Webinar: Women in Your 30s, 40s, and 50s

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Barclays Health Center providers Dr. Fiorina Kyritsi and Kendall Schoenekase, FNP-BC, MSN led a 45-minute webinar to discuss the latest health concerns for women as they age. Topics included menopause, thyroid screenings, breast exams, and more.

You can view the recorded webinar below as well as a summary of 10 questions for women to assess their health.

What a whirlwind the past year and a half has been. 

COVID-19 is still present in our communities, however with many of us fully vaccinated, we are trying to safely return to some of our pre-pandemic routines. Kids are back in school, employers are welcoming staff back to their offices, and people are vacationing again and dining in at restaurants.

Getting back to some normalcy is great for our physical and mental health, but it is important for us to also stop and take inventory on our current state of health. The pandemic impacted everyone differently, but it is likely that the majority of people were pushed to new levels of stress or experienced drastic changes to their daily life, which in turn impacted areas of their health. Additionally, many people and especially women, put their routine medical appointments on hold as they waited out the pandemic. 

As we work to acclimate to our post-COVID lifestyles, we want to encourage women that haven’t yet seen their provider this year or in 2020 to schedule their annual exam.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great reminder to all women that preventive visits, such as annual exams, are essential for you to stay on top of your health and detect any anomalies early. 

Dr. Elisa Port, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai, shared in an interview with us that women are experiencing a breast cancer cure rate of more than 90%. That number is truly inspiring, but it is important to note that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is still grossly high – therefore, women need to continue to see their doctor regularly, complete their exams, and proactively discuss any health concerns.

As you think about scheduling your annual wellness exam, see below for 10 questions to ask yourself in preparation for meeting with your provider.

1. Has anything changed in my family health history?

You and your family members share genes, therefore knowing your family health history is extremely important in understanding your own health. It will help you and your provider know whether you need to screen for certain cancers early or if you have a higher-than-usual chance of developing a chronic disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

If you are interested in a deeper understanding of your genetic make-up or are lacking a full picture of your family history and want to try and fill in some blanks, a genetic test may be a great option for you and should be discussed with your provider.

2. Any changes in my mood or energy levels? What is my overall stress level?

We can all handle a little stress. It can even be a great motivator, but you have to recognize if and when your stress capacity has increased to a level that starts to affect your overall mood and energy levels. Prolonged high levels of stress can greatly impact both your physical and your mental health. I encourage you to be honest with yourself when evaluating your stress level and discuss with your provider.

3. Have my periods changed at all? Duration, flow, cramping or pain?

Like bowel movements, paying attention to the behaviors of your period can tell you a lot about your health.* Bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier than usual, last longer than seven days, or are painful can be a sign of a bigger problem. Additionally, women who have heavy flows can lead to iron-deficiency anemia leaving them feeling tired or weak.

Conversely, if you are starting to experience lighter periods or missing them altogether, this is important to note with your provider and could be associated with weight loss, a hormonal imbalance or if applicable for your age, could be a sign of nearing menopause.

*For women on birth control methods, it is harder to rely on your period to tell you as much.

4. Am I sleeping well? Falling asleep easily and staying asleep all night?

Sleep may feel like the easiest routine to get right, but for most people, they are willing to limit their sleep if they need to get other things done. Many people think that they can push themselves during the week and “catch up” on their sleep on the weekends. This approach is not sustainable and could have a negative impact on your health, especially when coupled with stress. The number of Americans experiencing insomnia is on the rise, but there are habits that can be adjusted to combat it. If you are sleeping less than 8 hours a night, having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, please bring this information to your provider.

5. Have I had my thyroid checked?

Women in their forties or older are highly likely to experience a thyroid issue. This could be a nodule or an overactive or underactive thyroid. When you visit your provider for your annual exam, you should discuss the option of having an ultrasound of your thyroid.

6. Is my current birth control method working for me?

When looking for birth control or deciding whether to switch, there are several methods and hormone formulas to consider. Additionally, if you are planning to start a family or are between children, be sure to discuss this timeline with your provider. Once you have started birth control, it is important to monitor any changes in your body such as your energy level, weight, breast tenderness, or increase in headaches. It could be an indication that you may want to consider a birth control option with a different hormone dosage.

7. Am I due for a mammogram?

Mammograms are an important preventive test for women to be getting annually. When you personally start getting mammograms can be decided between you and your provider. Per the US Preventive Services Task Force, all women 50 or older should get annual mammograms, however that age recommendation is under review and many providers suggest starting at 40 or even earlier if you have a history of breast cancer in your family.

8. Am I maintaining a balanced diet? Am I experiencing any stomach pains?

Like sleep and managing stress, your daily food and water intake is equally important to your overall health and energy levels. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also on the rise and can be terribly uncomfortable. If you have concerns about stomach pains or foods in your diet, please address these with your provider.

9. Am I up to date on all my immunizations, including HPV?

HPV (Human Papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted disease, is at the center of younger individuals developing cancer. It is the only known cause of cervical cancer in women and now the same virus is causing throat cancer in men. The HPV vaccine, which is administered to children before their teen years (11 and 12 years) and up to age 26, is also available for adults 27-45. Given the prevalence of HPV, it is important to discuss with your provider. For a list of vaccines for women, see our women’s health checklist. 

10. Am I planning to have children in the near future?

Planning to start or expand your family is an exciting time. Your provider can help address questions you may have or prepare you for what to do if and when you find out you are pregnant. Additionally, if you have been unsuccessful in getting pregnant after trying for a period of time (1 year if under 35 or 6 months if over 35), it is worth discussing with your provider. As discussed in many of the above sections, there are tests or screenings you can participate in to evaluate your fertility and rule out any other complications, such as hormone imbalance or even endometriosis, of which 20-50% of women who experience infertility may be diagnosed with.  

Schedule your annual exam

To schedule your annual exam at the Barclays Health Center, contact a Personal Health Navigator by chat through the portal, by calling +1 646 605 3900 or emailing barhcsupport@mountsinai.org. 

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Mount Sinai is now powering the Barclays Health Centers at 745 and Whippany. To receive care at one of these facilities, either in-person or virtually, you must first activate your Health Center account here.

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