January is National Thyroid Awareness Month, and according to the American Thyroid Association, more than 20 million Americans have a form of thyroid disease. As we continue to explore goals for health and wellness in the new year, this post will highlight the importance of thyroid health and management, as well as debunk common myths about thyroid-related diseases.

January marks the start of a new year, a time often synonymous with prioritizing health and wellness. For women, this means scheduling an annual visit and routine screening at the gynecologist to support reproductive health.

January is also Cervical Health Awareness Month. Every year, more than 12,000 Americans are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer was once considered the leading cause of death among women in the United States, but today is considered highly preventable and treatable due to vaccination and early detection from routine testing.

Every October, communities around the country rally behind fundraising events and education campaigns to generate awareness around breast cancer. Early stages of breast cancer often have no symptoms, so with over 281,550 cases predicted for 2021, recommended regular screenings have the potential to save thousands of lives.

August 1 is World Lung Cancer Day, a day aimed at raising awareness about the causes and treatment of lung cancer and the importance of early detection through lung cancer screening. It is especially important to encourage education around the prevention and treatment of lung cancer, as it is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S. To share more insight on this disease, Cindy Vu, NP, with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican has provided important information on lung cancer symptoms, screening and treatment.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month, and with summer right around the corner, many are looking forward to enjoying the warm weather and spending more time outdoors. However, it’s important to protect our skin from potential harm from the sun. Elyn Bowers, MD, a dermatologist at Mercy Medical Group Midtown Dermatology in Sacramento, shared the following tips on reducing skin damage while enjoying those summer days.