In 1993, more women died from heart disease than from all cancers, diabetes and accidents combined. But, according to a Gallup Poll, about 45 percent of women believe they will die from breast cancer even though the actual lifetime risk is about 4 percent. Women often go for their yearly mammogram and perform monthly breast self-exams, as well they should. However, many women do not realize, or have not checked, their risk factors for heart disease. When heart disease does affect a woman, she is more likely to have atypical symptoms, such as vague gastrointestinal symptoms or other complaints, instead of chest pains, as a man might.
Osteoporosis is another hideous disease that affects many maturing women.
Twenty-five percent to 50 percent will never regain full mobility. If they do not seek treatment for decreased bone density, women may be placing themselves at serious risk, not only for death, but for a radical change in lifestyle, with possibly decreased mobility and decreased overall quality of life. At least I don't have cancer. While I agreed with her elation that she indeed did not have cancer, I completely disagreed with her disregard of the seriousness of her osteoporosis diagnosis, and spent quite a while discussing it with her. Please discuss your heart disease and osteoporosis risk factors with your healthcare provider.