Spotlight on Women's Health

Every woman deserves to thrive. That means handling stress, getting good health care, and nurturing themselves. “Women need to be in charge of their health: work in partnership with their doctors, educate themselves on health risks, and pay close attention to their bodies,” says Dr. Corinne Nawrocki, family practice physician at Silver Cross Hospital.

Join Dr. Nawrocki for a Spotlight on Women’s Health on Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.  Women will learn the facts about cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and how you can prevent them. A drawing will be held for a free Baseline Cardiovascular Risk Assessment. Visit www.Imatter.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) to register to attend this free program.

While some illnesses cannot be prevented, it is important for women to know the risk factors and symptoms for the most common diseases. Being proactive and discussing screenings with your physician makes good health sense, and can help detect an illness at an earlier stage. Some of the most common illnesses in women are heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is still the leading killer for women. However, the bigger danger is the growing number of women who continue to remain undiagnosed for heart disease. This is why it is so important for women to stay in tune with their bodies and recognize the symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain, but also less noticeable symptoms such as jaw pain, shoulder ache, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath.

Another illness women need to be concerned about is Breast cancer because it is the most common cancer in women. Early prevention habits including an annual mammogram and daily self-breast exams can be lifesaving. While cancer can be frightening, it can be treated. Early detection of breast cancer greatly improves your odds for survival. That's because the smaller the cancer is when it's found, the better the chance for a surgical cure. Smaller breast cancers are also less likely to have spread to lymph nodes and other organs such as the lungs and brain.

In addition, Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and fragile. It's caused by bone loss, which accelerates in women after menopause. Over 68% of women suffer from Osteoporosis in America, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. However, this disease is largely preventable. Adequate calcium conception and weight-bearing physical activity are essential to building and maintaining strong, healthy bones.

"Your body will do what it can to repair itself, but you have to provide the tools for it, such as annual checkups, a healthy diet, and physical activity," says Dr. Nawrocki. “The key is to really listen to your body.”