Breast Exams, Vitamins & Pap Smears

Breast Exams, Vitamins and Pap Smears

In Issue 1 we touched on the importance of regular breast exams, vitamins, and pap smears.

The importance of Pap Smears & Breast Exams.

A Pap Smear is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women and girls. The importance of this test is to detect early on cancer with hopes that if you have it, it can be treated before it turns into something even more serious. Women are recommended to start screens at 21 years of age, and every 3 years following. Women over the age of 30 are often tested every 5 years if being tested for HPV.

Some girls are given this test as young as 16 depending on their doctor's recommendations. Girls and women who are still a Virgin, sometimes are excused until their sexual active because of the kind of procedure.

Breast Cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Sadly, many don't get the yearly screenings that are needed to maintain a healthy checkup. Most women begin having annual mammograms at age 40. The importance is to detect any signs of cancer or swollen, infected lump notes, or tumors. If you're under the recommended age for a mammogram, it may be harder to get one, but you can also check yourself to make sure nothing is abnormal.

Stand up straight looking into a mirror to examine how your breast look standing. Check to see if your nipples aren't too different from each other, lift your breast checking for softness around the bottom curve. Any hardness is a sign to see a doctor right away!

Lying down on your bed, the breast tissue spreads out, making it thinner and easier to feel. Using three of your fingers ( includes middle finger ) place them at the top of your breast. Choose one direction and slowly but firmly press into your breast as you move around the edge of your breast. Moving into the center of your breast make sure to check your nipple for any abnormal changes.

What's Normal?

During our menstrual cycle, our bodies change including our breast. Some experience fuller, harder breasts with thicker nipples. That's normal if it doesn't stay longer than your menstrual cycle. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice/feel a hard lump or knot anywhere on your breast or under your arm. Dimples, bulges or any other strange dips on your breast. If your nipples have become pushed in instead of out. Swelling, pain, skin sores, leaking nipples, or pain. Did you know that most women don't take vitamins? While eating healthy is great for our bodies, sometimes adding multivitamins can boost our health and keep us feeling even better! Below we list a group of Vitamins that are recommended by a doctor for women to try.

What vitamins should women take daily?

Omega-3 | Fish? YES! Fatty fish like Salmon and Tuna hold lots of healthy Omega-3. Eating or taking capsules with Omega-3 can help with Arthritis, Joint Pain, Inflammation, and Heart Disease.

Fiber | Doctors always suggest eating more fiber to help with maintaining healthy bowels. Most women fall short on consuming enough of the vitamin which can also help with those with blood sugar issues. Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans

Melatonin | One of the most recommended for women since it helps keep a healthy habit for our brain's health in regulating our sleep schedule. You can find Melatonin in Tablets and capsules, but if you're not someone who likes these you can add more spinach to your diet.

Vitamin C | Who doesn't love Vitamin C? Orange Juice growing up was one of the drinks our parents loved for us to take in and we loved it too because it tastes great! But, this vitamin is one that many women lack. Vitamin C keeps our skin healthy, teeth, nails, and hair strong! When taking enough Vitamin C out bodies can fight off bacteria that enter our bodies such as the "Cold".

Calcium | Calcium is one of the best vitamins for women and needed to maintain a healthy body. "Women start losing bone density in their twenties," says Mary Ellen Camire, PhD, a nutrition professor at the University of Maine at Orono. Foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and broccoli.

Iron | Iron carries oxygen in the body. Iron plays a huge part in the production of our red blood cells and supports immune function. Doctors suggest keeping our Iron levels balanced to maintain a healthy immune function, Foods that carry a healthy balance of Iron are Leafy greens, Fish, Turkey, Chicken, and Whole Grains.