KUTV — Intermountain Health is offering free Ladies Night Out events at 11 hospitals across Utah and in Burley, Idaho this Fall to help celebrate women’s health and to teach women more about their healthcare needs through various stages of their lives.
“As women we spend so much time as caregivers for children, family, and our friends that often remembering to take care of ourselves is last on our list. We must make our own health and well-being a priority,” said Dr. Denitza Blagev, is a pulmonologist and the chief medical officer for Intermountain Riverton Hospital.
Research shows women make 80 percent of the healthcare decisions for their families. So, the more informed they are, the healthier they and their loved ones can be.
The Intermountain Ladies Night Out events aim to empower women with the knowledge, resources, and support to make these decisions, which can ultimately help improve the public health outcomes for our communities.
Women will leave each event with information about the health screenings or services they might need for whatever stage of life they’re in – from adolescence to childbirth, to the postpartum period, to helping to prevent breast cancer with regular mammograms, and through the ups and downs of menopause and beyond.
The Intermountain Health Ladies Night Out events will take place at 11 Intermountain hospitals in Utah and Idaho. Women of any age can attend.
The Intermountain Ladies Night Out schedule is as follows:
- Intermountain Alta View Hospital, Sandy: Thursday, Sept. 25
- Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital, Heber City, Thursday, Oct. 2
- Intermountain Riverton Hospital, Riverton: Thursday, Oct. 2
- Intermountain Layton Hospital, Layton: Monday, Oct. 6
- Intermountain Medical Center, Murray: Tuesday, Oct. 7
- Intermountain Sanpete Valley Hospital, Mt. Pleasant: Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, Provo: Thursday, Oct. 9
- Intermountain LDS Hospital, SLC: Thursday, Oct 9
- Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital, Burley: Thursday, Oct 9
- Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital, Logan: Thursday, Oct 23
- Intermountain Park City Hospital, Park City: Thursday, Nov 6
Women will be able to meet and interact with women’s health providers from various medical specialties, including women and newborn care, behavioral health, mammography, nutrition, and pediatrics, as well as caregivers who specialize in women’s sports medicine, physical therapy, urology, and breast reconstruction.
“As women, we often put our own health on the back burner. Getting regular mammograms starting at age 40 is one of the most proactive things you can do to help detect breast cancer early,” advises Dr. Blagev.
We’re seeing breast cancer in younger patients. If you have a history of breast cancer, it’s recommended to get a mammogram earlier than age 40. If you do a breast self-exam and notice a change in your breasts, make an appointment.
Dr. Blagev recommends women that women keep up on all their health screenings, not just mammograms. Pap smears to check for cervical cancer are recommended every 1-3 years after age 18.
“Many women don’t know that heart disease is the number one killer for women, as it is for men. It’s important to control your cholesterol (lipids), high blood pressure, and other modifiable risk factors to prevent heart disease,” she said. “And don’t forget a colonoscopy is recommended at age 45 to screen for colon cancer. And bone density screenings for osteoporosis are recommended for women over age 65 or at risk for fractures.”
Intermountain Ladies Night Out events offer a fun atmosphere with interactive displays, and activities for women to hear healthcare experts, or opportunities to create something to take home. There will be healthy food options to sample from hospital chefs, free giveaways, prize drawings and more.
Many of the events will feature a panel of women’s health-related providers, as well as flu shots and easy opportunities to schedule a mammogram, nutrition tips and healthy recipes, and information on recommended health screenings.
For more information about the events, visit the Intermountain Ladies Night Out events webpage at https://connect.intermountainhealth.org/ladies-night-out or follow your local Intermountain Health hospital on Facebook or Instagram.
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