Womens Health Risks

The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer and osteoporosis is increasing.

According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women and each year more than 211,000 women are diagnosed with the disease.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1.5

million Americans currently have osteoporosis, with women being four times more likely than men to contract the disease. It is important for women to be aware of the risk factors associated with each disease in order to take proper precautions.

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. Research, however, has shown women with certain risk factors are more susceptible to developing the disease. Breast cancer risk factors can be separated into two categories: risk factors that cannot be changed and risk factors that can be changed.

Risk factors impervious to change are age, family medical history, racial background, mutations, atypical tissue changes in the breast, previous breast cancer and menopause after the age of 55. The chances of developing breast cancer increases as women get older. A woman also is more at risk of developing the disease if any of her family members were diagnosed with the disease. Research also has shown Caucasian women are more at risk of contracting breast cancer than Latina, Asian or African American women.

There are controllable risk factors, which include not having children or having children later in life, use of post-menopausal therapy, alcohol consumption, smoking, excess weight and lack of exercise. Researchers are currently studying the effects of diet, physical activity and genetics on breast cancer risk. However, regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and weight control can lower the risk of developing breast cancer.

It is important for women to regularly screen for breast cancer. This can be accomplished in three ways. One is through a mammogram, which is having an x-ray of the breast. This is the best tool a physician has of detecting breast cancer early. Women in their 40s should have a mammogram every one to two years. The other two ways of screening for breast cancer is through either a clinical breast exam or by a self-breast exam. Symptoms include changes in how the breast or nipple feels, such as a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area. Also, changes in how the breast or nipple looks such as changes in size or shape. Regular screenings are important because early detection of breast cancer can prevent further development. Advanced stages can result in chemotherapy, surgery and even death.

Osteoporosis is a condition weakening the bones and increasing the risk of breaks and fractures. There are no symptoms of osteoporosis. The disease occurs in any of the body's bones, but is most common in the hips, wrists and spine. Signs of osteoporosis in the spine include sloping shoulders, curve in the back, height loss, back pain, hunched posture and protruding abdomen. Risk factors include being female, having a small thin body, family history, being post-menopausal, diet low in calcium and vitamin D, lack of physical activity, smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Women are more susceptible to developing the disease because they lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass after menopause.

Women can take several steps to lower their risk of developing osteoporosis. One is by eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D which help to build strong bones. Women should also engage in weight bearing exercises such as jogging, aerobics and resistance training. Women develop 40 percent of their bone mass in their teen years so it is important to start practicing healthy habits at an early age. Women should also regularly get bone density tests to measure bone strength and loss of bone mass.