For women to stay healthy there are a number of special issues they should consider to avoid female-related illness and disease. With the increase in breast and cervical cancer cases, it’s particularly important for women to ensure that they conduct regular self-examination of breasts and have regular cervical Pap tests

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women. When breast cancer is discovered early and treated quickly, the possibility of curing the disease is much higher. It’s therefore essential for women’s health that all women conduct monthly self-examination in order to detect any early signs of the disease.

Breasts should be examined once a month at the end of the menstrual cycle. To conduct a self-examination, lie down and put one hand behind your head. With your free hand use your three middle fingers (applying varying degrees of gentle pressure) and move them in small circles over the entire area of the breast, checking for any lumps, hard knots, dimpling of the skin or thickening of the breast tissue. Also, you should squeeze the end of the nipple and observe if there is any discharge.

If you should discover anything unusual, pay a visit to your women’s health-care provider who will advise you in undergoing further tests if necessary.

Cervical cancer is also a common form of cancer in women and like breast cancer, early detection of the disease can increase the possibility of cure. To check for cervical cancer, cells that may result in cervical cancer or other cervical related infections, women should have their health-care provider conduct regular Pap tests.

A Pap test is easy and quick. Your doctor conducts the test by placing a speculum into the vagina which expands the vaginal area so that the cervix can be examined. Your doctor will then use a swab to gently brush around the cervix, taking cell samples that will then be tested for cervical cell abnormalities.

How often these tests should be conducted depends of your age and whether you suffer from any other medical conditions. Your doctor will advise you how often you need to be tested and of any other necessary precautions women should take to stay healthy.