Awareness and prevention are your most valuable tools says Steven Wolfe, M.D., medical director of the UI Family Care Center. "You can take a certain amount of control of your own health."

• Prevention
• Breast Cancer
• Diabetes
• Stroke

Prevention

Screenings for men

• Prostate PSA screening (age 50)

Screenings for women

• Annual pap smear (age 21)
• Annual mammogram (age 40)
• Osteoporosis (age 60)

Screening for both men and women

• Colorectal screening (age 50)
• Cholesterol profile (men, age 35 women, age 45)
• Blood sugar/ diabetes screening
• Skin cancer screening
• Annual eye examination
• Treadmill test
• Blood pressure check (at least by age 18)
• Obesity

For more information:

Steven Wolfe, M.D.

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in American women.

Prevention starts with annual mammograms at age 40. A clinical breast exam should be part of your health exam every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and older. Breast self exams are suggested for women starting in their 20s. If you notice any changes to your breast, notify your health care provider immediately.

Symptoms to report:

• Lump or thickening in breast or armpit
• Change in breast's size or shape
• Change in color of breast or areola
• Dimpling of skin or change in color or texture of skin
• Abnormal discharge from nipple

Some risk factors cannot be changed. Two-thirds of all breast cancers occur in women over 50. If you had your first menstrual period at age 11 or younger or began menopause after age 50, you are at greater risk.

You face higher risk if your mother and/or sisters have had breast cancer or are of Jewish ethnicity.

For more information:

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Diabetes
About 18.2 million Americans have diabetes 5.2 million are undiagnosed.

Simple changes like improving your diet and walking for 30 minutes a day can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Signs of diabetes include frequent urination, feeling very hungry, thirsty, or tired, and losing weight without trying.

Risk factors:

• Age
• Obesity with increased waist/hip ratio
• Family history
• Gestational diabetes
• Gave birth to baby over nine pounds
• Native American, Hispanic, African American, Pacific Islander
• Hypertensive, dyslipidemia If you have diabetes:
• Improving your blood sugar control lowers your risk by 40 percent of developing eye, kidney, and nerve disease.
• Controlling your blood pressure can reduce cardiovascular disease by 33 to 50 percent and can reduce eye, kidney, and nerve disease by 33 percent.
• Improving your cholesterol levels can reduce cardiovascular complications by 20 to 50 percent.

For more information:

UI Diabetes Services

Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults.

Some stroke indicators are beyond your control and include:

• Age—Risk increases with age, however, 28 percent of stroke victims are under age 65.
• Sex—Men have a higher risk.
• Family history—Risk is greater if a relative had a stroke or heart attack before age 65.
• Race—African Americans face a higher risk. Prevention is the best treatment for stroke.
• Stop smoking—Smokers face twice the risk.
• Weight, waist size—The risk of stroke increases, especially when weight is carried around your waist.
• Physical activity—Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight.
• Blood pressure—High blood pressure causes the heart to pump harder, putting blood vessels under increased pressure.

If you have had a stroke, the experts at the Stroke Clinic at UI Hospitals and Clinics help you realize your best possible outcome.

For more information:

Stroke Clinic