Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina health officials are using National Women’s Health Week as a reminder that everyday choices, routine checkups and timely screenings can make a life-changing difference.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health is encouraging women across the state to take a closer look at their health during the annual observance, which runs May 10–16 and begins each year on Mother’s Day. The week is meant to draw attention to women’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, while also urging women of all ages to make preventive care part of their normal routine.
“Taking time to get screened, stay active and listen to our bodies helps prevent illness and promotes long-term wellness, and Women’s Health Week is a great time to commit to taking those steps toward a healthier life,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Services & Chief Medical Officer.
For many South Carolina women, heart health remains one of the most urgent concerns. According to the most recent data available, heart disease was the leading cause of death for women in the state in 2023. That same year, it was tied to 25,830 hospitalizations among South Carolina women.
DPH says women can lower their risk by keeping blood pressure in a normal range, eating a healthy diet and finding enjoyable ways to stay active. Even small, steady habits can become powerful over time.
Cancer remains another major concern. It was the second-leading cause of death for women in South Carolina in 2023. Each year, an average of 14,824 new invasive cancers are diagnosed among women in the state, with breast, lung, colorectal, uterine and skin cancers among the most common. On average, 5,053 South Carolina women die from cancer each year.
“Fortunately, in the past 28 years, deaths from cancer have shown an encouraging decline in women in South Carolina,” said Selena Lowery, DPH’s director of Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention. “Early detection for screenable cancers such as breast, cervical, oral and colorectal cancer and treatment are crucial for limiting the burden of cancer in women.”
DPH encourages women to know their bodies, including through monthly breast self-exams, and to begin talking with their healthcare team about mammograms at age 40. Women at higher risk should start those conversations earlier.
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The agency also points to its Best Chance Network, a statewide program that helps qualifying women access breast and cervical cancer screenings through medical providers in all 46 counties.
Health officials also stress the value of a yearly well-woman visit. These appointments give women time to discuss family history, family planning, mental health, substance use concerns, personal habits and needed screenings, including tests for sexually transmitted infections, diabetes and cancer.
More information is available through DPH’s Health & Wellness webpage and the state’s mental health resources.
