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Should Breast Cancer Awareness Month Be Changed To Women’s Health Month?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bringing attention to the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. The autumn leaves may be changing to radiant reds, pretty purples and stunning yellows, but everywhere you look you’ll see pink. And while it’s absolutely important to address the growing instances of breast cancer in women and its prevention and treatment options, there are dozens of other health concerns facing women that deserve our attention as well. 

To bring awareness to topics like domestic abuse, heart disease, depression and other forms of cancer plaguing women, should October transition from Breast Cancer Awareness Month to Women’s Health Awareness Month? A week in May is dedicated to women’s health, but is that enough? With all of the health concerns facing women, a whole month celebrating women and educating the world on women’s health seems like it might not be a bad idea. Here are a few of the subjects a Women’s Health Month might cover. 

Domestic Abuse

Did you know October is also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month? Not to be overshadowed by breast cancer, the National Network to End Domestic Violence is using the month of October to bring attention to domestic violence, with a special Week of Action Oct. 16 through Oct. 22. One in three women will be a victim of violence by an intimate partner in her lifetime, with the most commonly abused being women between 18 and 24 years old

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. According to the National Vital Statistics Report on Deaths: Final Data of 2013, heart disease killed 289,758 women in 2013. That’s about one of every four deaths of American women. Many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, like obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol abuse. Its inclusion in a comprehensive Women’s Health Month could raise awareness of its specific risk to women.

Depression

Depression can hit women hard. One in eight women will experience clinical depression in her lifetime, according to Mental Health America. That’s roughly 12 million women in the United States every year. With the social stigma still surrounding mental health issues, it’s even more important to bring the prevalence of depression into the spotlight and encourage women experiencing symptoms of depression to seek help. 

Preventative Care

National Women’s Checkup Day is May 9, but taking responsibility for your health and practicing preventative care should be year-round. Regular health examinations can nip potential problems in the bud and foster a closer relationship between you and your doctor. Visit your general practitioner and gynecologist regularly and don’t skip mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. Regular doctor visits, keeping on top of vaccinations and screenings for STDs can all be incorporated into preventative care. Preventative services for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant could benefit the next generation as well. Take control of your health before there’s a problem.

Other Cancers Concerning Women

Breast cancer isn’t the only cancer affecting women in the United States. Cancers of the respiratory system were projected to kill 72,710 American women in 2015, with cancers of the digestive system (62,760 projected deaths of American women) and the genital system (30,440 projected deaths of American women) close behind. By using a Women’s Health Month to draw attention to all types of cancer, we might be able to bring those numbers down and help women in the U.S. lead longer, healthier lives.

To immerse yourself in everything to do with women’s health, consider signing up for the Women’s Health Conversations 2016 Conference taking place in Pittsburgh, Pa. over the first weekend in November. Hear a variety of women’s health advocates speak about their fields of expertise and meet others who are passionate about raising awareness of women’s health concerns. Join the conversation by registering today.