For women, scheduling a yearly checkup with their doctor is just as important as maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise schedule. Checkups can lead to the early detection of many conditions, which in many cases can be manageable or curable if caught in the beginning stages.

This May 8 through 14, I encourage all women to participate in National Women’s Health Week.  That Monday, May 9, is National Women's Checkup Day.  Started nine years ago by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the goal of this week is to bring awareness to the benefits of physical activity, a nutritious diet and most of all, the necessity of a yearly checkup and preventative screenings.

For more information, please view the National Women's Checkup Day Fact Sheet or visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw.