Female Care

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas combined. The number of skin cancer cases has been on the rise for the past few decades.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer, or to catch it early enough so that it can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from the sun, but some may come from manmade sources, such as tanning beds.

This document discusses how skin cancer develops and some simple steps you can take to help protect yourself from getting it. It also describes how to look for signs of skin cancer on your body. Finding possible skin cancers doesn’t require any x-rays or blood tests – just your eyes and a mirror. If skin cancer does develop, finding it early is the best way to ensure it can be treated effectively.

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Do you suffer from severe PMS symptoms? Up to 85% of women experience PMS symptoms before their menstrual periods with up to 10% experiencing such severe symptoms that they’re forced to miss time from work. Symptoms of PMS range from mood swings and irritability to physical symptoms such as bloating, headache, and fatigue. Although an effective prescription treatment that relieves all of the symptoms of PMS has yet to be found, there’s mounting evidence to suggest that diet may play an important role in treating severe PMS symptoms. The symptoms of PMS and diet appear to be closely associated according to the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome who has developed dietary guidelines for women who suffer from this condition. An association between PMS and diet is also supported by several studies showing improvement in PMS symptoms when a premenstrual diet is followed. Here are some dietary changes that may improve severe PMS symptoms:

Premenstrual diet: Increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D

Increasing your calcium intake may be one of the most effective ways to relieve the symptoms of severe PMS. According to a study published by investigators at the department of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts, women who have higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D have a lower risk of PMS. Several other studies have shown a similar association. Although a definitive dose hasn’t been established, supplementing with 1,000 units of calcium, and 800 units of vitamin D under the supervision of your doctor may offer some benefit if you suffer from severe PMS symptoms. An even better strategy is to get your vitamin D and calcium from natural sources via exposure to the sun at least 15 minutes three to four days per week and consuming foods high in calcium.

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In history, menopause and aging have not always been viewed negatively.  Women often greeted the absence of their period gladly; welcoming a time when they would be free of the burden of childbearing, their time and energy liberated for new things.  Many cultures have revered wise old women. They were sought out for healing or guidance. Not so in our times.  Now it is a put down to call something an old wives tale! It’s a way of saying that something is false, frivolous, or foolish.

First of all, are you really in menopause?  Menopause is defined as the end of your period.  For several years before that happens you will likely experience symptoms of perimenopause, which is the time when your hormones start wildly fluctuating, and your period becomes irregular.  Kind of like being a teenager again, only with wrinkles.

In modern culture menopause is viewed as a medical condition which can be treated.  Current treatments often include hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.   HRT can ease symptoms of menopause such as irritability, anxiety, memory loss, or skin or hair changes.  HRT has also been connected with reduced risk of heart disease and osteoporosis; and can help if you experience vaginal dryness or loss of sexual desire.  But there are risks that have been associated with HRT too.  Some studies have shown a connection to breast cancer, blood clots, high blood pressure and gall bladder disease.  The trend these days is to use HRT for a short focused period of treatment, rather than a long term one, to address the most bothersome and persistent symptoms of menopause, the ones you really cannot live with.

There are many alternative and natural therapies to try if you feel you need help calming the beast.  The first time you feel like Krakatoa getting ready to blow; that you feel puffy, flushed faced and damp, and everyone else looks slender and cool as a cuke; or that you’re jotting your name down and you have to pause for a moment,  to think what it is; you may decide it’s time to explore your options.  It’s actually a great time to think of the wisdom passed on by our ancestors. Our great grandmothers learned about beneficial plants at grandmother’s knee.  Today we can go to the bookstore, health food store, or the internet to find healthy products that are good for menopausal symptoms.

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