The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health recognizes every May as a month dedicated to spreading awareness about Women’s Health. Specifically, they lead National Women’s Health Week every year. Since this year, that week is being observed from May 11th to 17th, it is only fitting to spread awareness on four crucial health issues that affect women. Read on to learn more and empower yourself and others to engage in discussions surrounding female health!
Heart Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. On top of this, over 60 million women residing in the United States have some form of heart disease.
Since symptoms are different in women than in men, it is important to be aware of indications that a woman has heart disease, While males typically experience symptoms such as chest pain, women may also face shortness of breath, nausea, or pain in the back or jaw.
High blood pressure is a prevalent factor of heart disease and 1 in 5 women of reproductive age have high blood pressure. However, high blood pressure often is underdiagnosed in women, causing around 1 in 4 females to have their condition under control.
Additionally, there are also causes of heart disease that are specifically related to being a biological female. For example, in the United States, 1 in 8 pregnancies result in the development of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease later on. To add, after the hormonal changes of menopause, women are at an increased risk of heart disease. Specifically, undergoing early menopause, before reaching the age of 40, can increase the likeliness of this disease just hitting puberty before the age of 11 can as well.
Plus, preterm delivery of a baby or giving birth to either a low or high-weight baby can increase the risk of heart disease.
Lifestyle factors also play a role, such as tobacco use, inactivity, and poor diet.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer occurs when malignant, or cancer cells, form in the breast tissue. Several types of this cancer can affect both men and women.
As one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, it is the most common cancer contracted by females globally. Since risk increases not only with age but also with a family history of this cancer, taking the right precautions early is essential as there is a 5-year relative survival rate of 99% when caught at its earliest stages or when it is still localized. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors residing in the United States alone.
On top of regular screenings, genetic testing can also be utilized if one knows that they have a family history of breast cancer. Mammograms can also be helpful as they can detect tumors before they are palpable.
Cervical Cancer
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in women globally.
This type of cancer occurs when cells of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that connects it to the vagina, grow abnormally, typically starting on the outer layer, squamous cells.
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. However, due to the HPV vaccine, this type of cancer is largely preventable. However, other lifestyle factors can also contribute to cervical cancer. These include smoking, being overweight, long-term use of contraceptive pills, having chlamydia or herpes, and having several full-term pregnancies as well as a family history of this type of cancer.
Additionally, the highest rates of both cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in lower and middle-income countries, reflecting the inequities within access to HPV vaccination as well as treatment and screening services on top of economic determinants.
To take further prevention methods apart from getting vaccinated, it is recommended that females schedule regular Pap Smears and HPV tests to detect any cell changes that could indicate cervical cancer. If choosing to get vaccinated, it is recommended that females do so before they begin to be sexually active.
Ovarian Cancer
In the United States, around 25,000 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. There are over 30 different types of ovarian cancer which are grouped into the categories of epithelial, germ cell, or sex chord stromal depending on where the cancer cells begin.
This type of cancer starts in the ovaries and can affect any of the complex cells within these walnut-sized organs. However, Ovarian cancer typically does not show signs until after it has spread farther than the ovaries, and even then, symptoms can be vague or commonly confused with other diseases.
Some symptoms that are often overlooked are abdominal swelling, feeling of fullness even after a light meal, bloating, loss of appetite, and changes in bowel habits. Other symptoms can also be irregular spotting as well as bleeding during intercourse.
If a female’s healthcare provider is under the impression that the patient has ovarian cancer, several tests can be carried out including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, CT scans, and a biopsy. However, identifying small ovarian tumors can be challenging, so some physicians may order their patient transvaginal ultrasonography which is a tiny probe inserted into the vagina to get as close to the ovaries as possible. A tumor marker blood test called a CA-125 can also be ordered as it can identify epithelial ovarian cancers. identify epithelial ovarian cancers.
Sources:
“About Women and Heart Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html. Accessed 3 May 2025.
“Breast Cancer Facts & Stats 2024 – Incidence, Age, Survival, & More.” National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2 Apr. 2025, http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts/.
“Celebrating Women’s Health during Women’s History Month.” Commwellhealth.Org, 6 Mar. 2025, commwellhealth.org/celebrating-womens-health-during-womens-history-month/.
“Cervical Cancer.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer. Accessed 3 May 2025.
“Facts about Ovarian Cancer.” Fred Hutch, http://www.fredhutch.org/en/diseases/ovarian-cancer/facts-resources.html. Accessed 3 May 2025.
“Programs and Activities: Office on Women’s Health.” OASH | Office on Women’s Health, womenshealth.gov/about-us/what-we-do/programs-and-activities. Accessed 3 May 2025.
“The Top 5 Women’s Health Concerns for Women’s Health Day.” UC Health, http://www.uchealth.com/en/media-room/articles/the-top-5-womens-health-concerns-for-womens-health-day. Accessed 3 May 2025.
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