is vitally important to be vigilant about your contraceptive methods, both from a pregnancy and a health perspective. There are so many options available from condoms and intra-uterine devices to combination pills and a good GP will be able to talk you through them all to find the best choice for you. Unfortunately, taking the contraceptive pill can also increase the likelihood of suffering from blood clots and some cancers so your doctor will also keep an eye on indicators such as blood pressure to make sure all is safe and well.
4) Is my body getting everything it needs?
Busy lifestyles and the growing popularity of convenience foods can mean that proper nutrition falls down the list of priorities. This may lead to low levels of iron or vitamins in the blood and leave you feeling tired, weak and under the weather, so getting some blood tests done will give an instant snapshot of how your body is doing. Some women are also genetically prone to issues such as B12 deficiency so it always pays to keep an eye on things and make sure you have enough energy to handle both work and play!
5) Am I at risk of osteoporosis?
Women are much more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men and this silent disease affects the strength and thickness of your bones. A number of factors including genetics and undereating increase the risk of contracting osteoporosis so ask your doctor if there is anything more than you can be doing to lower your chances.
