Women's health and wellness: simple steps that could save your life.

Today's women are busier than ever. Many hold down full-time jobs while raising children; others take care of elderly parents. The result? Many women have little time for themselves.

When it comes to your health, taking time for yourself is essential. This means staying active and exercising, eating healthy, low-fat meals, managing your stress, and participating in activities that you enjoy. It also means not skipping that doctor appointment-and making time for regular health screenings.

Those may sound like small things, but together they may help prevent the development of certain diseases. Regular health screenings also increase your chances of finding a disease at an early stage, when you have the best chance of treatment and cure.

Below is some basic information about three major health concerns for women-and what you can do about them:

Heart disease

If you think heart disease is just a man's problem, think again. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading killer of women and claims the lives of more than half a million women each year. In fact, nearly one in three women will (tie of heart disease.

It doesn't have to be this way. It's true that if your parents had heart disease, you're also more likely to develop it. But there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk.

For example, smoking is a woman's single biggest risk factor for heart disease, so if you smoke, the sooner you kick the habit, the better. Regular exercise, eating healthy, reducing stress, and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels also play important roles in preventing heart disease. Make sure you get regular checkups, and ask your doctor to assess your risk factors for heart disease.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. More than 211,000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and almost 41,000 women died from the disease. The key to successful treatment? Early detection. A mammogram can detect small lumps and changes in breast tissue-changes that may indicate the earliest stages of cancer. A combination of mammograms and clinical breast exams provide your best chance of early detection.

It is recommended that women in their 40s and older get a mammogram every one to two years. If you're between the ages of 20 and 49 without any significant risk factors, see your doctor for a clinical breast exam at least every three years. Women ages 50 to 69 without risk factors should have a clinical breast exam every two years, around the same time they have their mammogram. Ask your doctor about the best screening plan for you.

Cervical cancer 

About 4,100 women were expected to die from cervical cancer in 2003, and another 12,200 were diagnosed with the disease. The good news? A routine Pap test for cervical cancer not only can find cancer at an early stage, it also can detect precancerous cells. So you can be treated before you actually develop cancer.

Because of the Pap test, the death rate from cervical cancer has fallen about 70 percent since the mid-20th century. How often should you get one? It is generally recommended that women get their first Pap test three years after becoming sexually active, but no later than age 21. After that, women generally should have a Pap test at least once every three years.

Talk with your physician about the best screening schedule for you given your age and risk factors. The screening is quick and causes only a little discomfort, so don't put it off. Unfortunately, many women procrastinate when it comes to their own health. Your well-being is too important, so the next time your physician recommends a test, make time for it. Who knows? It could save your life.

In summary

* Eat low-fat, high-fiber foods.

* Be active and exercise regularly.

* Reduce stress.

* Quit smoking.

* Get regularly scheduled mammograms and Pap tests.

* Have regular checkups.

* Know your family history.

Content for this article was provided by Kaiser Permanente