Women's Checkup Day

Women's Checkup Day

Women’s Checkup Day is a day to remind women to look after their health and get checkups once a year. Cervical cancer and breast cancer are two of the most common forms of cancer. Fortunately, both of these cancers have high survival rates when they are detected in early stages. Regular yearly mammograms and pap smears can help doctors find these cancers before they spread to other parts of the body and save many lives. This holiday takes place on the Monday of Women’s Health Week.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health leads an annual initiative of National Women’s Health Week, and in part the second Monday in May is National Women’s Checkup Day. This day is a reminder to women to take care of themselves, and to make their health a priority.

Start today. Talk to your healthcare provider or doctor about your health and what preventative measures you should be doing. Due to the Affordable Care Act, women have access to 22 different preventive services.

Here is a checklist you should be going through as far as preventative screenings go:

Once a month you should be giving yourself a self-exam of your skin and breasts and every six months going to get a dental exam. Annually, you should be getting a pap smear, pelvic exam, eye exam, and a screening for HIV and other STIs. Other exams/screenings you may need to get on a as a needed basis in the future depending on age: skin cancer screening, HPV test, cholesterol/triglycerides/blood count test, diabetes screening, colonoscopy, and a mammogram. 

HealthyWomen partnered with GCI Health to launch the HealthiHer Movement. This new movement encourages women to make self-care a priority in their lives. Check out the HealthiHer Facebook page for more information and join our movement for a healthier life!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gives Tips

• Visit a doctor or nurse for a well-woman visit (checkup) and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress. Learn about depression among women.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

HealthyWomen provided some ideas for self-care, here are a few other tips you can do in order to provide yourself self-care every day:

• Have a consistent routine - whether that be in the morning and evening or all day long
• Eat, drink, and sleep the proper amount(s) you need
• Exercise regularly
• Make a list of all the appointments you need to make or are going to
• Talk to someone regularly - family, friends, community groups, a therapist
• Pamper yourself - go get a mani/pedi, take a bubble bath, get a massage
• Keep your space clean - physically, digitally, emotionally
• Start a new hobby or learn a new skill
• Journal

This is your time. Your time to take care of yourself and make it a top priority in your life and your daily habits. Practice self-care and spend the time taking care of yourself by instilling healthy lifestyle choices and habits and also taking preventive measures in order to live a long healthy life.