Checks & balances: making the most of your health

What are the key health risks to be aware of at your life stage? Health problems we think we are at risk of may be different from the health issues that actually pose a threat.

By age Before thirty Thirties and forties Midlife and beyond Checks and tests you need to think about Under 30 30s 40s 50s & 60s 70s & Beyond

Our age, current state of health, lifestyle, and family health history can all play a role in which health issues we face at different phases of our lives. But sometimes misinformation, confusion, and the health experiences of people around us create a mismatch between our real risk and our perceived risk.

We may focus on preventing a lesser threat and not take preventive steps to tackle a more likely risk to our physical and emotional wellbeing.

A health plan

In a Jean Hailes national study on gender, age and health related behaviours (BMC Public Health, June 2009), Jean Hailes psychologist Dr Mandy Deeks found 72% of study participants had a financial plan but only 42% of men and women had a health plan to prevent and minimise future health risks.

“People have superannuation plans but no health plan, although they say their health is a top priority,” says Mandy.

Before thirty

Younger women may not recognise they are at risk of any health issues. The Jean Hailes study found only 60% of women under the age of 30 have a regular Pap smear. Only 5% of women this age have their cholesterol checked regularly, 37% have their blood pressure checked, and 8% have regular blood glucose testing.

“My concern is that young women miss an opportune time to take preventive health measures,” says Mandy. “Women often have a midlife health check and we should be encouraging women to have a young health check to improve awareness of current and future health risks, and find out what you can do now to reduce those risks.”

The real risks

Healthy eating, physical activity and weight:

Young women are often unaware of the need for an adequate intake of iron and vitamin D to help with bone density. Some sun exposure is important for vitamin D levels but not during the high UV hours in the middle of the day. “Being healthy by staying active is also critical, as weight gain is very common in young women,” says Jean Hailes director of research Professor Helena Teede.

Sexual health:

Younger women are at risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.

Reproductive health:

Women should have regular, relatively pain free menstrual cycles. “Seek advice and treatment for irregular or painful periods, as common conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis can emerge in young women, and need to be treated to prevent long-term complications,” explains Mandy.

Checks and tests you need to think about before thirty

Thirties and forties

The research found by the time women reach their thirties and forties they are more health conscious: 89% of women in their thirties have regular Pap smears and 77% have them in their forties. A quarter of women in their thirties, and 39% of women in their forties, have their cholesterol monitored. About two thirds of women aged 41 to 50 years have regular blood pressure checks.

But Mandy says women in this age group are often too busy to contemplate short – and longterm – health risks. “Busy lives mean they often put their own health last and don’t think too far into the future”.

The real risks

Weight:

A balanced diet (with adequate iron intake) and regular physical activity to prevent weight gain in your thirties and forties should be a priority, while losing weight if already overweight will have many health benefits.

Reproductive health:

As many Australian women now have their families in their thirties, a pre-conception health check is important for a healthy pregnancy.

Osteoporosis:

Ask your General Practitioner (GP) for an evaluation of your bone health and make sure you meet your daily requirement of at least 800mg of calcium.

Family disease history:

“A GP will look at a woman’s past medical history, family history, ethnicity, sexual and reproductive health, diet, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as performing relevant screening and blood tests,” says Helena. “The GP is well placed to provide information on short and long-term health risks and can help you reduce particular health risks.”

Checks and tests you need to think about in the thirties and forties

Midlife and beyond: perimenopause and menopause

Periods become irregular and then stop as women experience menopause. The average age of menopause for women in Australia is 51 years. Menopause may bring many changes to women’s lives, both positive and negative.

The Jean Hailes research found women in their fifties are more proactive in having regular health checks but are unaware that their most likely risk is cardiovascular disease.

Women aged 51 to 70 were most likely to have regular mammograms (87%), while 80% of women aged 51 to 60 have regular pap smears dropping to 44% for women aged 71 years or more.

The real risks

Weight:

“As weight peaks in women around midlife, and as excess weight is now the primary cause of chronic disease in Australian women,” says Helena, “a healthy lifestyle, prevention of weight gain and weight loss where needed, are critical.”

Cardiovascular Disease:

The risk of breast cancer increases after 50 but statistically, cardiovascular disease still presents a greater risk. Regular blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks are important to detect risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

“Women talk about breast cancer but they don’t talk about cardiovascular disease because they don’t think they’ll get it,” says Mandy. “So they don’t seek screening, prevention or treatment soon enough. Information about cardiovascular disease focuses more on men, which impacts on women’s perception of risk.”

Diabetes:

Diabetes risk increases after the age of 35. While 65% of women in their 50s and 64% in their 60s have regular blood glucose checks, this means that a third of these women are potentially unaware of their diabetes risk.

Bowel cancer:

Bowel cancer risk also increases with age, with 1 in 20 Australians being diagnosed with the disease.

Smoking-related diseases:

Smokers, or ex-smokers, are at higher risk of heart disease and many cancers, and regular prevention checks with the GP are even more vital.

Checks and tests you need to think about in midlife and beyond

Checks and tests you need to think about 

Useful Resources

www.jeanhailes.org.au/
The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/
The Heart Foundation

http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/
Diabetes Australia

http://www.health.gov.au/
The Department of Health and Ageing

http://www.cancer.org.au/
Cancer Council Australia

http://www.osteoporosis.com.au/
Osteoporosis Australia

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Beyondblue, the national depression initiative

Content Updated November 23, 2009