Hundreds attend women’s health forum

This year’s forum featured presentations from medical professionals on topics ranging from breast cancer to the health effects of using tobacco.

LeeAnn McAliley Kettunen, M.D., Professional Medical Associates, gave a presentation spanning several women’s health issues entitled “Are You Up To Date?”

“As women we aren’t just taking care of ourselves,” Kettunen said. “We’re also taking care of our children and mothers, so we deal with a wide range of different age groups.”

Kettunen first addressed the use of Aspirin as a way to decrease the possibility of a heart attack or stroke.

However, she said Aspirin can also cause health problems in patients with a history of ulcers or stomach bleeds.

“Usually around 81 milligrams is enough to help prevent a heart attack, but it’s not a high enough dose to increase the risk of a stomach bleed,” she said. “It’s recommended women ages 55-79 take Aspirin if their risk of heart related issues is greater than the risk of a stomach bleed.”

Kettunen said anyone older than 79 should be assessed on an individual basis.

Alcohol abuse was also touched on during Kettunen’s presentation, which she said should be screened for in all individuals over the age of 18.

Kettunen referenced aa.org, which is the website for Alcoholics Anonymous.

She said several resources are available through the site to help an individual determine if he or she has a drinking problem, though she did mention diagnosing alcoholism falls mostly on the shoulders of family members and friends.

With regards to mammograms, Kettunen all women should have had at least one breast exam by they age of 50.

“Most women are getting them beginning at 40, and some are even getting exams after turning 35,” she said. “Most women are getting mammograms on a yearly basis, but after 40, all women should have one at least every two years.”

Kettunen said there isn’t currently enough evidence to measure the risks and benefits of mammograms in women over the age of 75.

“It’s an individual decision,” she said. “I have a grandmother who is 82 and she is very healthy and active. I would recommend she continue to have mammograms. However, after a certain age you want to ask, ‘Would I want to put this person through that and how is going to effect them?”

Pap smears, Kettunen said are not recommended for women younger than 21, even if they are currently sexually active.

Pap smears every three years are recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 29, and every three to five years for women between the ages of 20 and 65.

After 65, pap smears are only recommended for women with high risk factors for cervical cancer.

According to Kettunen, it’s also important that sexually active women ask if their pap smear includes a screening for HPV (human papillomavirus), which is one of most prevalent sexual transmitted infections today.

Other presenters included Bradley Kent Heim, M.D., of the Enterprise Women’s Center; Charity E. Dugan, D.O., of the Sawyer Surgery Clinic; Jamie Bludsworth, D.O., of Enterprise Medical Clinic; Brent Cosby, M.S., of Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center and Samuel F. Sawyer, M.D., of the Sawyer Surgery Clinic.

For more information on topics covered during the 2013 Breast Cancer and Women’s Health Issues Forum, contact the Coffee County Family Services Center at 393-8538.