Womens HealthInfo Center

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Linked to Later Stroke
As a child grows up, a mom's memory of the pregnancy and delivery tends to fade over time. But some pregnancy complications may be important to recall later.
Breast Cancer Rx Linked to Heart Failure
Roughly one in four breast cancers has too much of a protein called HER2, which makes the cancer grow faster. The medication Herceptin (trastuzumab) targets the HER2 protein to help breast cancer patients live longer. But this medication may be linked to heart problems.
Why Breast Cancer Takes Young Women So Quickly
Breast cancer doesn’t just strike older women. Although rare, girls as young as 15 have been diagnosed with this cancer. Unfortunately, it's well-known that the disease tends to be more lethal in young women than it is in older women. Scientists recently looked into what might be behind this phenomenon.
How Women's Hearts Respond to Statins
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, and statins are one of the most common methods for preventing it. However, not many women-specific studies on statins exist.
The Pill and Cancer Risks
Women who carry mutations in the BRCA genes have higher risks for both breast and ovarian cancer. One way to reduce these risks is to have both their ovaries and breasts surgically removed. A new analysis looked at another possible way — birth control pills.
The Weight of Surviving Breast Cancer
Being overweight or obese can increase one’s odds for a number of diseases, including cancer. But it's not only weight that can affect cancer risk; ethnicity may play a role as well.
Eating Plants to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
Eating nutritious fruits and vegetables is an important part of keeping your body strong and healthy. A new study shows that a plant-based diet may also play a role in preventing cancer.
Numbing Breast Cancer Numbers
Most breast cancers are treated with surgery to remove either the tumor or the breast itself. Either operation requires some form of anesthesia to numb the body from pain and put the patient to sleep. New research suggests the type of anesthesia used during breast cancer surgery may affect outcomes.
Double-Pronged Attack on Ovarian Cancer
Sometimes cancer needs more than one kind of treatment to shrink or disappear. That’s why treatment often includes a mixture of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. In a recent study, ovarian cancer responded to a double-pronged attack.
Having a Snack Between Contractions?
Typically, pregnant women are discouraged from eating while in labor because of possible risks. But that "rule" may be loosening some.