May is Women’s Health Month, and doctors are reminding women of all ages to take simple steps to ensure they stay healthy and don’t let small problems turn into big problems.
Dr. Heather Figueroa is an OB-GYN with Corewell Health in St. Joseph. She tells us you might be surprised to learn about the biggest health threat facing women today.
“The number one killer of women is actually cardiovascular health,” Figueroa said. “That is something that even small simple things that women can do day to day can really add up to make a difference in the long-term health and longevity and quality of a woman’s life.”
Figueroa says things like taking regular walks and reducing salt and sugar intake can make a big difference. She says it’s also important to get those regular checkups to watch out for things like cancer.
“I find that a lot of women put off their health for a variety of reasons or they wait till things get really, really bad before they seek care. And what I hope to do is establish a relationship, a rapport with my relationship that we check in once a year, see how they’re doing.”
Dr. Figueroa says cervical cancer screenings should start around the age of 21, while regular mammograms should start around 40. But that also depends on family history. She says she’d have patients start those screenings earlier if they have a family history of cancer. The important thing is getting regular check-ups about once a year.
The National Cervical Cancer Coalition offers more information on Women’s Health Month right here.
