Womens' Health

Yupik Dancer
Information & Links

The following are a list of resources available in regards to various womens' health topics. More are being added all the time so check back often.

You can contact Southcentral Foundation's Womens' Health for more information at:

Anchorage Native Primary Care Center
4320 Diplomacy Drive
(907) 729-3100

Southcentral Foundation’s Breast and Cervical Health Program provides breast cancer screening to Alaska Native and American Indian women ages 18-64 in the Anchorage and MatSu Valley area. Screening providers are located at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center, the Southcentral Foundation Valley Clinic and the Alaska Native Medical Center.

Our providers offer annual exams to women 18 to 64 years of age and for women 50-64 years of age, screening mammograms. If any of these screening exams are abnormal, our providers offer diagnostic testing to rule out other health problems, including cancer.


Frequently asked Questions on breast cancer:


Question: Who is at risk?
Answer: Every women is at risk and a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer increases with age. Two-thirds of all breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Many women are surprised to learn that if there is no family history of breast cancer, they can still get the disease and that most of the women who get breast cancer have no breast cancer in the family.

Question: What is a mammogram?
Answer: A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast that can find breast cancer when it is very small, before your health care provider can feel it.

Question: Does a mammogram hurt?
Answer: A mammogram can be uncomfortable when the x-ray machine presses your breast against the x-ray plate, but it is generally not painful and takes only 20-30 seconds for the procedure for each breast.

Question: Why are these exams important?
Answer: Any woman can get cancer of the breast or cervix. These tests find cancer early, before there are any signs you can see or feel.



Frequently asked Questions on cervical cancer:


Question: What is a Pap test?
Answer: The Pap test .collects cells that can tell if a woman has one of the early changes of the cervix that may lead to cancer. The test helps find pre-cancer cells early, when cancer is preventable or cancer which may be curable if it is detected early.

Question: What is a pelvic exam?
Answer: During a pelvic exam, your health care provider will check the health of your vagina, ovaries and uterus.

Question: How performs the Pap test?
Answer: Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, community health aides, and other trained health professionals will perform the test.

Question: Why are these exams important?
Answer: Any woman can get cancer of the breast or cervix. These tests find cancer early, before there are any signs you can see or feel.

Native Cancer Chart


Recommended Internet Links:
Alaska Native/American Indian Women’s Health

Indian Health Services provides information for Alaska Native/American Indian consumers on access to care, upcoming Women’s health-related events, violence against Native women, and adult female issues: cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, and other health concerns.

Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The AK Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) is committed to the elimination of personal and societal violence in the lives of women and children.

Violence Against Native Women

Indian Health Services has developed an informative site on Violence against Native Women specifically for the Alaskan Native/American Indian woman.

Breastfeeding

This site provides information on Breastfeeding: frequently asked questions, co-sleeping, mastitis, and other helpful resources by the Indian Health Services.

Breast Cancer & Mammograms - Facts

The National Cancer Institute provides facts and recommendations about breast cancer and mammograms.

Healthy Woman Health Center

This site contains comprehensive information on women’s health topics sponsored by the National Women’s Health Resource Center.

Hormone Replacement Therapy during Menopause

This site contains information on Hormone Replacement Therapy (H.R.T.) including: clinical reviews of hormone replacement therapy, frequently asked questions, plant vs. synthetic (pill) hormones brought to you by the Indian Health Services.

Hot Flashes Etc.

A great resource for women experiencing or interested in menopause. Contains information on symptoms and different therapies for menopause.

Osteoporosis in Alaska Native/American Indian Women

Indian Health Services provides information on osteoporosis in Native Americans.

Postmenopausal Replacement Therapy

This PDF document includes recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force regarding postmenopausal replacement therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions.

Women’s Health: MEDLINE PLUS

National Health Institute and the U.S. Library of Medicine bring you the latest news, research, and treatment in reproductive health, pregnancy, breast disease, and menopause.









Provided by Google Health News