Author: VA Womens Health

Did you know that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month?

Teal awareness ribbonCervical Cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, yet over 12,000 women in the US are diagnosed with it each year.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. While almost 90% of HPV infections resolve on their own within 2 years, high-risk types of HPV may cause cervical cancer.

Regular PAP screenings and HPV tests can help to diagnose pre-cancerous cell changes early and possibly prevent cervical cancer. Continue reading “Did you know that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month?”

Do you have morning sickness?

Morning sickness word cloudMorning sickness is caused by hormones released by a woman’s body during pregnancy. Morning sickness occurs most often during the first trimester of pregnancy. Some women find that nausea and vomiting are worst in the morning, but symptoms can occur at any time of the day or night.

Most women feel better at the beginning of the second trimester, but some continue to feel ill throughout their pregnancies. Continue reading “Do you have morning sickness?”

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Breast Cancer Awareness posterOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to breastcancer.org, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over their lifetime.

While some factors that increase your chance of getting breast cancer are out of your control, such as age and family history, there are some things you can do to decrease your chance of developing invasive breast cancer: Continue reading “Breast Cancer Prevention Tips”