Resolutions for a healthier you in 2017
Happy New Year from all of us here at Planned Parenthood! This time of year can be both invigorating and challenging. 2016 was a rollercoaster, no matter where you were sitting. It’s natural to feel a little depleted after so many big events, especially considering that we’re also recovering from the holidays. That’s why we believe that 2017 should be the year of self-care.
DID YOU KNOW? A quarter of women don’t know when they need their next breast cancer screening, and over a third of women don’t know when they should get their next cervical cancer screening. Your sexual health is an important component of your general well-being.
Breast Screenings: If you over the age of 21, then you should be receiving regular breast exams from your healthcare provider. Between the ages of 21-39, your healthcare provider should perform a breast exam every 1-3 years. Annual screenings are recommended for women between 40 and 75 years of age.
Cervical Screenings: If you’re in your twenties you should be receiving a Pap test every three years. Between the ages of 30 and 64, you should receive a Pap test or HPV test every 3 years (or every 5 years if you get the two tests together). Women ages 65 and up should consult with their healthcare provider.
Birth Control: The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) named modern contraception (together with family planning) one of the top 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, and its positive impact on social justice and quality of life for many people around the world is hard to overstate. We all know that birth control can help women prevent unwanted pregnancies, and it facilitates having children only if and when a person or family is ready.
But DID YOU KNOW that oral contraceptives have additional non-contraceptive health benefits? They can even help prevent certain types of cancers! In scientific studies, oral contraceptives have been found to be associated with a reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Additionally, oral contraceptives are used to treat pain from endometriosis and menstruation, and they help with menstrual regulation. Go birth control!
Treat yourself to health in 2017.
Have questions? We’d love to talk to you! Give us a call at 619-881-4500. Or visit our website: https://www.plannedparenthood.org
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