Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System

Women Veterans Program Newsletter
April 2025

Get Screened for Colon Cancer

Women Veterans: Don't Hesitate. Screen for Colon Cancer

Colon cancer screening is potentially lifesaving and worth it… especially because 90% of colon cancers are preventable with routine screening and a healthy lifestyle. Yet, many women avoid screening due to misunderstandings or hesitations—so, here are 5 myths you can put to rest.

Myth 1: “I’m healthy, so I don’t need screening.”
Even if you’re in great shape, colon cancer can develop silently. Most colon cancers start as small growths called polyps, which don’t usually cause symptoms. Regular screening can detect and remove these polyps before they turn cancerous. The earlier colon cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat—and the better your chances for a full recovery.

Veteran Fact:
VA recommends that women Veterans start screening at age 45, even if you feel fine and have no symptoms. If you have risk factors like a family history of colon cancer, your VA health care provider may suggest starting earlier.

Myth 2: “Screening is embarrassing and uncomfortable.”
We get it. No one looks forward to a medical test, especially a colonoscopy. But taking care of your health is not embarrassing. At VA, your comfort and dignity are our priorities. Your health care team will walk you through every step, answering questions and addressing concerns to ensure you feel safe and respected. Plus, you don’t always need a colonoscopy right away—some patients may be able to take at-home option called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which checks for hidden blood in your stool.

Veteran Fact:
Talk with your VA provider about your risk and the appropriate screening method for you. VA will support you at every step.

Myth 3: “Colon cancer isn’t a concern for younger women.”
While age is the biggest risk factor, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women under 50. Risk factors like family history, obesity, drinking alcohol, smoking, and even your racial or ethnic background can increase your chances of developing it earlier.

Veteran Fact:
Screening may not just be for older women. Women Veterans of all ages should discuss their risk factors with their VA provider to determine the right screening schedule and test.

Myth 4: “I’ll know if something’s wrong.”
Colon cancer often develops without symptoms. By the time signs appear—such as blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, or persistent abdominal pain—the cancer may already be advanced.

Veteran Fact:
Regular screenings catch concerns early, often before symptoms arise. Early detection saves lives.

Myth 5: “Screening is painful.”
Screening may feel uncomfortable, but anesthesia is used to minimize any discomfort. Your VA health care team will walk you through every step and answer any questions regarding preparation for the procedure, what happens during the screening, and recovery. Additionally, with the at-home FIT, screening could be a breeze! Veteran Fact: Enduring a little discomfort through screening now could prevent major health concerns and distress in the future.

Get Screened at VA

VA is committed to making colon cancer screening accessible and comfortable for women Veterans. Whether you’re ready for a colonoscopy or starting with a FIT, VA is here to help you take control of your health. Discuss your risk for colon cancer with your VA health care provider to determine the best timing and screening test for you. To learn more about screening at VA, visit the VA Women’s Health Colonoscopy page.

Need help getting started at VA? Call the Women Veterans Call Center (1-855-VA-WOMEN) to speak to a real person who can help you enroll, schedule an appointment, and connect you to care you can trust.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Are you Struggling with Unhealthy Eating Patterns?

Eating disorders affect many Veterans, regardless of age, race, shape, size, or gender. But as a woman Veteran, you may be at an increased risk. From unpredictable eating schedules and meals eaten quickly, to trauma and the pressure to “make weight,” your previous military experience might affect your relationship with food today.

An eating disorder is a serious mental health condition in which unhealthy obsessions with weight, shape, or size lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Behaviors, such as restricting food, binge eating, exercising excessively, or misusing medications, can increase your risk for health problems. Detecting an eating disorder as soon as possible is key to avoiding long-term, potentially life-threatening issues, including fertility issues, thinning bones, wasting muscle, heart damage, and more. You may also notice visible changes like brittle hair and nails, yellowing skin, or decaying teeth.

If you’re concerned about unhealthy eating patterns, the first step is to contact your VA primary care or mental health clinician. They can help you identify whether your eating is problematic and guide you to the best resources for you, including possible VA outpatient treatment, as well as higher levels of care, if needed. For more information, visit our VA Women’s Health Disordered Eating page and listen to this She Wears the Boots podcast episode.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Check out the full Pelvic Exercise Infographic

Navigating Menopause

All About the M Word

Menopause is a normal part of aging and occurs when a person has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

While some people go through menopause without needing treatment, many find symptoms of menopause uncomfortable and can benefit from assistance in managing symptoms.

There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when your ovarian function starts to decline. Some people start having hot flashes, night sweats, or changes in menstrual periods during this time. Your periods may be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. During perimenopause, you may need to use birth control if you are at risk for pregnancy.

Menopause occurs when you have not had a menstrual period for 12 months in a row. The average age of last menstrual period is age 52. Menopausal symptoms vary for each person. You may have sudden symptoms that occur only occasionally or that occur more often. In addition to irregular periods, you may have:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Vaginal dryness, which may make sexual activity uncomfortable or painful
• Changes in interest in sexual activity
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast/chest fullness
• Anxiety or depression

These symptoms could be worse for those who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Talk to your VA primary care provider if you are experiencing mental health concerns. Treatment options are available and effective.

Post-menopause occurs when some of the above-described symptoms gradually decline, but because of decreased estrogen production, risks for certain conditions, including vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, heart disease, and osteoporosis, increase.

If you stop having your menstrual period before age 40, contact your VA primary care provider to find out if you are going through menopause or if there is another cause for your missed periods.

The most effective treatment for moderate to severe perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms is hormone therapy. Hormone therapy is safe for most people.

Some facts about hormone therapy:

• Low-dose estrogen therapy, usually a pill or a patch, is most effective for relief from hot flashes and night sweats.
• Progesterone therapy is needed with estrogen therapy if you still have your uterus. If you take estrogen without progesterone, you may increase your risk for developing uterine cancer.
• Estrogen therapy alone may lower breast cancer risk, while estrogen-progesterone therapy may increase the risk. It is important to talk with your VA provider about the best options for you.
• Local hormone treatment applied directly to the vagina in the form of cream, pills, or a vaginal ring can help with vaginal dryness or pain during sexual activity.

While hormone therapy is the most effective treatment, lifestyle changes may also help manage perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, including:

• Dress in layers.
• Drink cold beverages.
• Eat a healthy diet. If you need help getting started, check out the Healthy Teaching Kitchen Program for cooking classes, healthy recipes, nutrition information, and other resources.
• Exercise regularly; if you need help, try the VA MOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Get a healthy amount of sleep. Try using a fan. Talk to your health care provider if you’re having sleep problems.
• Try meditation or yoga, available through VA Whole Health.

Interested in Past Newsletters?

Check them out on the web!

New Veteran Orientation

Come to our New Veteran Orientation
Held Monthly at Ernest Childers Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa

Are you new to VA health care? Are you a current VA patient, but want to learn more about what services and benefits VA has to offer and how to obtain them?

Join Us For New Veteran Orientation

When:
The 2^nd Thursday of every month

Where:
Ernest Childers VA Clinic
8921 S. Mingo Rd.
Tulsa, OK 74113
2^nd floor, Rooms 2008 - 2010 (across from optometry)

Time:
1 p.m.

Open to all Veterans, family members, caregivers, and community partners.

• Meet representatives from various departments within the VA
• Learn about the processes for getting things done at the VA
• Learn about and sign up for My HealtheVet
• Question and answer session

Your Eastern Oklahoma
VA Women Veterans Program Team

Michele Reeves, BSN, RN
Women Veterans Program Manager

Email: Michele.Reeves@va.gov
Phone: 918-577-4277

Makyla Clark, MSN, RN, CLC
Mammogram Navigator, Maternity Care Coordinator

Email: Makyla.Clark@va.gov
Phone: 918-577-4242