International Women's Day: Attention Men! THESE 5 Health Tests Are the Best Gifts for Your Mom or Wife Today

This International Women’s Day, rather than gifting the ladies in your life some jewelry, clothes, make-up, or shoes, show them that you care by investing in their health and well-being.

According to statistics, symptoms of illnesses in women are much different from those in men, and most are often misdiagnosed—even with dreaded diseases. And so, it is important to get regular health screenings and check-ups done to avoid problems in the future.

Here are a few screening guidelines for women ages 18 to 39:

While breast self-exams are also crucial to finding any anomalies, experts believe that it is important to get a mammogram done for women under the age of 40 years.

However, it becomes more important to discuss and recommend mammograms, MRI scans, or ultrasounds if you have an increased risk for breast cancer, like:

• A mother or sister who had breast cancer at a young age
• You carry a high-risk genetic marker

Doctors say mammograms or X-ray images are the most common screening test for breast cancer, helping to detect tumors too small to feel and can find cancer early, improving treatment outcomes. There are different types of mammograms, including screen-film, digital, digital breast tomosynthesis, and synthetic 2-dimensional. Regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with millions suffering every year. According to doctors, women should undergo pap smear screening for cervical cancer, which checks for abnormal cells on your cervix that are cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous and may also detect certain infections and inflammation.

During a Pap smear, your doctor would take cells from your cervix to examine under a microscope. Anyone with a cervix between the ages of 21 and 30 should get a Pap smear at least once every three years. Between the ages of 30 and 65, you should have one every five years. Healthcare providers consider a Pap smear to be the gold standard for preventing cervical cancer because it detects cervical cell changes before they can turn into cancer.

For women, thyroid screening typically involves a blood test that measures thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, and that indicates thyroid issues like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

According to experts, thyroid disorders are significantly more common in women than in men, which not only impacts their health in general but also leads to infertility, mood disorders, a high risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer, and postpartum health. And so, a screening can help identify thyroid problems early, before symptoms become severe or before they lead to complications.

In women, heart issues are much more common and dangerous as compared to men. Even the signs of heart disease in women are different from those of men, and that is why many women miss out on important diagnoses as well.

According to experts, that is why it is important for women to get regular heart screening, especially if they have a history in their family, which involves checking blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides, along with assessing other risk factors that include tests like EKG, echocardiogram, or stress tests, depending on individual needs and risk factors.

All women must get their bone density test, also known as a DEXA scan, to measure bone strength and density. It helps determine if you have osteoporosis or low bone mass, which can increase the risk of fractures.

While globally, around 60 per cent of people living with arthritis are women, in India, the prevalence has increased by 40 per cent in the last decade.

And so, you should get a bone density test right around your menopause time, and mostly around that time there are risk factors like a parent who has broken a hip. Doctors say women who have gone through menopause have a high chance of breaking bones.

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