Life expectancy for women is a whopping 4.7 years longer, yet they only have as many “healthy years” as men. “Women are the family’s health managers, but they often pay far too little attention to their own health,” says gender doctor Alexandra Kautzky-Willer from Med-Uni Vienna. Why this is the case and why women should take careful precautions in order to remain free of physical symptoms and mentally healthy is the topic of the talk round at the OÖN Women’s Day on Friday, March 4th in the OÖNachrichten Forum in Linz.
From the age of 50: Pay attention to intestinal health
A colonoscopy every ten years from the age of 50 can prevent cancer. “Most people are afraid of the examination, but there is no reason for that,” says Gudrun Piringer, senior physician for hematology and internal oncology at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz. After all, the emptying of the intestines on the day before the examination is much more uncomfortable than the examination itself, the endoscopy is carried out under the title “gentle colonoscopy” on anesthetized patients.
“It is essential to take time for health”
“We have an excellent healthcare system – you should definitely take advantage of what it offers,” says Maria Sauer, Managing Director of Cancer Aid Upper Austria: “That doesn’t mean that you should go to the doctor immediately with every little ailment, but it is important to take care of your own body consciously and to take the time for preventive care.” Because one thing is clear – once the disease is there, you have to have time anyway, because then there is nothing more urgent than fighting it.
Prevention can save lives
In the current situation, I find it particularly important to pay attention to your personal stress level, to find a balance and, above all, to relax in order to be able to cope well with the challenges posed by the pandemic. In order to be able to detect cancer at an early stage, various check-ups are particularly important for women – and therefore strongly recommended. On the one hand, I am thinking of the annual cancer smear test at the gynaecologist. But mammography and colonoscopy should also be a matter of course from the recommended age.
A healthy woman’s life also includes the annual birthmark check by the dermatologist. Of course, regular testing for HP viruses and vaccination against this viral disease, which can cause several cancers, is also recommended.
Take countermeasures in good time in the event of stress symptoms
Unfortunately, it is still one of the greatest challenges for us women to manage the permanent balancing act between work, family and the demands of everyday life. It is important to recognize in good time when the stress is simply too great and stress symptoms – from susceptibility to infections to sleep disorders – appear. Timely countermeasures are of immense importance.
That makes life easier with a guarantee.
Source: Nachrichten
