Accelerating women’s health: the power of prevention

Building on this year's International Women's Day theme, Accelerate Action, taking charge of our health remains one of the most impactful actions we can take. Women often prioritize the needs of others, but investing in their own preventive health supports longevity, vitality and the ability to thrive at every stage of life.

Why prevention matters for women

Women’s health needs are unique and evolve throughout life—from reproductive health and pregnancy to menopause and beyond. Despite these distinct needs, many women delay important health screenings or dismiss symptoms that could indicate underlying concerns. Proactive care is crucial. Here’s why: 

• Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women worldwide, often presenting with subtler symptoms than in men. 
• Breast cancer continues to affect thousands of women each year, with early detection being crucial to successful treatment. 
• Hormonal imbalances, osteoporosis and mental health concerns can profoundly affect overall wellbeing. 

Make a Preventive Health Assessment an annual habit 

A cornerstone of proactive healthcare, the Preventive Health Assessment (PHA) at TELUS Health Care Centres provides a thorough evaluation that can be tailored to women’s unique needs. It includes:

• Physician consultation to explore your family and medical history, address gender and age-specific health concerns and answer unlimited questions
• Healthcare professional-led head to toe physical check up
• Specialized dietary guidance for nutritional needs, including iron-deficiency and bone health
• Customized fitness assessments to enhance muscle strength and endurance, emphasizing women’s health priorities like pelvic floor and core stability 
• Vision and hearing tests, as women are more likely to experience hearing loss due to autoimmune conditions and hormonal changes
• Comprehensive lab panels for cardiovascular health, bone density and hormonal balance
• Abdominal imaging for early detection of conditions affecting liver, kidneys and gallbladder

We recognize that women's cardiovascular health requires special attention. Our  Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing helps detect heart irregularities that may present differently in women than in men. Additionally, our lung function tests address respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, which often affect women differently.

Each assessment concludes with a personalized report summarizing your results and identifying any risk factors, empowering you to make informed decisions about your future health.

Note: Services and assessments may vary based on individual health factors, provincial regulations, and location availability; additional fees may apply for certain services, and in Quebec, some tests require physician approval during initial assessment. The Preventive Health Assessment is comprehensive uninsured preventive care, separate from and complementary to publicly funded healthcare.