When a woman is 25 years old, she has to make a lot of lifestyle changes. You are no longer a teenager and not quite a woman. In fact, you are caught in the middle, and while you may be in exceptional health, the choices you make at this stage can determine how healthy you remain throughout your life. 'Better to be safe than sorry.'

You can no longer indulge with reckless abundance in fried chicken, greasy burgers, fries, chocolates and all the fatty foods without exercising. This may put you at risk of high cholesterol that can lead to heart disease later in life.

Pap smear

Your gynaecologist should be your friend, as frequent Pap smears and fibroid checks are necessary, because early detection can save you from cervical cancer or fibroid growth.

HIV

HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease and you need to practise safe sex.

Breast Cancer

You may think that only women over 50 years get breast cancer. But there are cases of young women being diagnosed with the disease. It is very rare at this age, but it is important that you arm yourself with the facts and learn how to do self-examinations. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so there is a lot of information to guide you.

Below is a list of things that you must take into consideration if you have not already been doing so:

1. Pap smear is testing a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix. The test is used to see how healthy those cells are and if they are cancerous. All women, 18 years and older, should have an annual pelvic examination, and so should sexually active teens.

2. Uterine fibroid is the most common benign (not cancerous) tumour of a woman's uterus. Fibroids develop within the uterine wall or are attached to it. They may grow as a single tumour, or in clusters. Uterine fibroids can cause excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. Until recently, surgeries like hysterectomies and myomectomies were the common treatment. However, there is a new non-surgical treatment available - the uterine fibroid embolisation.

3. A yeast infection is caused by a fungus. The specific type of fungus most commonly responsible for vaginitis is Candida Albicans. Yeast is commonly present on normal human skin and in areas of moisture, such as the mouth and vagina. But, it is estimated that between 20 to 50 per cent of healthy women, normally carry yeast in the vaginal area. It is normal for a woman to have two or three reoccurrences of yeast infections for the year. When it becomes more frequent, it may be an indication of diabetes.

Prescription drugs, such as antibiotics, can cause yeast infections, so does the wearing of close-fitting clothing which does not allow the crotch area to 'breathe'. It is advised that women wear cotton underwear as these are cooler than those made of synthetic material.

Regular testing

4 Cholesterol is a fat (lipid) that is produced by the liver and is crucial for normal body functioning. At 25, it is uncommon for women to have a high cholesterol level. However, it is important that you start making healthy food choices.

5 HIV/AIDS test: Statistics show that females between the ages of 10 to 19 years are three times more likely to be infected with HIV in Jamaica than males of the same age group. Women between 20 and 29 years of age are one and a half times more likely to be infected than men of the same age group. Lifestyle practices, such as abusing drugs and alcohol, smoking and promiscuity, put women in this age group at great risk. It is important to take the necessary precautions. If you are sexually active, you need to know your status and your partner's, and use protection.

6 Breast self-examination - Beginning at age 20, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-examination (BSE). Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to their doctors as soon as they are found. If you choose to do BSE, the best time to examine your breasts is when they are not tender or swollen. You can visit the Jamaica Cancer Society for tips on how to do a BSE.

Source: Dr Orville Nembhard, Health Plus Associates www.women.webmd.com, www.fibroids.com.