National Women's Health Week meant to educate, increase checkups.

Think you know the No. 1 killer of women? You probably think it's breast cancer.

But it's not.

It's heart disease. And the top cancer killer of women in the United States? Lung cancer. And colorectal cancer isn't something only men need to worry about; women get it in equal numbers.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about women's health. That's why the federal government is emphasizing education during National Women's Health Week, May 13-19.

Action also is important.

“You change the oil in your car, you check the tire pressure, but we don't think to do little things to take care of ourselves,” said Wanda Jones, director of the Office on Women's Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Women can take very simple steps to increase their life span and improve their quality of life.”

While younger women don't need to worry as much about certain types of cancer, including breast and colorectal, women between the ages of 18-35 aren't off the hook. They're at the prime age to get regular pelvic exams and Pap smears, Jones said.

Doctors recommend getting a Pap smear every year to detect early signs of cervical cancer. But in Texas in 2004, only 81 percent of females reported having a Pap smear within three years — lower than any other state except Utah, Arkansas and Idaho.

Safe sex also is incredibly important for this age group, Jones said. HIV/AIDS remains a significant problem for African American and Hispanic women.

Your sexual behavior now can have major repercussions later on. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, and the treatment can render women infertile.

Here are some other important ways all women can improve their health:

Exercise

Eat a healthy diet

Don't smoke

Get routine preventative checkups to check your blood pressure and diabetes risks

Get immunized

Research your family's history of cancer or chronic conditions to know your risk factors

For more information about women's health and for a list of events happening in San Antonio during National Women's Health Week, visit womenshealth.gov or call (800) 994-9662.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor