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Top ten threats to women's health
And what you can do to protect yourself


Women are generally more sensible and health conscious than men, and pursue eating, drinking and smoking with greater moderation.

And yet, women's health is threatened by the same lethal conditions that affect men, many of which can be prevented through a healthier lifestyle.

In this feature, we look at the top ten causes of women's death in the UK, and what you can do to protect yourself.


Heart disease

Heart disease kills more women in the UK than any other cause. In 2008, more than 40,000 women in England and Wales died due to heart disease, and around 100,000 women have heart attacks every year.

What you can do about it
You are more at risk of heart disease if you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, smoke or are overweight. If you are over 40, overweight and "too busy" to exercise, at least take time off to visit your GP can assess your risk of heart disease. Try to cut back on foods which are rich in saturated and trans fats and high in salt and incorporate some type of physical activity into your daily routine.


Stroke

For some reason, stroke is often regarded as a condition which mainly affects men. Not so. Stroke is the second biggest cause of women's deaths in the UK. Although strokes are mores common in men, women are one and a half times more likely to die from one. They are also the leading cause of disability in the UK.

What you can do about it
A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot blocking an artery. Some risk factors for stroke can't be changed - e.g. you are more likely to have one as you age. However, eating a healthy diet rich in fibre and low in saturated fats and salt reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels, both major risk factor for stroke.


Influenza

Around 17,000 women die from infections of the lower respiratory tract each year such as flu, pneumonia and bronchitis.

What you can do about it
Older women, those with weakened immune systems and smokers are most at risk from these diseases during the winter months. Protect yourself by getting the yearly vaccinations for flu and pneumonia. Eat a healthy balanced diet to keep your immune system healthy.


Dementia

More women die from dementia than men simply because they are more likely to live longer. The biggest risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is ageing. Having a close family member with dementia is an additional risk factor.

What you can do about it
You can't stop yourself from ageing, or change your genes (not yet anyway). When it comes to diet and exercise, many studies suggest what's good for the heart is also good for the brain. Keeping mentally, physically and socially active have also been found to lower your risk of disease.


COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It kills more women than breast cancer, yet many people have never heard of it. COPD is more common in men, but women are catching up fast.

What you can do about it
Eight out of ten cases of COPD occur in smokers, so the best way to prevent it is to stop smoking. If you have a 'smokers cough' you should get it checked by your GP, who can carry out a lung function test to assess any damage to your lungs. There is no cure for COPD, but there is medication which can slow down the rate at which the disease progresses.


Lung cancer

Lung cancer kills more women in the UK than any other cancer in the UK. It causes one in five of all female cancer deaths, and more than 10,000 women die from it every year.
Nine out of ten cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. Air pollution, second-hand smoke and working with chemicals such as asbestos can also increase your chances of lung cancer.

What you can do about it
The more you smoke, the greater your risk of lung cancer. Stopping smoking not only reduces your risk of lung and other cancers, but also of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.


Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. More than 45,000 women develop the disease each year - equivalent to 125 women a day. Advances in medical research, screening and new treatments is the reason why breast cancer is not higher up in our list.

What you can do about it
All women between aged between 50 to 70 are eligible for NHS screening. Screening is by breast mammogram - a bit like an X ray. If you are not being screened, see your GP to find out why not.

If you have a close family member who has had breast cancer before the age of 50, you should inform your GP, as a minority of cases are caused by a gene which can run in families.

All women should learn what their breasts look and feel like normally, so they can notice any changes in the shape, size and texture which occur.


Kidney disease

Kidney disease is often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure.

What you can do about it
Diabetes and high blood pressure are often linked to being overweight and an unhealthy diet. Try to maintain a healthy weight, cut down on dietary salt and include some form of physical activity on a daily basis.


Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Each year around 17,000 women are diagnosed with the condition and 7,000 die from it.

What you can do about it
Poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and lack of exercise all increase the risk of bowel cancer. Diets rich in red and processed meat and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre add to the risk of disease.

Everyone between the ages of 60 and 69 in England, 50 and 74 in Scotland, and 60 and 74 in Wales are eligible for screening kits which are sent to the home. The kits detect tiny amounts of blood hidden in your faeces - don't let this put you off using them.


Ovarian cancer

There's a lot of competition for the number ten spot, but we have chosen ovarian cancer. Many medical conditions can lay claim to be a 'silent killer', but none more so than ovarian cancer.

The symptoms of early disease are often 'silent' or ignored by busy women, when treatment is most effective against the cancer. It is often mistaken by women (and some GPs) for irritable bowel syndrome.

What you can do about it
Women who have used the contraceptive pill and breast fed after pregnancy have a lower risk of ovarian cancer.

A small minority of women have inherited genes which increases their risk of ovarian cancer.

You may be eligible for screening if you have a close relative who has had the disease coupled with another who has had breast cancer before the age of 50, from the same side of the family.

Contact your GP for further details on this.

Top ten threats to men's health

They cause more than 60 per cent of all men's deaths in the UK. Find out what you can do to protect yourself


For the weaker sex, British women do pretty well. Men die sooner, they're 70 per cent more likely to die from cancers that affect both sexes and 60 per cent more likely to develop them in the first place. Why is this? Is it down to genes?

We don't think so. If you look at the top ten health threats to men living in the UK, you'll find that many can be prevented.

Some can even be stopped in their tracks if you know the warning signs, have a few tests done by your GP and make some lifestyle changes.

Heart disease

The number one threat to men’s health in the UK is heart disease, killing over 50,000 men annually - one in five of all male deaths. Sadly, most are preventable.

What you can do about it
You're at risk if you are over 40, overweight, have high blood pressure and cholesterol, are a smoker, are diabetic or have a family history of heart disease. See your GP for advice and try to modify your lifestyle: Quit smoking, improve your diet to include fruit, vegetables and fibre, avoid foods containing saturated and trans fats, limit your alcohol intake, try to maintain a healthy weight, and incorporate some exercise into your routine.

Stroke

In 2007, over 20,000 men died of stroke. Strokes cause more death in men than any single cancer and are the leading cause of disability in the UK. Around half a million people in England alone have some form of disability because of stroke.

What you can do about it
Most people think of strokes affecting only the elderly, but anyone can get one. Strokes are more common in men than women and the vast majority occur in people over the age of 45. You are more at risk of a stroke if you have high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoke, drink to excess, are overweight, diabetic, already have heart disease or have previously had a heart attack. To reduce your risk, have your GP check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, cut back on salt in your food and limit your alcohol intake.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer of men in the UK, with around 16,000 men dying from it every year.

What you can do about it
Smoking causes 90 per cent of lung cancer cases, though a family history of the disease, exposure to radon gas, air pollution, second-hand smoke and chemicals like asbestos can also cause it. The symptoms of lung cancer can include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss and fatigue. To prevent lung cancer, stop smoking, Doing so will also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of chronic lung diseases which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and annually cause the death of between 12,000 and 13,000 men in the UK. Eight out of ten cases are caused by smoking. An estimated three million people in the UK have COPD, but only 900,000 are diagnosed, probably because many ignore the symptoms.

What you can do about it
The early signs of COPD include cough, phlegm and shortness of breath - if have been or are a smoker, and have these symptoms, you should see your GP. COPD can't be cured, but it can be slowed down by medication. The best way to prevent COPD is to stop smoking. Stopping smoking will reduce your risk and help improve your symptoms if you have COPD.

Influenza and pneumonia

Influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis are all infections of the lower respiratory tract which kill, on average, over 10,000 men every year.

What you can do about it
Pneumonia is caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses. Although anyone can be infected, smokers, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more at risk. Both diseases are most common during the winter months. You can get vaccinated for the influenza, as well as against pneumonia. Make sure you keep your hands clean, as they are often in contact with germs. Don't smoke as it raises your risk of infection. Eat a healthy balanced diet and try to get some exercise, even in the winter months. This helps to keep your immune system healthy.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men. Each year approximately 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and around 10,200 die from it, yet a recent survey found that 60 per cent of men were unaware of the symptoms.

What you can do about it
Over 70 per cent of new cases occur in men over the age of 65, and having a close family member who has had the disease makes it more likely you will get it too. Early symptoms may include the need to urinate often, passing urine slowly, discomfort while urinating, blood in urine or semen, pain or stiffness in back, hips or pelvis and difficulty in having an erection.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP. There is no one way to prevent prostate cancer. However, eating a healthy balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and fibre is associated with a lower risk of many cancers. Cutting back on red meat and saturated fat and drinking alcohol in moderation may also reduce your risk.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men and each year over 20,000 men are diagnosed with the disease in the UK and around 8,500 die from it.

What you can do about it
If caught early enough, it is one of the most treatable of cancers, with 90 per cent of those diagnosed living for more than 5 years. It tends to occur in people over the age of 60 and its risk factors include a family history of the disease, having diabetes, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, a poor diet, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and being inactive. Symptoms might include bleeding from the bottom, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and tiredness.

Liver disease

In 2008 there were 4,764 deaths in England and Wales due to alcoholic liver disease. Three-quarters were men. Alcoholic liver disease is a group of illnesses which develop when the liver becomes damaged due to heavy drinking including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

What you can do about it
It's a fatal mistake to think that binge drinkers are most at risk from liver disease. People most at risk are those who drink over the limit on a regular basis over the years. Alcoholic liver disease does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been seriously damaged. When this happens, alcoholic liver disease can cause nausea, weight loss and eyes and skin turning yellow.

The best way to prevent alcohol related liver disease is not to drink alcohol, or to stick to the recommended daily limits. For men this means drinking no more than three to four units a day. One unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits.

Alzheimer's

Nervous system disorders account for 5 per cent of all male deaths in the UK. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are responsible for around half of this figure, at just over 5,000 deaths per year.

What you can do about it
The early signs of dementia include an inability to recall recent events, failure to recognize familiar faces and names, general confusion about everyday matters, language problems and mood and behavior problems. Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, with about one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six people over 80 has some type of dementia.

There is no way to prevent dementia, but generally speaking maintaining a healthy lifestyle - exercising, not smoking, keeping socially and mentally active - can help protect against both mental and physical decline.

Accidents

Accidents are the 10th biggest killer of UK men. This does not include deaths from transport related accidents, which adds a further 2,000 deaths to the 3,700 total. Four out of every ten accidental deaths are caused by falls. Drug related deaths account for another 12 per cent of accidental deaths in men, with choking and suffocating causing another per cent.

What you can do about it
Most accidents occur in the home. If you are in an accident, or are witness to one, the first thing to do is to remove yourself from any immediate danger. Call the emergency services on 999 to get professional help. Get basic first aid training for yourself and all members of your family.

Ensure that fire alarms are fitted and working. Check them regularly. Avoid walking in slippery or icy conditions, especially if you are older. Try to exercise regularly, and make sure that you have your eyesight checked regularly. Ensure that your home is free of obstacles that may trip you up.