Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Family Medicine/ Endocrinology/ Diabetes
Life changes with every decade, and so does our body. Just as personal and work-related milestones are set, health goals should be included for every stage of life. Practising these healthy behaviours is important for all women, regardless of age.
YOUR 20S
• Get the HPV vaccine.
The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is most common among young people in their late teens and early 20s. High-risk strains of HPV are present in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases. One way to protect yourself from HPV is by getting the HPV vaccine. It protects from the HPV types that cause most genital warts and anal cancers.
• Say, “No!” to tanning salons.
Tanning bed use significantly increases the odds of getting melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer). Using tanning beds regularly when under 30 increases the risk of skin cancer by 75%.
Other ways to limit sun exposure:
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use sunscreen when outdoors.
• Wear sun-protective clothing
• Steer clear of the fast (food) life
• Avoid Fast foods.
A person may be eating fast foods because they’re cheap and easy to obtain. And in their 20s, a person may even have the metabolism to burn unwanted calories. But, in eating fast foods, they are not powering up with the nutrients needed to keep body and mind healthy today and later in life.
The better choice? Learn to whip up a few simple, healthy meals made from whole foods – mostly plants. If people do buy processed foods, thy should be sure to read the nutrition labels and check for sugar, carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
• Pop in for a Pap/ VIA
After your 21st birthday, schedule a VIA test or Pap test every three years. It may be an awkward test to do, and may be uncomfortable, but this examination is worth the brief discomfort. That’s because the Pap test can find abnormal cells before they turn into cervical cancer.
• Snuff out the cigarette.
Each year, more women die from lung cancer than breast cancer. The cause: smoking.
Smoking raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, and affects one’s reproductive health. And during pregnancy, it also causes problems that can hurt both mother and baby – miscarriages, stillbirths, and early delivery. Quit, especially if pregnant, and don’t pick up the habit after the baby is born. Nicotine can be passed through breast milk, and secondhand smoke can affect the child’s health.
Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible, and make the home smoke-free.
YOUR 30s
• Lift some weights.
Most women begin to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss and build bone density to avoid osteoporosis. It can also increase the rate at which the body burns calories to help keep you at a healthy weight. And maintaining a healthy weight can help to avoid diseases like cancer.
• Take time to unwind.
Chronic stress affects almost every system in our body, and wreaks havoc on their functioning, making it harder to fight off diseases like cancer. Curb stress by doing breathing exercises and other relaxation-type activities.
• Test for HPV at Pap/ VIA visit
Women over age 30 should get an HPV test along with their Pap test every five years. High-risk strains of HPV are present in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases.
This test doesn’t happen often in the 20s because, at this age, the immune system is more likely to clear the virus without treatment. And regular HPV testing may result in unnecessary interventions and follow-up care.
• Snuff out the cigarette.
Nearly 20% of women aged 25 to 44 smoke.
Your 40s
• Maintain a healthy weight.
As we get older, our metabolism slows down. This is especially true for women after age 40, who may have a hard time maintaining the weight they had in their 20s and 30s. Making healthy food choices and staying active every day can help jumpstart one’s metabolism, so one can keep off unwanted pounds.
• Schedule a mammogram
Don’t put off a yearly mammogram. Women should get one every year, starting at age 40. It’s one of the best ways to find breast cancer early. Getting the first mammogram can be stressful, but it is very beneficial.
• Snuff out the cigarette.
Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible and make the home smoke-free.
YOUR 50S AND OLDER
• Limit the use of hormone therapy.
Taking hormones can increase the chances of developing uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and stroke. Ask a doctor if hormone therapy is the best choice for you.
• Focus on foods, not supplements.
Researchers are still unsure about whether supplements help prevent cancer. Speak with a doctor or a dietician before taking a new supplement. The doctor can decide which pills are needed and in what dosage. Even if a doctor recommends taking a supplement, the top priority should be getting the nutrients needed from fresh food.
• Check colon.
It’s that time. Colorectal cancer screening starts after age 50. These exams are worth the minor discomfort, if any. Why? At least six out of 10 colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented if everyone aged 50 and older got screened regularly. So, start the colorectal screening discussion at the next check-up. The doctor can help to decide which exam is the best option.
• Snuff out the cigarette.
Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. And it’s never too late to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible and make the home smoke-free.
• Get annual check-ups.
Making your health a top priority is important at every age. Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 60s, yearly check-ups are a must. With the aid of a doctor, create a personalised health plan to help stay healthy for many years to come.
