Women’s health dangers: How much do you know? ANSWERS

Did you take our women’s health quiz? If not, view it here and come back to see how you did. 

1. B) OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. It also causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Symptoms may include vaginal bleeding (particularly if you are past menopause), abnormal vaginal discharge, pain or pressure in the pelvic area, abdominal or back pain, bloating, feeling full too quickly or difficulty eating.

2. C) POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects approximately 10–15 percent of adult mothers yearly with depressive symptoms lasting more than six months among 25–50% of those affected, according to the National Institutes of Health.

3. D) UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors or lumps comprised of muscle cells and other tissue that grow within the uterine wall. They may grow individually or in clusters. A single fibroid can be less than an inch in size or can grow to 8 inches across or more.

4. D) CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease, where the heart and blood vessels are negatively impacted, is the number-one cause of death in people living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, resulting in two-thirds of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than people without.

5. C) 40

In May 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force changed its guidance to recommend that women begin getting annual mammograms at age 40, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. That reverses its 2009 recommendation, which raised the start age from 40 to 50. The change is based on research showing the risk of breast cancer in younger women has been climbing.

6. A) SMOKING

Rush University System for Health reports that smokers have a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures. While many factors contribute to osteoporosis, including being postmenopausal, certain medications, lack of exercise and heredity, people who smoke are far more likely to develop osteoporosis than nonsmokers.

7. C) 51

Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the average age is 51 in the United States. In the lead up to menopause (perimenopause), women might experience these signs and symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness

8. C) HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV)

HPV can cause cervical and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina or anus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also can cause cancer in the back of the throat (called oropharyngeal cancer). This can include the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. Genital warts and cancers result from different types of HPV.

9. D) ALL OF THE ABOVE

Other stroke risk factors to be aware of, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, are age; anxiety, depression and high stress levels; family history and genetics; living or working in areas with air pollution and other medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, kidney disease and migraine headaches.

10. C) EVERY 3 YEARS

Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV.

If you have certain risk factors, your doctor may recommend more-frequent Pap smears, regardless of your age. These risk factors include:

• A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells
• Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
• HIV infection
• Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic corticosteroid use
• A history of smoking