StopGettingSick TeamQ. What is pelvic inflammatory (“in-flam-ma-tor-ee”) disease (PID)? A. PID is an infection of a woman’s uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. Untreated, PID can cause infertility (not being able to...
Ovarian Cancer
Q. What is ovarian cancer? A. Ovarian cancer is a serious disease in which some cells in your ovaries become abnormal (unhealthy), multiply out of control, and can damage healthy parts of your body. Women have the best...
Osteoporosis
Q. What is osteoporosis? A. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. People with osteoporosis have bones that become weak and can break easily. Osteoporosis affects mostly older women, but older men can get it too. It...
Mammograms
Q. What is a mammogram? A. A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms can find breast cancer that is too small for you, your doctor, or nurse to feel. Finding breast cancer when it is small means that you...
Heart Disease
Q. Do women really need to worry about heart disease? A. Yes. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. More than 250,000 women die each year from heart disease. In addition, one out of ten...
Folic Acid
Q. What is folic acid? A. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. Folic acid is found in oranges, grapefruits, lemons, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and lentils. You also can get folic acid by eating cereals...
Eating Disorders
Q. What are eating disorders? A. Eating disorders are very unhealthy ways of eating that can lead to serious illness and death. Each year, millions of people in the United States suffer from eating disorders. Three of...
Cervical Cancer
Q. What is cervical cancer? A. Cervical cancer is a serious disease in which some cells in your cervix become abnormal (unhealthy), multiply out of control, and can damage healthy parts of your body. The cervix is the...
Breast Cancer
Q. What is breast cancer? A. Breast cancer is a serious disease in which some cells in your breast become abnormal (unhealthy), multiply out of control, and can damage healthy parts of your body. Breast cancer can be in...
Monthly Breast Self-Examinations
The American Cancer Society suggests all women over the age of 20 should examine their breasts once a month. The best way for women to discover a lump early is to take the time to know her own breasts and to examine...
Mammography – Questions and Answers for Informed Patients
What is a mammogram? A mammogram (also called a mammography exam) is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. A high-quality mammogram is the most effective tool for detecting breast cancer early. Early detection of breast...
Breast Cancer Overview
General Information Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Screening for Breast Cancer; Prevention of Breast Cancer; and Male Breast Cancer Treatment are also available. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer, a common cancer in...
Breast Cancer Glossary
General Information Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Screening for Breast Cancer; Prevention of Breast Cancer; and Male Breast Cancer Treatment are also available. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer, a common cancer in...
DDT, PCBs Not Linked to Higher Rates of Breast Cancer, an Analysis Concludes
Scientists who combined data from five large breast cancer studies have found no link to the pesticide DDT or to PCBs, a widespread industrial chemical. Both were suspect because they are chemicals in the environment...
HHS Approves Nine State Plans to Extend Medicaid Coverage to Women with Breast, Cervical Cancer
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved nine new states’ requests to extend Medicaid benefits to uninsured women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through a federal screening program...
Study confirms breast cancer risk in continuous combined hormone therapy
Risk begins to return to normal after women stop taking hormones Researchers confirmed that a daily, combined dose of estrogen and progestin increases breast cancer risk in post menopausal women, but added that this...
Researchers Examine Bio-Magnetic Sensors
Doctors in the future might be able to diagnose breast and ovarian cancer or Alzheimer’s disease using magnetism and microscopic particles of iron oxide bound to the type of cells being traced. A team led by Dr...
Q. What check-ups and tests do i need and how often should I get them?
Test Frequency Blood pressure measurements every 1-2 years Breast Exams monthly SELF exams; annual physician Mammography after age 40, every 1-2 years; check with your doctor for your personal risk needs Cholesterol...
