It’s Women’s Health Week, and we can’t think of a better topic for this Healthy Living newsletter.

Women are tough, resilient and can do anything. However, we are also at risk when it comes to breast cancer and bone loss. Being aware of our risks and ways we can protect ourselves is an important part of an overall health plan.

Breast Self-Awareness Is Key We are all committed to the 3-Day and the impact we can make to end breast cancer, but sometimes we need a reminder of the reasons we are here and how we need to take care of ourselves.

Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., but it can be successfully treated. 

Screening tests can find cancer early, when chances for survival are highest. Regular screening tests (along with effective treatment if diagnosed) reduce your chance of dying from breast cancer. Komen’s breast self-awareness messages are: 

1. Know your risk
2. Get screened — Take charge of your health and sign up to receive a mammogram and/or clinical breast exam reminder. Fill out simple online form and each year on the date you choose, you will receive a reminder to schedule your mammogram or clinical breast exam.
3. Know what is normal for you
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Read more about breast self-awareness.

Let’s Hear It For The Girl Bone health is important for everyone, but especially for women. Here’s why:

Estrogen, the female sex hormone plays a key role in bone development in the years around puberty. Girls who begin their menstrual cycle early can build greater bone density than those whose menstrual cycle is delayed.

A young woman will have developed around 80% of her bone mass by age 18, 90% by her 20s, and achieved maximum bone growth around age 30. During these years, it is important for women to practice healthy bone habits such as a balanced diet and weight-bearing exercise.

When women enter menopause, typically in their 50s, their estrogen level declines. This causes changes in bone metabolism that result in bone loss. During the years around menopause, women can lose up to 25% of bone mass if they’re not careful. This process can be aggravated by disease, certain medications and lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor diet or consuming more than two alcoholic beverages per day.  

This is the time to take stock of your bone health and plan to protect it.

Bone loss can progress to a condition called osteoporosis, marked by brittle bones that can break easily. After age 50, one in two women will experience a fracture caused by osteoporosis, compared with one in four men.

Straight Talk from the Pink Bubble – Let’s Hear It For The Boy Just because this email is about women’s health, doesn’t mean we can’t highlight a man, and oh what a man he is. George Nummer has walked in 41 3-Day events educating tens of thousands of walkers and spectators along the way. He has walked over 2,400 miles and has raised over $100,000 for the cause.

George is 87 and plans to walk all seven 3-Day events this year across the country to encourage people to take action aand promise to get a mammogram. Over the years he estimates he has received over 1,000 promises from women to get their mammograms. He even heard back from one young woman that her breast cancer was found early because of the promise she made to him. Read more about George here and when you see George at the 3-Day this year, be sure to give him a big hug and a solid “thank you.”

Next email we’ll cover exercise. I know, what you’re thinking! I ALREADY exercise. I’m walking the 3-Day. And you are! But we will cover cross-training exercises you can do that will take some pressure off your walking muscles and help build all-around fitness. Stay tuned!

This email is a part of the Healthy Living: Preparing your Mind, Body and Bones for the 3-Day Series. To catch up on blogs and emails about Healthy Living, click here.

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