Question

As part of learning Critical Thinking & Analysis for this course, you need to learn to evaluate and respond to political statements on public health issues. Please, respond to the scenario below. Your Public Health Dept Supervisor evaluates the American Heart Association (AHA)– Women’s Health Initiative and decides that the following Go Red for Women assertion is NOT a compelling message… AHA: “…The fact is: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute...!” In fact, he proclaims, “Of course CVD is the number one killer of women--- this is a trivial and non-compelling fact. CVD is an appropriate leading cause of death for women--- What do you WANT to be the leading cause of death for women--- Cancer…???...” The AHA and a number women’s groups are outraged at his remarks and attitude.

Answer 1

Cardiovascular disease

is the main killer of older people of both sexes almost everywhere in the world. In fact, each year cardiovascular disease causes a larger number of deaths in older women than in older men – 7.4 million women over 60 years of age compared to 6.3 million men in 2004. Although cardiovascular diseases are often thought of as diseases of affluence, cardiovascular mortality rates for women age 60 and over are more than twice as high in low- and middle-income countries as in high-income countries

Most Dangerous Cancers in Females

1. Lung & bronchus cancer
As with men, lung and bronchial cancer is the leading cause of cancerous deaths in women. The rate of female deaths associated with lung cancer increased steadily for decades, in conjunction with the increasing number of women who smoked off.

Women can also avoid lung and bronchial cancer by avoiding the use of tobacco products.

2. Breast cancer
Prior to 1987, breast cancer killed more females than lung cancer. Though breast cancer now sits at No.2 in the United States, it is still the leading cancer-killer in women worldwide. Awareness for breast cancer screenings and encouraging self-examination has improved early detection and survival rates over the past several decades, making today’s five-year survival rate 90 percent.

3. Colon & rectum cancer
One in 21 females will develop colon or rectal cancer in their lifetime. Like males, females should begin receiving colon cancer screenings at the age of 50, and earlier if there is an increased risk of development. Thanks to early detection from these screenings, colon cancer incidence rates decreased .
Pancreatic cancer develops quickly and with few symptoms, making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer. In addition, pancreatic cancer has shown resistance to chemotherapy, so new clinical trials are taking place to develop alternative treatments. As with men, obesity and tobacco use increases a woman’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

5. Ovarian cancer
More than 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer occur in the United States each year. Because ovarian cancer does not usually cause symptoms or has symptoms that tend to be associated with other issues, early detection is difficult. Ovarian cancer is most common in older women - about half of those diagnosed are age 63 or older.

Women who are most at risk are those with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Preventative surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes can decrease this risk dramatically. Women who smoke and are overweight are also at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The following increases the risk of developing cancer:

• Smoking/other tobacco use
• Poor nutrition
• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity
• Low activity levels
• Exposure to pollutants such as formaldehyde, food additives and pesticides