AURORA DORIS D.

BATAGA, RN MPH MSN

Nurse III
Maternal and Child Health Program
Cordinator
 Women's health refers to the health of women,
which differs from that of men in many unique
ways

 Oftentreated as simply women's reproductive

health,

 better expressed as "The health of women".

 Women's health refers to health issues
specific to human female anatomy.

 Theseoften relate to structures such as

female genitalia and breasts or to conditions
caused by hormones specific to, or most
notable in, females.

 Women'shealth issues include menstruation,

contraception, maternal health, child birth,
menopause and breast cancer.
Women and men also have many of the same
health problems. But these problems can
affect women differently.

 Women are more likely to die following a

heart attack than men
 Women are more likely to show signs of
depression and anxiety than men
 The effects of sexually transmitted diseases
can be more serious in women
 Osteoarthritis affects more women than men
 Women are more likely to have urinary tract
problems
 Women face health risks all throughout their
life cycle – at birth, childhood, adolescence,
reproductive age, elderly age
 and the way to avoid these risks is to provide
women and girls with adequate awareness
and information and access to affordable,
quality health services.
 Women of all ages who seek health services
should be treated in a humane,
compassionate and non-judgmental manner.
 Breast and cervical cancers are two of the
most common cancers affecting women
today.
 According to the latest global figures, each
year half a million women die from cervical
cancer and another half a million from breast
cancer.
 Many of these deaths occur in low and
middle income countries where screening,
prevention, and treatment are almost non
existent, and where the human papilloma
virus vaccine has yet to take hold.
BREAST CANCER
 BREAST CANCER
 is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

 A breast lump or thickening that feels different

from the surrounding tissue
 Change in the size, shape or appearance of a
breast
 Changes to the skin over the breast, such as
dimpling
 A newly inverted nipple
 Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the
pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple
(areola) or breast skin
 Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast,
like the skin of an orange
BREAST CANCER occurs when some breast cells
begin to grow abnormally.

These cells divide more rapidly than healthy

cells do and continue to accumulate, forming
a lump or mass.

Cells may spread (metastasize) through the

breast to the lymph nodes or to other parts
of the body.
RISK FACTORS:
 Being female. Women are much more likely than
men are to develop breast cancer.
 Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer
increases as you age.
 A personal history of breast conditions. If
you've had a breast biopsy that found lobular
carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia
of the breast, you have an increased risk of
breast cancer.
 A personal history of breast cancer. If you've
had breast cancer in one breast, you have an
increased risk of developing cancer in the other
breast.
 A family history of breast cancer. If your
mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with
breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your
risk of breast cancer is increased. Still, the
majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer
have no family history of the disease.
 Inherited genes that increase cancer
risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the
risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents
to children. The most well-known gene
mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
These genes can greatly increase your risk of
breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't
make cancer inevitable.
 Radiation exposure. If you received radiation
treatments to your chest as a child or young
adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
 Obesity.Being obese increases your risk of
breast cancer.

 Beginning your period at a younger

age. Beginning your period before age 12
increases your risk of breast cancer.

 Beginning menopause at an older age. If you

began menopause at an older age, you're more
likely to develop breast cancer.

 Havingyour first child at an older age. Women

who give birth to their first child after age 30
may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
 Having never been pregnant. Women who have
never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast
cancer than do women who have had one or more
pregnancies.

 Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who

take hormone therapy medications that combine
estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and
symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of
breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases
when women stop taking these medications.

 Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the

risk of breast cancer.
PREVENTION:
Breast Screening
Breast self-examination for breast awareness
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
Exercise most days of the week.
Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy.
Maintain a healthy weight
Choose a healthy diet.
DIAGNOSIS:
 Breast exam. Your doctor will check both of
your breasts and lymph nodes in your armpit,
feeling for any lumps or other abnormalities.
 Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the
breast. Mammograms are commonly used to
screen for breast cancer. If an abnormality is
detected on a screening mammogram, your
doctor may recommend a diagnostic
mammogram to further evaluate that
abnormality.
DIAGNOSIS:
 Breast ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves
to produce images of structures deep within the
body. Ultrasound may be used to determine
whether a new breast lump is a solid mass or a
fluid-filled cyst.
 Removing a sample of breast cells for testing
(biopsy). A biopsy is the only definitive way to
make a diagnosis of breast cancer. During a biopsy,
your doctor uses a specialized needle device
guided by X-ray or another imaging test to extract
a core of tissue from the suspicious area. Often, a
small metal marker is left at the site within your
breast so the area can be easily identified on
future imaging tests
DIAGNOSIS:
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An
MRI machine uses a magnet and radio waves to
create pictures of the interior of your breast.
Before a breast MRI, you receive an injection
of dye. Unlike other types of imaging tests, an
MRI doesn't use radiation to create the images.
TREATMENT:
Breast Cancer Surgery
 Removing the breast cancer
(lumpectomy).During a lumpectomy, which
may be referred to as breast-conserving
surgery or wide local excision, the surgeon
removes the tumor and a small margin of
surrounding healthy tissue.
 A lumpectomy may be recommended for
removing smaller tumors. Some people with
larger tumors may undergo chemotherapy
before surgery to shrink a tumor and make it
possible to remove completely with a
lumpectomy procedure.
TREATMENT:
Breast Cancer Surgery
 Removing the entire breast (mastectomy). A
mastectomy is an operation to remove all of your
breast tissue. Most mastectomy procedures
remove all of the breast tissue — the lobules,
ducts, fatty tissue and some skin, including the
nipple and areola (total or simple mastectomy).
Newer surgical techniques may be an option
in selected cases in order to improve the
appearance of the breast. Skin-sparing
mastectomy and nipple-sparing mastectomy are
increasingly common operations for breast cancer.
TREATMENT:
Breast Cancer Surgery
 Removing both breasts. Some women with
cancer in one breast may choose to have their
other (healthy) breast removed (contralateral
prophylactic mastectomy) if they have a very
increased risk of cancer in the other breast
because of a genetic predisposition or strong
family history.
Most women with breast cancer in one
breast will never develop cancer in the other
breast.
TREATMENT:
Breast Cancer Surgery
 Complications of breast cancer surgery depend
on the procedures chosen by the patient.
 Breast cancer surgery carries a risk of pain,
bleeding, infection and arm swelling
(lymphedema)
TREATMENT:
Breast Cancer Surgery
 Complications of breast cancer surgery depend
on the procedures chosen by the patient.
 Breast cancer surgery carries a risk of pain,
bleeding, infection and arm swelling
(lymphedema)
TREATMENT:
Radiation therapy
 Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of
energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill
cancer cells. Radiation therapy is typically
done using a large machine that aims the
energy beams at the body (external beam
radiation
 External beam radiation of the whole breast is
commonly used after a lumpectomy.
TREATMENT:
Radiation therapy
 Radiation therapy to the chest wall after a
mastectomy for larger breast cancers or
cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes
may be done.
 Breast cancer radiation can last from three
days to six weeks, depending on the
treatment. A doctor who uses radiation to
treat cancer (radiation oncologist) determines
which treatment is best for you based on your
situation, your cancer type and the location of
your tumor.
TREATMENT:
Radiation therapy
Side effects of radiation therapy include:
 fatigue and a red, sunburn-like rash where the
radiation is aimed.
 breast tissue may also appear swollen or more
firm.
 rarely, more-serious problems may occur, such
as damage to the heart or lungs or, very rarely,
second cancers in the treated area
TREATMENT:
Chemotherapy
 Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy fast-
growing cells, such as cancer cells. If cancer
has a high risk of returning or spreading to
another part of your body, the doctor may
recommend chemotherapy after surgery to
decrease the chance that the cancer will
recur.
TREATMENT:
Chemotherapy
 Chemotherapy is sometimes given before
surgery in women with larger breast tumors.
The goal is to shrink a tumor to a size that
makes it easier to remove with surgery.
 Chemotherapy is also used in women whose
cancer has already spread to other parts of the
body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to
try to control the cancer and decrease any
symptoms the cancer is causing.
TREATMENT:
Chemotherapy
Side effects depend on the drugs the patient
receives. Common side effects include:
 hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and an
increased risk of developing an infection.
 rare side effects can include premature
menopause, infertility (if premenopausal),
damage to the heart and kidneys, nerve
damage, and, very rarely, blood cell cancer.
TREATMENT:
Supportive (palliative) care
 Palliative care is specialized medical care that
focuses on providing relief from pain and other
symptoms of a serious illness.
 Palliative care can be used while undergoing
other aggressive treatments, such as surgery,
chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
TREATMENT:
Supportive (palliative) care
 When palliative care is used along with all of the
other appropriate treatments, people with cancer
may feel better and live longer.
 Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors,
nurses and other specially trained professionals.
Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of
life for people with cancer and their families. This
form of care is offered alongside curative or other
treatments the patient may be receiving.
BREAST SELF
EXAMINATION
Step 1: Begin by
looking at your
breasts in the
mirror with your
shoulders straight
and your arms on
your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
 Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and
color
 Breasts that are evenly shaped without
visible distortion or swelling
 If you see any of the following changes, bring
them to your doctor's attention:
 Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
 A nipple that has changed position or an
inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of
sticking out)
 Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Step 2: Now, raise
your arms and look
for the same
changes.
Step 3: While you're at
the mirror, look for
any signs of fluid
coming out of one or
both nipples (this
could be a watery,
milky, or yellow fluid
or blood).
Step 3: While you're at
the mirror, look for
any signs of fluid
coming out of one or
both nipples (this
could be a watery,
milky, or yellow fluid
or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your
breasts while lying
down, using your right
hand to feel your left
breast and then your
left hand to feel your
right breast. Use a
firm, smooth touch
with the first few
finger pads of your
hand, keeping the
fingers flat and
together. Use a
circular motion, about
the size of a quarter.
 Cover the entire
breast from top to
bottom, side to
side — from your
collarbone to the
top of your
abdomen, and
from your armpit
to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be
sure that you cover the
whole breast. You can
begin at the nipple,
moving in larger and
larger circles until you
reach the outer edge
of the breast. You can
also move your fingers
up and down vertically,
in rows, as if you were
mowing a lawn. This
up-and-down approach
seems to work best for
most women.
Be sure to feel all the
tissue from the front to
the back of your
breasts: for the skin
and tissue just
beneath, use light
pressure; use medium
pressure for tissue in
the middle of your
breasts; use firm
pressure for the deep
tissue in the back.
When you've reached
the deep tissue, you
should be able to feel
down to your ribcage
Step 5: Finally, feel
your breasts while you
are standing or sitting.
Many women find that
the easiest way to feel
their breasts is when
their skin is wet and
slippery, so they like to
do this step in the
shower. Cover your
entire breast, using the
same hand movements
described in step 4.
CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is a
type of cancer
that occurs in the
cells of the cervix
— the lower part
of the uterus that
connects to the
vagina.
CAUSES
Human papilloma Virus
 Infection
with the common human
papilloma virus (HPV) is a cause of
approximately 90% of all cervical
cancers. About half of the sexually
transmitted HPVs are associated
with cervical cancer.
Sexual History
 A woman has a higher-than-average risk of
developing cervical cancer if she:
Has had multiple sexual partners
Began having sexual relations before the
age of 18
Has a partner who has had sexual contact
with a woman with cervical cancer
RISK FACTORS:
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system
• Several pregnancies
• Giving birth at a very young age
• Long-term use of contraceptive pill
• Family history
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Bleeding that occurs between regular
menstrual periods
 Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching,
or a pelvic exam
 Menstrual periods that last longer and are
heavier than before
 Bleeding after going through a menopause
 Increased vaginal discharge
 Pelvic pain
P

PAP test
Routine screening for cervical
abnormalities that can detect
early-stage cancer and
precancerous conditions that
could progress to invasive
disease. Also known as Pap smear.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy
Pelvic ultrasound
 STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER
Stage I. Cancer is confined to the cervix

Stage II. Cancer at this stage includes the

cervix and uterus, but has not spread to
the pelvic wall or the lower portion of the
vagina
 STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER
Stage III. Cancer at this stage has moved
beyond the cervix and uterus to the pelvic
wall or the lower portion of the vagina.

Stage IV. At this stage, cancer has spread to

nearby organs, such as the bladder or
rectum, or it has spreads to other areas of
the body, such as the lungs, liver or bones.
 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
• Chemotherapy
The use of chemicals (medication)
to destroy cancer cells. Cytotoxic
medication prevents cancer cells from
dividing and growing
 Chemotherapy for cervical cancer, as well as
most other cancers, is used to target cancer
cells that surgery cannot or did not remove, or
to help the symptoms of patients with
advanced cancer.

 Cisplatin,
a chemotherapy drug, is frequently
used in combination with radiotherapy.
 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
• Radiotherapy
also known as radiation therapy. It
works by damaging the DNA inside the
tumor cells, destroying their ability to
reproduce. For patients with advanced
cervical cancer, radiation combined
cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the
most effective treatment.
 SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
Hysterectomy
 DIETARY MANAGEMENT
• Flavonoids are chemical compounds
in fruits and vegetables that are
thought to be a leading source
protection against cancer.
The flavonoid-rich foods are Apples,
Black beans, Broccoli, Cabbage,
Garlic, Onions, Soy, spinach
 PREVENTON

HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine

 If every female adheres to current
HPV vaccination programs, the total
number of female deaths from
cervical cancer globally will drop by
hundreds of thousands each year.
 PREVENTON

 Safesex
 Cervical screening
 Have few sexual partners
 Delay first sexual intercourse
 Do not smoke
 Reproductive Health Care includes:
 Family Planning Services, counseling and information
 Prenatal, postnatal and delivery care
 Nutrition and health care for infants and children
 Treatment for reproductive tract infections & STDs
 Management of abortion-related complications
 Prevention and appropriate treatment for infertility
 IEC on human sexuality, reproductive health,
responsible parenthood
 Male involvement
 Adolescent reproductive health
 Management and treatment of reproductive cancers
 Services to victim/survivors of Violence Against Women
 Prevention and management of gynecological
conditions and disorders

 Early detection is key in keeping women alive

and healthy.

 Pap smears taken during routine pelvic examina

tions can screen for disease processes in the
reproductive tract.

 Yearly Surgical Mission (Myoma) at ZNMC