September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about cancers of the female reproductive system, and emphasize the importance of routine screening and early detection.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to draw attention to the painful joint condition that affects close to 60 million in the U.S. Jesse Reisner, DO, a rheumatologist at South Shore Medical Center, answers questions about arthritis causes, symptoms and treatments.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to raise awareness about this specialized care and to recognize the dedicated caregivers and professionals committed to providing comfort and support to patients with serious, chronic and/or life-limiting illnesses.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to shine a light on the disease and the importance of regular screening in its prevention. While once the most common cause of cancer death for women, cervical cancer death rates have decreased significantly with greater use of the Pap test, which can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops or detect it early when it is easier to treat.