Women and men share many similar health problems, but women also have their own health issues, which deserve special consideration and some of the health issues that affect both men and women can affect women differently.

Women's lives have changed over the centuries. Historically, life was particularly difficult for most women. Most women in the past did not live long enough to be concerned about menopause or old age.

In 1900, a woman's life span was about 50 years. Now, in the new millennium, life expectancy for women is 82 years of age, and continuing to rise. And as we always at KHMC care  we are not only concerned that women live longer, but we also want them to have the possibility of enjoying a better quality of life throughout their span of years. But to do this, it is essential that women take charge of their own bodies and comprehend how they can maximize their health and fitness. It is also helpful that men understand and are supportive of the health concerns of the women. And here comes our role in providing such a pioneered center that provides all what women need in maintaining and monitoring their health in one place.

The Women’s Health Care Cycle

This program focuses specifically on women’s health, and is established with the objective of improving the health and quality of women’s lives worldwide.

The care cycle encompasses the whole continuum of care from prevention, screening and diagnosis to treatment, management and surveillance

 Following this approach provides a greater understanding of the clinical pathways for a particular disease in a particular geographical region, and can show where improvements need to be made.

In our Women’s Health program we focus on three key areas of disease in women: breast cancer, heart disease, and gynecology. All three represent important global health issues.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Because breast cancer presents in many different ways, a multimodality approach is often required for a comprehensive diagnosis. Our center recognised this need and offers a portfolio of imaging systems and healthcare informatics solutions. The center is also actively involved in programs that will add value in other points of the breast cancer care cycle.

Heart disease is the greatest cause of death in women worldwide. The World Health Organization reports that more than 3.4 million women die from heart disease every year. Coronary artery disease in women is often clinically different than in men, and women are more likely to present with atypical symptoms. Our center offers a complete portfolio of solutions to support diagnosis in women, and works closely with leading healthcare organizations to provide solutions that address women’s unique cardiovascular needs and help to improve early detection.

Gynecological conditions include benign conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic floor disorders, and infertility, as well as cancer of the cervix, uterus, and ovaries. There were more than one million new cases of gynecologic cancers worldwide in 2008 .

Our novel technologies for imaging can help to provide earlier diagnosis, at a stage when treatment offers a better chance of success, and novel treatment techniques offer less invasive therapy.

Bone Health for Women

Bone health begins at a young age. A woman acquires about 85 to 90 percent of her bone mass during childhood and adolescence. By about age 20,  bone building is complete but bone-mass continues to increase until the early thirties. Bones become stronger and more dense as more calcium becomes part of the bone matrix. If there is not enough calcium deposited in bones during childhood, they may become weak later in life, leading to bone disease such as osteoporosis. Fragile bones easily fracture or break, especially in the hip, spine and wrist.

Genetics and lifestyle contribute to healthy bones. If healthy, strong bones run in your family, chances are you will have them, too. Good nutrition is the key to building and keeping bones strong for life. Calcium and vitamin D are the major nutrients for making bones hard and healthy.

Healthy Bones and Calcium

It is important to consume enough calcium every day. Women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day for healthy bones. After age 50, a woman’s calcium needs jump to 1,200 milligrams a day.

High-calcium Foods

Good sources of calcium include fat-free or low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese, tofu made with calcium sulfate, sardines and fortified cereals and juices. Women need at least three servings a day of calcium-rich foods. A serving of calcium is equivalent to:

·         1 cup of low-fat or fat-free milk

·         1 cup of low-fat or fat-free yogurt

·         1 ounce low-fat or fat-free cheese

·         1½ cups cooked edamame (soybeans)

·         1 cup calcium-fortified juice

·         3 ounces canned sardines, with bones.

Reading Food Labels for Calcium

Check the Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels to find good sources of calcium.

If a label reads:

·         30% RDI of calcium = 300 milligrams

·         20% RDI of calcium = 200 milligrams

·         10% RDI of calcium = 100 milligrams

The Role of Vitamin D

As women age, their bodies do not absorb calcium as well. Vitamin D helps bones absorb calcium. There are three ways to get vitamin D: sunlight (ten to 15 minutes outside per day is sufficient for most people), food and supplements.

Vitamin D is only found in a few foods. Sources include fatty fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna, egg yolks, fortified milk, soymilk and some brands of orange juice and cereal. Women who do not consume enough vitamin D from foods need to take a vitamin D supplement each day.

For women younger than 50, the daily recommended amount of vitamin D is 400 to 800 IU; this amount goes up for women older than 50 to 800 to 1,000 IU a day.

Five Ways to Keep Bones Strong

You can keep your bones strong for life. Start by following these key tips:

·         Consume enough calcium and vitamin D every day with food or a combination of food and supplements

·         Participate in regular weight-bearing/strength training activities

·         Avoid smoking and excess alcohol intake

·         Talk with your health care provider about bone health

Have a bone density test if you’re over 50.