FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- National Women's Checkup Day, May 9, is part of National Women's Checkup Week geared toward encouraging women to take time for themselves and see a physician for their yearly checkups.
It is dedicated to encouraging women to visit health care professionals to receive or schedule a checkup and to promote regular checkups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illness, sexually transmitted infections and other conditions.
"It started as a way to focus on women because most of the time women are taking care of their children and Families and forget about themselves," said Alexa Yohn, Lyster Army Health Clinic population health nurse.
The week is centered around Mother's Day and is focused on making sure women get the preventative screenings needed for their spiritual, physical and mental health.
May 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Women's Health Fair will be at The Landing to educate and inform women about what they can do to improve their health.
"We are trying to wrap our arms around the ladies and keep them healthy," said Col. Patrick Denman, Lyster Army Health Clinic and U.S. Army Aeromedical Center commander.
It is important for women to take time for themselves this week because screening tests, such as mammograms and pap tests, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others, said Yohn.
Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease.
"Most women say they are too busy to go see their health care provider," said Yohn. "But are they too busy to have cancer' These are all aids in early detection; if we detect irregularities early a lot of times we can treat them and cure them as quickly as possible."
Other screenings women may want to consider are colon, rectal and chlamydia screenings. Starting at age 50, women should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years and women under the age of 25 should have regular chlamydia screenings, according to Yohn.
"Chlamydia is a silent disease and sexually active women are at very high risk," said Yohn. "It can cause infertility if left untreated."
Yohn added that women under the age of 25 should also get their immunizations up to date including the Gardasil shots, which protect against the human papillomavirus.
"Additional ways to be healthier are by exercise and making sure to be mentally healthy," said Yohn. "Walking is easy, all you need is a good pair of tennis shoes. A total of 2 1/2 hours of moderate physical exercise a week is recommended. Also, if you have concerns with stress or other mental health issues, contact your primary care manager."
Women can participate in National Women's Checkup Day by contacting their current health care professional to schedule a checkup and get important screenings. They can also discuss which screenings and tests are right for them, when they should have them and how often. Women can also learn what screenings and immunizations they need and at what age by using the interactive screening chart and immunization tool found at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/health-resources/screening-tool, Yohn said.
"Take a little bit of time for yourself as a woman to monitor your own health so you can continue to take care of everyone else," she said.
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