AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Pronews 7 is now going to introduce you to a few medical issues and diseases that are the top killers in women.
It's during the month of February that you'll see a lot of red. It's not because of Valentine's Day, but because it's American Heart Month.
A month dedicated to educating women about the number one killer, heart disease. In fact, one in every three deaths is from heart disease, that equal to 2,200 deaths per day.
But why does it affect women differently than men?
Doctors say because the symptoms in women are not as easily detected.
"It effects men and women equally, less clear symptoms in women as compared to men and sometimes confusing symptoms to where they fail to recognize, sometimes ignore, delay in presentation and delay in seeking help, "said Dr. Assadour Assdaourian, Cardiology Center of Amarillo.
"You certainly need to have your risk modified, reduce the weight, eat healthy, lower your cholesterol if you have it or have high cholesterol," said Dr. Assdaourian.
Next up, breast cancer. It's the most common in women, second to lung cancer.
It's because of the fear of the unknown that many women are not going in for screenings. The American Cancer Society lists several risk factors, nearly 10% to 15% is linked to mutations in certain genes, as well as, family history.
Nearly 44 million Americans, 68% percent are women suffer from osteoporosis, that's According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
"With osteoporosis is, women age 60 and older usually screened unless they have again, a significant family history for having been diagnosed with osteoporosis at early age or they have all the risk factors,"said Dr. Cristiane Tan, BSA Family Medical Clinic.
So women, start your vitamins now.
"Studies have shown that those age 30 and older slowly on a very slow rate, women start decreasing on their bone mass index. And so because of that, that's why it's important for us to start now, age 30 and older taking your calcium with vitamin D," said Dr. Tan.
As advancements are made in technology and research, it's important women stay informed and always know their risk factors for certain diseases and cancers.
