Medicover
For women, finding the time to visit a beauty salon is easier than finding time for preventive examinations. Every woman should treat herself to comprehensive diagnostics once a year. Finding time to take care of yourself is important, as it can prevent many dangerous diseases and even save your life.
Women's health
Women in Poland live on average 8 years longer than men. This makes them feel strong and not always take care of themselves like they should. Meanwhile, the life expectancy of Polish women is the same as it was in EU countries 9 years ago - according to the 2016 report "Health situation of the Polish population and its determinants" of the National Institute of Public Health - State Institute of Hygiene
A statistical fifty-year-old Polish woman has 26 more years of life ahead of her, but more than half of that time will be spent battling chronic diseases. So in order to live a long and healthy life, we should refrain from smoking and excessive drinking, follow a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise and, above all, get regular check-ups.
Women’s serial killers: diseases affecting women
Up to the age of 70, women are mostly at risk for malignant cancer, which in later years gives way to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Every day, 45 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and another 10 are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Many die because the cancer was diagnosed too late. Regular diagnostic tests could change this sad statistic.
The most common killers of Polish women are lung, breast, colon, ovary and cervical cancer. In Poland, almost half of cancer patients die, though they don’t have to. The rate of decrease in death caused by malignant cancers in Poland is lower than the EU average. If it remains at this level, the current European level for women will be reached in Poland in 30 years. Our problem is that 80% of patients seek medical help too late because they don’t undergo preventive diagnostic tests.
Get a breast ultrasound and a mammogram
A mammogram is a test that can detect 90-95% of cancerous lesions at an early stage of development. This is important because at this stage every cancer can be completely curable. The pressure applied during the examination does not damage the breast. It is necessary to obtain high-quality images, and also lowers the exposure to radiation. A mammogram is recommended as a screening test, to be performed routinely in women starting at the age of 50 and repeated every 2 years. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a mammogram earlier, at the age of 40 or even 35.
An ultrasound examination, on the other hand, often supplements the mammogram because it helps detect changes that the mammogram does not show. The examination may be ordered due to various types of lesions that were not there previously – e.g. lumps or skin dimpling, nipple discharge in women who are not pregnant or nursing, lesions in the nipple or lumps in the armpits.
A breast ultrasound can detect cancer when it is not yet noticeable. Ultrasound is also effective for detecting mild changes. It is a non-invasive, painless and completely safe method. It is suitable for all ages, as well as for pregnant and nursing women. The test should be done in the first half of the menstrual cycle.
Don’t forget the PAP smear
A PAP smear is performed not only to detect cancer. On the contrary, its purpose is to detect any possible changes at an early stage, thanks to which treatment is more effective and there is a very good chance of full recovery.
Poland has an average incidence of this type of cancer, but it has one of the highest mortality rates in Europe. Every day four women die, and the annual number is over 1,600. The percentage of 5-year survival is 48.3%, while the European average is 62.1%. This is because curability depends primarily on the severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis, and Polish women do not undergo regular PAP smears.
It is recommended that women undergo a PAP smear examination no later than 3 years after becoming sexually active, or at the age of 25. After that, the test should be performed every 3 years, unless the doctor recommends it more often. Women who have had HPV vaccination should also have regular PAP smears.
Gynaecological ultrasound
Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of female reproductive organs. A transvaginal ultrasound can detect an abnormal endometrium and ensure early diagnostics. Regular gynaecological check-ups often help detect changes in the endometrium even in the pre-cancer stage. A gynaecological ultrasound can also help diagnose ovarian cancer when symptoms have not yet appeared and it can still be cured. This cancer is detected at an early stage in only 25% of patients. In more than 70%, the disease is diagnosed at stage III or IV, where the 5-year survival rate is only 42.6%.
Heart attacks in women
Although cardiovascular diseases are also the main killer of Polish women, it is commonly believed that heart attacks primarily affect men. Young women especially are not aware that their symptoms may be related to heart ischemia. In women with hypertension, diabetes or chronic inflammatory diseases of the connective tissue, the risk of a heart attack is several times higher.
We should also remember that pregnancy is a sort of stress test. If while pregnant we develop diabetes, hypertension, or there are problems during labour, it may determine the later risk of heart disease. Diabetes, which causes damage to the eyesight and kidneys, does not have visible symptoms. Meanwhile, it significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, shortening the lifespan by up to 10 years.
Blood sugar levels are tested every three years. In some patients, however, they must be checked every year. This includes those suffering from hypertension, elevated cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, women with polycystic ovary syndrome, those who have had gestational diabetes or had a baby with a body weight above 4 kg. Also, obese individuals, or those with a family history of diabetes are at risk.
Thyroid under control
An abnormal thyroid does not usually hurt. However, the effects of thyroid disorders are felt throughout the body, because it affects all internal organs. That is why it is worth doing blood tests to check the level of thyroid hormones. We don’t often realise that irritability, nervousness, fatigue, weight loss or weight gain are the most common symptoms of thyroid disorders.
Nearly 50% of people suffering from hypothyroidism are not aware they have the disease. Typical symptoms include constant fatigue and drowsiness, feeling of cold, hair loss and dry skin. Hyperthyroidism, whose symptoms include increased sweating, feeling hot, and heart palpitations, mainly affect women aged 20-40. Thyroid dysfunction affects lipid metabolism, which means that we should check our cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
