Oh my goodness folks!  BUFFIE THE BODY is now teamed up with WESLEY VIRGIN IV at www.7DAYFITNESS.com as the Booty and Thigh Expert !!  She is going to be giving you the best advice on how to go from a ’beanpole’ body to a figure that’s BAM!  When you go to her website, www.BODYNOMICS.com , and read her bio, she’ll describe how she came from being shaped like a string bean to being being shaped like an hourglass, and a very nice one, at that!
Since joining our team, I got the chance to interview her.  After reading her bio at I was very eager to know more about what motivates her, and helps her achieve her goals.  So, I asked her some insider questions and here are her answers!

LALA:  Soooo… On your website, BODYNOMICS, you mentioned that you were a skinny girl, and wanted these curves.  You specifically said a nutritionist helped you accomplish this goal.  What did they advise?

BUFFIE: It was actually a doctor who prescribed me the appetite stimulant that helped me gain weight. He also gave me a list of foods that were healthy and high in calories. The only things I remembered being on the list were peanut butter and I think nuts.  He also mentioned resistance training to help gain muscle mass.

LALA:  Was this advice hard/easy to follow?

BUFFIE: The appetite stimulant instantly made me hungry so it was fairly easy to eat more after that. The exercising, I would say, was a little harder.

LALA:   What are the best workouts for someone who is all around shapeless?

BUFFIE: WEIGHT-LIFTING!!!!!! Nothing sculpts your body like those weights…especially free weights.  (LALA’s note here:  I specifically remember Britney Spears saying that same thing, and so many more stars saying their trainer could literally shape their bodies to what they desired through this type of training.  Go to Buffie’s sight and check this out!)

LALA:   So is food our friend when shaping our bodies?

BUFFIE: No doubt. You need the energy and nutrients from foods in order to exercise efficiently.

LALA:  You look so good.  Have you always been a pretty girl or are you noticing that your commitment to good health has made you more attractive?

BUFFIE: Wow…thank you    I definitely would say exercising makes me more confident, and being more confident makes me even more conscience about other things like my skin, hair, smile (teeth) and even my attitude.

LALA:  How did you get to know Wesley?  And how/why did you want to get involved with www.7DayFitness.com?

BUFFIE:  I met Wesley through Youtube. I’m always extra attentive to people who are in the fitness industry.  I learn so much from communicating with fitness gurus like Wesley.  So we started chatting about fitness, and we became cool.

LALA:    I’ve noticed in life, when we’re tempted to make poor choices, that sometimes a ‘saying in our head’ or ‘mantra’ helps us to keep going in the right direction.  For example, when quitting an addiction that has drug us down in the mud, we can repeat to ourselves, “You were raised better than that.”  Do you have a mantra that you use whenever you just don’t feel like doing your workout routine?  Is there something that really just gets you going?

BUFFIE: What gets me going is the fear of possibly looking horrible and losing my good health if I don’t continue to exercise.

LALA:   Oh, that’s a good one.  I can definitely appreciate that.  Lastly, are there any drinks/foods that physically get you going?

and ready for BUFFIE’S PROFOUND ANSWER….

BUFFIE: Water! There’s nothing better !

LALA:  Thank you Buffie, and good luck with all your ventures!

BUFFIE: Thank you!

So, you hear it time and time again, that water is a very key ingredient when it comes to working out and having your fitness lifestyle that you desire.  Buffie, Wesley and their team members are willing to be your personal trainers that you need to shape your body into what you desire.  It’s not impossible.  It’s a step-at-a-time process and a step in the right direction.  What direction are you going, today?  Look up BUFFIE’S website and read her bio.  Look up some of her interesting videos where she’ll show you as she measures her body.  It’s incredible!  She even does a BMI video!  This lady has learned some stuff the hard way and is GIVING  you the information!  So, take one step in her direction and become involved in www.7DayFitness.com where she has teamed up with Wesley Virgin IV to make your exercising/body-shaping experience a much more enjoyable one.

Postscript: I realize some things sound like a commercial for Wesley and his site.  But, remember, commercials.. honest ones anyway, are there to point you to a product or service that is beneficial.  So, please go check out BUFFIE and one of her ridiculously cool videos!

–
GET FIT WITH PASSION

Wesley Virgin IV, Master Virtual Fitness Trainer
A New Way To Train.
7DayFitness.com

The study — recently published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition– is the first to examine soda’s affect on stroke risk. Previous research has linked sugar-sweetened beverage consumption with weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout and coronary artery disease.

“Soda remains the largest source of added sugar in the diet,” said Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD, study author and Research Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute. “What we’re beginning to understand is that regular intake of these beverages sets off a chain reaction in the body that can potentially lead to many diseases — including stroke.”

The research analyzed soda consumption among 43,371 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study between 1986 and 2008, and 84,085 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study between 1980 and 2008. During that time, 2,938 strokes were documented in women while 1,416 strokes were documented in men.

In sugar-sweetened sodas, the sugar load may lead to rapid increases in blood glucose and insulin which, over time, may lead to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and inflammation. These physiologic changes influence atherosclerosis, plaque stability and thrombosis — all of which are risk factors of ischemic stroke. This risk for stroke appears higher in women than in men.

In comparison, coffee contains chlorogenic acids, lignans and magnesium, all of which act as antioxidants and may reduce stroke risk. When compared with one serving of sugar-sweetened soda, one serving of decaffeinated coffee was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of stroke.

In addition, study findings show that men and women who consumed more than one serving of sugar-sweetened soda per day had higher rates of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and lower physical activity rates. Those who drank soda more frequently were also more likely to eat red meat and whole-fat dairy products. Men and women who consumed low-calorie soda had a higher incidence of chronic disease and a higher body mass index (BMI). The investigators controlled for these other factors in their analysis to determine the independent association of soda consumption on stroke risk.

“According to research from the USDA, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has increased dramatically in the United States over the past three decades, and it’s affecting our health,” said Dr. Bernstein. “These findings reiterate the importance of encouraging individuals to substitute alternate beverages for soda.”

SOURCES:
ScienceDaily.com

Following a healthy diet and eating all of the right foods and is all well and good for your start on weight loss but what you put on top could make or break that scale. You can count calories until the day you die and while you may be successful for a short while, if you are sprinkling that salt shaker or pouring on the salad dressing, you could be doing a great deal of damage. It’s understandable that some people use these condiments and spices in order to make their food much more flavorful but there’s a fine line between what you should be using. What you garnish your food with is almost just as important as what that food is.

CONDIMENTS/SPICES TO AVOID

There are so many condiments and spices on your grocery shelves or in your own kitchen. Some of these spices can be seriously damaging to not only your waist line but also your general health. What people put on their food or dip their food in tends to take the back seat when it comes to dieting when it really should be right up front in the passenger’s seat. If you are looking to get the absolute best results you can from your diet, avoid these common condiments and spices that people put on their foods.

SALT

This is almost a no-brainer. Everybody knows that salt is bad for us yet you still see the salt shaker on their kitchen table every single day. So what’s the deal? Why is salt so bad? Well, before we get to why it’s not so good for the body, let’s talk about why it IS good. The human body needs sodium, or salt, to live. It’s a very important mineral but it is only needed in small amounts. Most human beings get a substantial amount of sodium in their diet. Consuming to much of that salty goodness can take a toll on your weight as well as your health. Salt doesn’t actually make you fat. What it does is it makes you retain water, which makes you heavier. It will also make you appear to be heavier by making you bloated. If you have ever eaten a really salty meal and then tried a bathing suit on a couple hours later, you may have noticed your face looks puffy and so does your stomach. You can thank the high sodium content of your food for this. The best way to avoid an over intake of salt is to throw out that salt shaker. Aside from cutting back on fast foods, chips, and canned soups…putting down the salt shaker is the first step.

BARBEQUE SAUCE & KETCHUP

The biggest misconception people have about these two condiments is that they are healthy. This is such a false statement! While they are not the worst foods for you to eat, they provide almost no nutritional value. Both ketchup and barbeque sauce are used on many healthy foods in order to give them flavor. Little did you know that these two sauces are full of sodium and sugar. Sodium and sugar are two things that can take a toll on your weight loss. They can also be detrimental to your health. If you are going to use these condiments, it is best to use the sugar free organic kind.

SYRUP

Like salt, this may seem like a no brainer but many people use syrup way more than they should. Pancakes are not the healthiest thing you should be eating but nowadays, there are a ton of recipes for diet or health pancakes. There are berry pancakes, protein pancakes, fiber pancakes, oatmeal pancakes, nut pancakes, whole wheat pancakes, and the list goes on. If you are someone who loves pancakes, I’m sure you have given at least one of the healthy recipes a try. But before your reach for that Aunt Jemima bottle, think again. While the pancake may be loaded with whole grains, fiber, and protein…you are topping it with pure, sticky, artificial sugar. Top your healthy pancakes with fresh fruit or even drizzling a little bit of honey on top to make for a healthier choice.

CONDIMENTS/SPICES TO USE

Not all condiments or spices are bad to use. There are actually some that you should be incorporating in to your diet to get even better results. To find out what spices and condiments you should be using, read along.

CINNAMON

Looking to give your metabolism a boost? Begin by eating cinnamon. This spice is known for its comforting properties. Many people associate cinnamon with apple pie and lattes but this spice can be used in many different dishes to really jump start your weight loss. Aside from its metabolism boosting properties, it’s also been shown to reduce inflammation such as arthritis. Other benefits of cinnamon include reducing blood sugar and your LDL cholesterol levels (your bad cholesterol.) Instead of putting a spoonful of sugar in your coffee, sprinkle some cinnamon instead.

BLACK PEPPER

Unlike its partner, salt, black pepper has been shown to provide many benefits. It will boost your metabolism, help burn fat, and aids in digestion.
Ginger. This spice provides its best benefits when used fresh. You can buy ginger in the produce section of your grocery store. The greatest benefit for weight loss that ginger can have is that it helps to suppress appetite. Unlike some of the diet pills out there, ginger is a natural appetite suppressant and only does so at a mild rate. Other benefits of ginger include aiding in digestion, removing toxins, and raising the temperature of the body which will help boost your metabolism. Ginger is great in many Asian dishes as well as in tea!

CAYENNE PEPPER

This mouth burning spice has been shown to produce incredible results when it comes to weight loss and fat burning. Spicy foods have always gotten a good rep when it comes to aiding in weight loss. Cayenne also has a thermogenic property which increases the body temperature and leads to an increase in daily calorie burn. If you aren’t in to this spicy spice, the benefits can be seen by also taking the capsule form.

SOURCES:
http://dualfit.com

1. Saturated Fats

Many of us know saturated fats as “bad” fats, but new research has led experts to question whether they are linked to heart disease, as previously thought. And one study even found that certain saturated fats can be metabolized by your body faster than others, which means they are rarely stored as flab. If a fat is solid at room temp, it’s likely saturated.

Try:
1 tablespoon butter (salted)
(12 g fat, 102 cal)

1 tablespoon coconut oil
(14 g fat, 117 cal)

8 ounces reduced-fat milk (2 percent)
(5 g fat, 122 cal)

3 ounces cooked ground beef, 85 percent lean
(13 g fat, 212 cal)

 2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

Eating this form of unsaturated fat can help improve cholesterol levels. MUFAs may steady blood sugar.

Try:
1/4 avocado
(7 g fat, 80 cal)

10 large green olives
(4 g fat, 40 cal)

1 tablespoon peanut butter
(8 g fat, 94 cal)

3. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs)

These fats tend to be liquid at room temperature, like oils. PUFAs can help reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease by helping improve cholesterol. PUFAs are often in plant-based foods.

Try: 
1 tablespoon safflower, corn, sunflower, soy, cottonseed, peanut, or other vegetable or nut oil
(14 g fat, 120 cal)

1 ounce dry-roasted sunflower seeds
(14 g fat, 165 cal)

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These may protect against cardiovascular disease. “Getting sufficient omega-3s is tough,” says Blaue. You’d have to eat salmon three times a week to get 500 milligrams per day of O-3s, the amount needed to reap the heart benefits. Fish oil may fight body inflammation.

Try: 
3 ounces cooked salmon
(4 g fat, 114 cal)

1 can sardines (3.75 ounces) in oil
(11 g fat, 191 cal)

1 ounce walnuts (about 14 halves)
(18 g fat, 185 cal)

 5. Omega-6 Fatty Acids

To help decrease the risk of dying from coronary disease, “people should get a 1-to-1 ratio of omega-6 fats to O-3s,” says Blaue. Otherwise, our bodies can metabolize O-6s in a harmful way. “Most American diets,” she says, “have a 20-to-1 ratio of O-6s to O-3s.” O-6s can help you absorb more vitamins from food.

Try: 
1 tablespoon margarine
(11 g fat, 101 cal)

2 tablespoons Caesar salad dressing
(17 g fat, 163 cal)

1 tablespoon almond butter
(9 g fat, 98 cal)

 SOURCES: 

By The Editors of Women’s Health
Yahoo Health

• Mold
• Maggots
• Animal excrement
• Carcinogenic hormones

Answer: They can all be in your food. Legally.

Disturbing, right? The truth is, as we discovered while researching the all-new Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide, the food you buy in grocery stores isn’t nearly as safe or as healthy as you’d like it to be. Perhaps that’s why 48,000 Americans develop food poisoning every year.

So what can you do about it? Protect yourself by asking questions. It’s your food; you have a right to know what’s inside. I’ll even give you a head start—with the help of Rodale.com writers Leah Zerbe and Emily Main, I’m exposing the 5 most gag-inducing foods in your supermarket.

#1: Pink Slime in Beef

The Gross Factor: The meat industry likes to call it “lean finely textured beef,” but after ABC News ran a story on it, the public just called it what it looks like—pink slime, a mixture of waste meat and fatty parts from higher-quality cuts of beef that have had the fat mechanically removed. Afterward, it’s treated with ammonia gas to kill salmonella and E. coli bacteria. Then it gets added to ground beef as a filler. Food microbiologists and meat producers insist that it’s safe, but given the public’s reaction to the ABC News report, there’s an ick factor we just can’t overcome. The primary producer of pink slime just announced that it’s closing three of the plants where pink slime is produced, and Kroger, Safeway, Food Lion, McDonald’s, and the National School Lunch Program (among others) have all pulled it from their product offerings.

Eat This Instead: Organic ground beef is prohibited from containing pink slime, per National Organic Program standards, so it’s your safest bet. If you can’t find organic, ask the butcher at your grocery store whether their products contain the gunk.

#2: Mercury in Oatmeal

The Gross Factor: Sugary and calorie-laden, those convenient instant-oatmeal packets all have one thing in common. They’re sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which, according to tests from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, may be contaminated with mercury. The group tested 55 samples of HFCS and found mercury in a third of them at levels three times higher than what the average person should consume in a day.

Eat This Instead: Buy yourself some instant oats, which cook in less time than it takes to microwave a packet of the sugary stuff, and add your own flavorings, like fresh fruit or maple syrup. And buy HFCS-free versions of other foods as well. The artificial sweetener lurks in seemingly all processed foods.

“CEREAL” OFFENDERS: Skip over these wholesome-sounding grains—the FDA doesn’t regulate many popular packaging claims, which is why you have to look out for these 9 “Natural” Cereals That Aren’t.

#3 MRSA in the MEAT AISLE

The Gross Factor: Hard-to-treat, antibiotic-resistant infections are no joke. Superbug strains like MRSA are on the rise, infecting 185,000 people—and killing 17,000—people annually in the United States. Thought to proliferate on factory farms where antibiotics are overused to boost animal growth, a January 2012 study from Iowa State University found that the dangerous organisms wind up in supermarket meat, too. The dangerous MRSA strain lingered in 7 percent of supermarket pork samples tested. The bacteria die during proper cooking, but improper handling could leave you infected. The spike in superbug infections is largely blamed on antibiotic abuse in factory farms that supply most supermarkets.

Eat This Instead: The Iowa state researchers found MRSA in conventional meat and store-bought “antibiotic-free” meat likely contaminated at the processing plant. Search LocalHarvest.org to source meat from small-scale producers who don’t use antibiotics or huge processing plants.

CHUCK BOMB: If the meds don’t scare you, maybe this will: Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger has more than 1,200 calories! And that’s not even the worst we found! Check out our complete list of the 15 Worst Burgers in America!

#4: Rocket Fuel in Lettuce

The Gross Factor: Lettuce is a great source of antioxidants, and thanks to the great state of California, we can now eat it all year long. However, much of the lettuce grown in California is irrigated with water from the Colorado River. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado River water is contaminated with low levels of perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel known to harm thyroid function, and that perchlorate can be taken up inside lettuce plants. A separate study from the Environmental Working Group found perchlorate in 50 percent of store-bought winter lettuce samples.

Eat This Instead: Perchlorate is hard to avoid, but some of the highest levels in the country have been found in California’s agricultural regions. If you eat locally and in season, you can ask your local farmers whether it’s a problem in their irrigation water supply.

GREEN GIANTS! Lettuce makes our list of 9 Spring Superfoods that fortify your immune system, strengthen your bones, ward off allergies, and more!

#5: Moldy Berries

The Gross Factor: The FDA legally allows up to 60 percent of canned or frozen blackberries and raspberries to contain mold. Canned fruit and vegetable juices are allowed to contain up to 15 percent mold.

Eat This Instead: Go for fresh! When berries are in season, stock up and freeze them yourself to eat throughout the winter. To freeze them, just spread fruits out on a cookie sheet, set the sheet in your freezer for a few hours, then transfer the berries to a glass jar or other airtight, freezer-safe container.

Mold isn’t the worst of it. Find out what else is in your canned fruit by reading our full list of The Nastiest Things in Your Supermarket!

SOURCES:
Yahoo Health
David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding (editor-in-chief of Men’s Health)

New research adds to the growing evidence that daily aspirin may help prevent certain cancers from occurring. On top of that, daily aspirin may also be an effective treatment for people who already have cancer.

In a series of studies published in The Lancet, researchers in the United Kingdom expanded on previous research linking daily low-dose or full-strength aspirin use to a reduced risk of death from cancer over a decade of follow-up.

In their latest work, the researchers examined the short-term impact of aspirin therapy on cancer, finding a reduction in cancers after about three years of daily aspirin use, says University of Oxford professor of medical neurology Peter M. Rothwell, MD, PhD, who led the studies.

People taking aspirin for as few as five years had a lower risk of dying from cancer and of having their disease spread once it had been diagnosed.

Daily Aspirin Reduced Cancer Deaths

In one of the new studies, Rothwell and colleagues analyzed data from 51 trials originally designed to examine the impact of daily aspirin on heart attack and stroke risk.

According to the analysis, taking a low-dose aspirin every day reduced the risk of death from cancer by 37% after at least five years of use.

Taking a daily aspirin for at least three years reduced cancer incidence by close to 25% in both men and women.

In a second study, the researchers examined the impact of daily aspirin therapy on cancer metastasis, or spread, by analyzing newly published data from five other large trials.

Among the findings:

• Over an average follow-up of six-and-a-half years, daily aspirin use was associated with a 36% reduced risk of cancer with distant spread.

• Colorectal cancer patients with localized disease had a 74% reduced risk for having their disease spread when they took a daily aspirin.

• Daily aspirin use was associated with a 35% reduction in cancer deaths among patients with solid tumors, but not blood cancers such as leukemia.

• A third analysis of trials also showed that regular aspirin use seemed to reduce the long-term risk of developing colorectal cancer, as well as cancers of the esophagus and breast.

Talk to Your Doctor About Risks, Benefits

Three years ago, health policy experts weighed in on the use of daily aspirin therapy for the prevention of heart and blood vessel disease.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force now recommends aspirin therapy for men between the ages of 45 and 79 when the potential benefit for lowering heart attacks outweighs the risks. The task force recommends aspirin therapy for women between the ages of 55 to 79 when the potential benefit for lowering strokes outweighs the risks.

These risks include major bleeds such as stomach bleeds, which are uncommon but can be fatal.

One key finding in the new analysis is that the risk for major bleeds decreased over time in patients on daily aspirin.

“We believe randomized trials of aspirin for the treatment of cancer are urgently needed,” Rothwell says. “In the meantime, I think it would be reasonable for cancer patients who do not have an increased risk for [stomach] bleeds to take aspirin.”

Talk to Your Doctor First…

In an editorial published with the study, Andrew T. Chan, MD, MPH, and Nancy R. Cook, ScD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, conclude that future guidelines regarding the use of daily aspirin must consider the therapy’s impact on cancer as well as on heart attack and stroke risk.

Chan says that in the absence of definitive data, patients need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of daily aspirin with their health care provider before starting the therapy.

“This discussion has to include the patient’s individual risks and the limitations of the data,” he says. “But we can’t ignore the data, which, though not definitive, are quite strong.”

Eric Jacobs, PhD, who is strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology for the American Cancer Society, agrees that no one should start aspirin therapy for any reason without talking to his or her doctor.

“Any decision about treatment should be made on an individual basis in consultation with your health care professional,” he says. “Even low-dose aspirin can substantially increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal bleeding.”

SOURCES:
Blackdoctor.org

http://www.twitter.com/bodynomics

http://www.facebook.com/bodynomics

Past research has tied red meat to increased risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. The studies have also pointed to an elevated risk of mortality from red meat intake. But most of these studies were done over limited periods of time, had design flaws, or were done in populations with diets other than that of the typical American.

A research team led by Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health set out to learn more about the association between red meat intake and mortality. They studied over 37,000 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (beginning in 1986) and over 83,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (beginning in 1980). All the participants were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at the start of the study.

The participants filled out food frequency questionnaires every 4 years. The scientists also gathered information every 2 years on a variety of other health factors, including body weight, cigarette smoking and physical activity level. The study was supported by NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It appeared online in Archives of Internal Medicine on March 12, 2012.

Almost 24,000 participants died during the study, including about 5,900 from cardiovascular disease and about 9,500 from cancer. Those who consumed the highest levels of both unprocessed and processed red meat had the highest risk of all-cause of mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. After adjusting for other risk factors, the researchers calculated that 1 additional serving per day of unprocessed red meat over the course of the study raised the risk of total mortality by 13%. An extra serving of processed red meat (such as bacon, hot dogs, sausage and salami) raised the risk by 20%.

The researchers estimated that substituting 1 serving per day of other foods—like fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, low-fat dairy and whole grains—for red meat could lower the risk of mortality by 7% to 19%. If the participants had all consumed fewer than half a serving per day (about 1.5 ounces) of red meat, the scientists calculated, 9.3% of the deaths in men and 7.6% of the deaths in women could have been prevented.

“Our study adds more evidence to the health risks of eating high amounts of red meat, which has been associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers in other studies,” says lead author Dr. An Pan.

Since this was an observational study in which people reported their own food intake, it’s possible that the associations seen may be due to other factors. When the researchers accounted for known risk factors in red meat—like saturated fat, dietary cholesterol and iron—they still couldn’t account for all of the risk associated with eating red meat. Other mechanisms may be involved, or other unknown factors may affect the results. Further study will be needed to fully understand the connection between red meat consumption and health.

—by Harrison Wein, Ph.D.

SOURCES:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

But…what about your visits to the doctor? If keeping up with medical tests isn’t on your list of healthy behaviors, you’re falling into the mistake that many fit women make: thinking that a healthy lifestyle makes it unnecessary to get routine exams.

To truly be your healthiest, here are some facts you need to know…

• In 2006, African American women were 10% less likely to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, however, they were almost 40% more likely to die from breast cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.

• African-American women are 35 percent more likely to die of heart disease than Caucasian women, and surveys show they are far less aware of their risk factors.

• Black women develop hypertension earlier in life and have higher average blood pressure than white women, according to HHS.

• Nearly half of black women have a total cholesterol number that is way too high.

• Two thirds of blindness and visual impairment cases occur in women

• According to the CDC, in 2010, the rate of chlamydia among black women was over seven times the rate among white women.

• In 2010, 69% of all reported cases of gonorrhea occurred among blacks. The rate of gonorrhea among blacks in 2010 was 432.5 cases per 100,000 population, which was 18.7 times the rate among whites.

• The overall 2010 syphilis rate for blacks was eight times the rate for whites. In 2010, the rate of syphilis among black men was 7.1 times the rate among white men; the rate among black women was 21 times the rate among white women.

Here are the primary medical exams that ALL women need…

Pap Smear

Who to see: Gynecologist

Why: Pap smears aid in early detection of cervical cancer. African-American women’s mortality rate from it is 50% higher than all other groups of women according to the American Cancer Society. Collecting cells from the cervix during a pelvic exam is the best way to tell if your cervix is healthy — cell changes can lead to cervical cancer.

How often: Starting at age 21, most women need to be screened every other year or less, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Once you turn 30 — and you’ve had three consecutive negative tests and no abnormal history — you can get it done once every three years.

Clinical Breast Exam

Who to see: Gynecologist or general practitioner (GP)

Why: While white women are diagnosed with breast cancer more often, Black women are more likely to die from it, especially since it only tends to be discovered at more advanced stages. A doctor can feel or see abnormalities in breast tissue, skin and nipples that can indicate cancer.

How often: At least once every three years in your twenties and thirties. But if you want to be checked more frequently, simply ask. After age 35, go yearly.

Skin Cancer Screening

Who to see: Dermatologist

Why: Only about 31 percent of African-American adults engage in at least one form of sun protection behavior such as wearing a hat, while 63 percent never use sunscreen, according to a new study. The problem? Melanoma is more than 10 times higher in whites compared to blacks, but over a five-year span, blacks have a 78 percent lower survival rate compared to 92 percent of whites, according to study background material. A doctor can ID weirdly shaped moles or other growths that might be cancerous or precancerous.

How often: Get new or changed growths assessed ASAP. If you’re a current or recovering tanning-bed or sun lover, are fair or dotted with moles or freckles or have a family history of skin cancer, see the derm twice a year. If not, go annually.

Hearing Test

Who to see: Audiologist or certified speech-language pathologist

Why: Hearing loss affects nearly two-thirds of older Americans, but blacks are much less likely than whites to have hearing problems, a new study shows. That said, another recent study shows that hearing loss has become a real problem for the more than 12 percent of people in their twenties and thirties who already have some form of hearing loss.

How often: Once every 10 years until age 50, then every three years.

Immunizations

Who to see: Your GP

Why: According to the CDC, African American adults are less likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have received some of the most basic vaccines on a regular basis. Up-to-date vaccinations protect you from all sorts of diseases, including some you thought went the way of the dinosaur, such as whooping cough.

How often: At your next physical, have your M.D. review your vaccination history. Some inoculations become less effective over time, so you may need a booster. For example, tetanus shots are vital every 10 years, no rusty nails required.

Blood Pressure

Who to see: Your GP

Why: Black women develop hypertension earlier in life and have higher average blood pressure than white women, according to HHS. The higher it is, the greater your chance of having heart disease, a stroke or kidney damage.

How often: Once every two years if it’s 120/80 or below. If you’ve already been diagnosed with hypertension — or your doc says you’re at risk — measure your BP at home regularly, too.

Cholesterol Panel

Who to see: Your GP

Why: Nearly half of black women have a total cholesterol number that is way too high. High cholesterol means higher risk for heart disease. You want total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL; LDL (bad cholesterol) under 100 mg/dL; HDL (good stuff) 60 mg/dL or more; and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL.

How often: At least once every five years, starting at age 20.

BMI/Weight

Who to see: Your GP

Why: African-American women have the highest rates of being either overweight or obese, compared to other groups in the United States. About 4 in 5 African-American women are overweight or obese. The problem? Pick a disease, any disease: chances are, being overweight puts you at an elevated risk. Your doctor should weigh you and calculate your body-mass index, the measurement of your weight relative to your height.

How often: Yearly. And if you’re looking to shed pounds, weigh yourself once a week at home and visit your physician monthly to help track your progress.

Age-Specific Tests That Women Need

In Your 20?s…

Eye Exam

Who to see: Ophthalmologist

Why: Studies have show that Black women’s vision tends to be more at risk than that of Black men or other groups. Also, two thirds of blindness and visual impairment cases occur in women. Many eye problems, such as glaucoma and retinopathy, are detected only via exam. Plus, checkups can help pinpoint related health concerns, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

How often: At least once between the ages of 20 and 29 and twice between ages 30 and 39. Wear glasses or contacts? Take meds that affect your vision? Got diabetes? Go annually.

STD Screening

Who to see: Your gynecologist or GP

Why: Some of the highest rates of STD contraction occur in Black women, including for HIV. More bad news: chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, are on the rise, as is syphilis.

How often: Annually if you’re 24 or younger, or if you’ve had sex with multiple or new partners in the past year, regardless of age. Pregnant? Get screened ASAP.

Age-Specific Tests That Women Need

In Your 30?s…

Thyroid Check

Who to see: Your GP

Why: Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, affects women as much as seven times more than men. Undetected, it can lead to weight gain, joint pain, infertility and even heart disease.

How often: Once every five years starting at age 35.

HPV Test

Who to see: Gynecologist

Why: Two types of HPV cause about 70 percent of all cervical cancers. After age 30, women are less likely to clear the cancer-causing infections.

How often: Request an HPV test with your Pap. If both results are normal, you may not need to be screened for another three years. But no matter how old you are, if your Pap comes back abnormal, ask your doc about getting tested.

Mammogram

Who to see: Radiologist

Why: Black women have higher death rates from breast cancer. This X-ray helps detect changes in breast tissue that can signal breast cancer.

How often: Annually. While a government task force recently changed their recommendation to yearly screenings starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society still urges Black women to start their screenings earlier, and to get a baseline mammogram around 35 (earlier if there is a family history of breast cancer). If may help to get a mammogram when your breasts are less tender, usually during the week right after your period.

Age-Specific Tests That Women Need

In Your 40?s…

Test: Blood Sugar Check

Who to see: Your GP

Why: It’s no surprise that Type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — is one of the biggest health challenges facing African Americans, and especially African-American women. African Americans also have high rates of at least two of diabetes’ most serious complications: amputation and kidney failure. Fasting glucose levels shouldn’t exceed 100 to 125 mg/dL. Higher? Could be diabetes.

How often: Once every three years starting at age 45.

Do I Need To Get Tested More Often?

For different reasons, certain women should be tested for particular illnesses and conditions more often, or earlier, than what is routinely recommended for the general public.

Here are some of the health exceptions that you should be aware of:

If you have a family history of heart disease…

Go for regular cholesterol checks. (Your doctor will determine the best schedule). Also, if you’re experiencing symptoms, ask if certain screening methods, such as an electrocardiogram or an exercise treadmill test, are right for you.

If you have a family history of breast, ovarian or colorectal cancer…

Find out how old each first-degree relative was when diagnosed. Some docs recommend beginning screening 10 years earlier than the age of the diagnosis of the youngest affected relative. Have multiple first-degree relatives who’ve had ovarian or breast cancer? Perhaps talk to a genetic counselor to assess your risk.

If you are overweight or obese…

In addition to regular blood-pressure checks, keep close tabs on your glucose levels. Also, it’s important to note that shedding just 5 to 10 percent of your weight can neutralize your diabetes risk. Thyroid problems can also cause weight gain, so ask your doctor for a test.


SOURCES:
Blackdoctor.org