It’s the fire in my eyes, and the flash in my teeth, the swing in my waist, and the joy in my feet. I am a woman. Phenomenally!!

Maya Angelou

unleashDear you..yes you are amazing ! Yes! My dear friend! I am talking to u and only u! Did you ever realize how much your body loves you? It’s always trying to keep you alive. It’s making sure you breathe while you sleep, stopping cuts from bleeding, fixing broken bones, finding ways to beat the illness that might get you. Your body literally loves you so much..it’s time you start loving it back.   But did you ever think about it my dear?

With all of their “doing,” there’s one thing women agree isn’t happening: They are so busy taking care of everyone else that they aren’t taking care of themselves. Experts say it’s no surprise that women forget – or even disregard – the need to take care of themselves. Women often feel guilty about taking time for themselves. There is some maternal ideal of being self-sacrificing that just isn’t consistent with having time for yourself. Similar to how you apply your own oxygen mask on an airplane before you put on someone else’s — you are only able to truly extend yourself to people when your needs are taken care of first.

There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself: comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty. 

A real women isn’t skinny or has curves but is whatever she wants to be. Beauty is also about the way you move, speak, and express yourself. It’s about good health, warmth, spontaneity and charisma. The true beauty of a women is in her health. In her ability to be active. A fit and healthy body will always be a fashion statement. Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels. The best project you will ever work on is you .At the end of the day your health is your priority.  So decide today and take charge of your health.

Ad for WebsiteBy choosing healthy over skinny you are choosing self love over self judgement. Your body is your most precious possession so do take care of it. When women realize love for their own body, they would and should be on the journey to self-realization and self-love from within themselves. Getting a pap smear and mammogram done is loving yourself and loving your family.

One of the recent concerns plaguing the field of cancer study or oncology is the increasing number of women who are being diagnosed with Cancer. Studies further confirm that the world over, for all cancers combined, prevalence in women is higher than in men. According to a study by the World Health Organization, one in 12 women in urban India will develop cancer in their lifetime. Approximately 40 per cent of new cases of cancer in India afflict women. In the past decade, breast cancer has overtaken cervicalcancer as the most common cancer among women in Indian cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. Also, India has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world. One in every 10 cancer deaths worldwide is in urban India. What's more alarming, 75-80 per cent of patients are in advanced stages of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Some cancers that are common in women are oral cancer, esophageal cancer, leukemia, buccal mucosa, malignant lymphoma and thyroid cancer, besides breast cancer and cancer of the reproductive system. Today we will be talking mainly about breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers.

The breast cancer risk increases with age. Family history is also an important risk factor for breast cancer. Some warning signals that are associated with early stage breast cancer are dimpling of the skin or changes to breast texture or shape, changes in nipple shape or unexplained discharge, breast lumps or skin thickening and underarm tenderness or skin changes. For early detection of breast cancer every women from age 35 should self-examine her breasts once every month. From age 40, she should continue self-examinations and have a clinician examine the breasts once a year.  From age 50, a mammogram should be done every two years. In addition, self-examination and check-ups by the doctor should be continued lifelong.

The cervical cancer is a cancer affecting the mouth of uterus. Risk factors for cervical cancer are having sexual encounters at an early age, having multiple sexual partners and poor genital hygiene. Symptoms of cervical cancer are blood in vaginal discharge, unusual bleeding between periods or unusual bleeding after intercourse. For early detection of cervical cancer a Pap test  should be done every year if over 18 years or  sexually active. Cervical cancer testing should start at age 21. Women under age 21 should not be tested. Women between ages 21 and 29 should have a Pap test done every 3 years. HPV testing should not be used in this age group unless it’s needed after an abnormal Pap test result. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have a Pap test plus an HPV test (called “co-testing”) done every 5 years. Women over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing with normal results should not be tested for cervical cancer. All women should be vaccinated for cervical cancer.A woman who has been vaccinated against HPV should still follow the screening recommendations for her age group.

Endometrial cancer is a cancer occurring within the uterus.  It usually occurs among older women and is influenced by genetic predisposition to the disease. The risk of endometrial cancer is high if age is more than  40 years, obese females, females who are taking  hormones, are infertile and who do not ovulate.  The warning signals are blood in vaginal discharge, abnormal bleeding – bleeding other than menstrual flow. If only the uterus has been affected, a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) helps.

Ovarian cancer occur in the ovaries, which produces the ova or eggs. This type of cancer is common among older women. The major symptoms of disease are discomfort in the lower abdomen, swelling of the abdomen, loss of weight, back ache and occasional breathlessness. This cancer is often diagnosed late. To detect it early please at least get ultrasound of whole abdomen once in a year after 40 years of age.

A periodic health check is a woman's best bet against Cancer. Regular screening tests can detect cancer right in the beginning and intercepting the cancer early, means a more effective cure and a higher survival rate. It is advisable that everyone go in for screening examinations regularly, but this is a must for people in high-risk groups. The sooner cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the patient's chances for a full recovery.

Just remember a healthy female is the backbone of the family.It is never too early or never too late to work towards being the healthier you. This article is dedicated to you- a woman who is strong, compassionate, beautiful and unique in a special way. May you stay healthy always and continue to inspire those around you.