Canadian Women in the Dark About Their Health (Women's Health Matters article) (Web resource; WHM resource) Organization: Women's College Hospital, Women's Health Matters Physiology. Biology. Sociology. It may sound like midterms all over again, but these are the very things that make men and women different. Although Canadians may think they know all about it, the results of the 2008 Women's College Hospital X-Effects Health Index show otherwise. Three out of four women (73 percent) surveyed in this study believe they are aware of women's health issues, beyond reproductive issues. However, when asked about specific diseases and how they relate to women, the poll revealed most aren't making the grade. ‘When it comes to health care for women, you have to start by recognizing they are not men. Biological differences, as well as social roles and practices, affect women's health and health care needs. And that goes beyond the reproductive differences,’ said Gillian Einstein, PhD, senior scientist at Women's College Research Institute, director of the Collaborative Graduate Program in Women's Health and professor of psychology and public health at the University of Toronto. ‘Research shows that women and men have different symptoms with the same disease, and they get different diseases. But the awareness of this research among both doctors and their patients just isn't where it should be,’ said Dr. Einstein, who has published a book on gender-based medicine. ‘Knowing about these differences, and discussing them with your doctor, can really help Canadian women improve their overall health.’ Facing facts in women's health According to the 2008 Women's College Hospital X-Effects Health Index, women's lack of awareness about their health is from head to toe: Diabetes Half the women surveyed (48 percent) believe both men and women are experiencing the same rise in occurrence of type 2 diabetes; in fact women between the ages of 20 and 50 are experiencing the biggest rise in this serious chronic illness. Heart disease Only one-third (36 percent) of Canadian women surveyed are aware that sudden pain in the chest, arm, neck, jaw or back are not always the most common symptoms for a woman suffering a heart attack; in fact 43 percent of women report unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting during a heart attack – not chest pain. Arthritis Nearly half (45 percent) of women surveyed did not know more women suffer from arthritis than men; in fact two-thirds of Canadians living with arthritis are women and women are twice as likely to be disabled by arthritis as men. Depression Sixty-one percent of women surveyed were unaware that the number of men and women who experience depression in their lifetime is not the same; in fact research shows women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Cancer One-third (33 percent) of women surveyed mistakenly believe that men and women who smoke develop lung cancer at the same rate; in fact women are 1.5 times more likely than men to develop lung cancer and women who have never smoked are more likely to develop lung cancer than men who have never smoked. Stop the confusion – start the conversation Knowing there are differences between men and women's health is the first step, but taking action and beginning the dialogue with your family doctor will help improve a woman's overall wellbeing. According to the Health Index, only half (54 percent) of women have discussed health issues unique to women with their doctor (beyond reproductive issues) in the past year. What's holding them back? It may be that only 46 percent of women know what they should ask their physician when it comes to their specific health needs. Women can begin the conversation with a few simple questions: 1. I understand diabetes is a greater risk for heart disease for women than men. Should this be a concern for me, and if so, what can I do to decrease my risk? 2. I have heard that, along with cancer, heart disease is a major killer of Canadian women. Should I be doing more to prevent heart disease from happening to me? 3. Is it true that women are the fastest growing group affected by non-melanoma skin cancer? How do I know if I'm at risk? More about the Women's College Hospital X-Effects Health Index The Health Index was created in 2008 to better understand whether a gap exists between women's perceived and actual knowledge of health issues specific to women. The annual poll will be used to identify areas of need for education and awareness, monitor changing opinions and understanding, and ultimately help improve the health of women in Canada. For the 2008 survey, Leger Marketing conducted a national online survey of 800 Canadian women over the age of 18 years between August 21 and August 28. Related Resources: For more on this topic, please see our article on 10 important questions for women to ask their doctor. Version française :  Cliquez ici pour voir la description en français Purpose:  Consumer information/support; Health information Information Source:  Hospital/Clinic Geographic Origin:  Canada Language of Resource:  English Groups:  Adult women; Middle-aged women; Older women Last Reviewed by Women's Health Matters:  November 12, 2008