My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Menopause and Midlife Health
The end of your menstrual cycle is a natural time of transition, and may bring on side effects like hot flashes, insomnia, or mood changes. In addition to finding solutions to these side effects, midlife is an important time to focus on total health, an active lifestyle, and regular health screenings.
Preventing Breast Cancer for Women in Midlife
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death among women in the United States. Mammography can play a critical role in early detection of breast cancer because it can identify abnormal cells before they can be detected during a breast exam.
Prevention
While we don’t yet have conclusive evidence, it appears that diet plays an important role in raising risk factors for many conditions, including breast cancer. The following tips can improve your overall health:
- Reduce fat consumption.
- Maintain an ideal weight.
- Limit alcohol to only one drink a day.
- Move to a more plant-based diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, soy foods, and flaxseed.
Screening
If you have any known risk factors, including dense breasts, please discuss your screening options with us.
Mammography. This is an X-ray exam of breast tissue that can show tumors that are still too small to be felt. We recommend a schedule of regular mammograms every 1 to 2 years between the ages of 40 and 74. Women at high risk for breast cancer should be screened more frequently and beginning at a younger age. We can review your history and decide on a screening schedule that’s best for you.
If you notice any of the following, please call us immediately:
- A new breast lump or change in breast size
- Nipple discharge or redness
- Swelling in your armpit
- Other changes in your breast tissue
Most lumps are not cancer, but we always like to check.
Additional References:
Related Health Tools:
Videos
- Mammograms Save Lives Mammograms Save Lives
- Las mamografías salvan vidas (Spanish) Las mamografías salvan vidas (Spanish)
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.