Breast cancer is the second leading cancer killer of women in the U.S. It is often perceived by women to be the most serious threat to their health. Therefore, it may be surprising to find that breast cancer is not the leading cause of death in women; furthermore, it is not even the leading cancer killer.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in American women, with cancers of the female reproductive system following.

Finally, skin cancer, while often trivialized, can prove to be very dangerous. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is most frequently found in women ages 30 to 34. Although men overall are more likely to develop skin cancer, women under the age of 40 comprise the quickest growing group of skin cancer patients, with the rate of new cases continuing to increase. The number of cases for this group more than doubled between 1973 and 1975

Stroke

When separated from CVD, stroke is the third leading cause of death for women in the U.S., and is the most common cause of serious, long-term, adult disability. While women account for a lower percentage (43 percent) of those having strokes, they account for a larger portion (61 percent) of stroke deaths. At all ages, more women die from strokes than men.

Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disabling condition that is of epidemic proportions. Obesity in womenhas risen25 percent since 1970, to 36 percent of the female population. Women account for more than half of the adult obese population, and more than half of the combined "obese" and "overweight" categories.

Diabetes

Like obesity, diabetes is on the rise. Of the physician-diagnosed cases of diabetes, women account for more than half. This percentage does not improve when looking at the statistic for those who die from secondary conditions associated with diabetes. In 1998, diabetes-related conditions killed 64,751 people in the U.S., 54.3 percent of whom were women. According to the American Heart Association, diabetes in the future is expected to have a greater burden on women.

Arthritis

Arthritis affects 4.7 million Americans, 26.4 million (64 percent) of whom are women. And arthritis does not occur only in older adults. Of all the people affected by arthritis, half are younger than 65 years old. Approximately 17 percent of women in the U.S. report that arthritis limits their daily activities, making this condition the most common and disabling condition reported by women.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 25 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women. More than half of all women older than 65 suffer from osteoporosis. Like all of the health conditions discussed, osteoporosis contributes to a decreased quality of life. The condition causes 1.5 million fractures of the hip, wrists, vertebrae and other bones each year. In fact, it accounts for 70 percent of all fractures occurring annually in people older than 45.

The solution

Part of the solution to these health problems is for health and fitness professionals to help women take an active role in their health. Fitness professionals have a responsibility to educate, and to offer the necessary skills for women to be able to improve their lives. It is imperative for you to be aware of how various health conditions affect women so you can better serve your female clients and members. With many health conditions affecting more women than men, something is missing or simply not working in the healthcare continuum. Health and fitness professionals have the unique opportunity to fill this void.



REFERENCES

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Health, United States, 1999 with Health and Aging Chart Book. Hyattsville, Md., 1999.

Farley, D. Bone Builders: Support Your Bones With Healthy Habits. FDA Consumer, 1997.

McCracken, C. Understanding the Female Shopper's Mystique. Shopping Center World 29: 212-214, 2000.

Office on Women's Health. Priority Women's Health Issues. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.

By Courtney Hadden & Thomas P. Sattler.