Women’s Health Problems: Women are the cornerstone of a family, and the health of families and communities is tied to the health of women. The illness or death of a woman has far-reaching consequences for the health of her family and the community, too. Ensuring women recognise the signs and symptoms of common health issues and undergo regular screenings can lead to improved health for children and families.
Dr. Pallavi Panse, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jupiter Hospital, said, “Conditions like breast cancer, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), osteoporosis, cervical cancer, and heart disease affect millions, yet women delay getting help. Raising awareness and timely screening can save lives. Breast cancer is common among women, often presenting as a lump in the breast which may or may not be painful, changes in the size, shape or texture of the breast, like redness or dimpling and discharge from the nipple. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, difficulties with fertility, and various physical and emotional symptoms. Additionally, PCOS might be asymptomatic in some people, resulting in underdiagnosis until issues emerge.
Osteoporosis particularly affects older women who have passed menopause. The early stages of bone loss usually have no symptoms. However, after your bones have been affected, you may experience symptoms back pain, gradual height loss, a bent posture, and a bone that breaks much more easily than predicted. Cervical cancer ranks fourth among female cancers. The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, in post-menopausal women, discomfort during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge with a strong odour, vaginal discharge with blood, and pelvic pain. Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all other cancers combined. A heart attack in women can occur without the presence of chest pain. Common symptoms in women include neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or upper stomach discomfort; shortness of breath, arm pain, nausea or vomiting, and sweating, among others.”
Importance of Timely Screening
To improve women’s health, we need to address medical issues that commonly occur in women. Emphasising the role of timely screening, Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, CEO and Lead Medical Advisor: City X-Ray said, “Early detection can identify potential problems early when these conditions are manageable and relatively easier to treat without the need for invasive procedures.
Breast cancer screening can help discover the condition at an early stage, when the odds of survival are greatest. Mammography, professional breast examinations, and breast self-exams are the three most commonly used screening methods. PCOS diagnosis is frequently delayed due to a lack of awareness and difficult diagnostic criteria. Regular check-ups and understanding of potential risk factors are critical for the early diagnosis and treatment of this prevalent hormonal condition. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, and you often discover the condition when you break a bone. Women should undergo tests and screening procedures, including DEXA Scan, Blood tests, Bone turnover markers such as serum CTX and P1NP, Thyroid function tests, and Vitamin D levels to check their bone health. Regular cervical screening can help a person discover and treat signs of cancer before it starts or spreads too far. Even if a woman has been vaccinated against HPV, she should have regular Pap smears and/or HPV testing.
Lastly, screenings for heart diseases is crucial as it does not always cause symptoms. Blood testing, for example, can reveal whether you have high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or other heart disease risk factors. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can detect irregular cardiac rhythms or damage to the heart muscle.
While a stress test is useful for determining how well your heart handles physical exercise, an echocardiography can assist in discovering any problems by using sound waves to create images of the heart.”