Women in the United States are taking control of their own healthcare destinies and those of their loved ones, according to "The Confidential Study of Women's Health Issues," a study conducted by Beta Research Corp.

"For years, there's been far more information about the health needs and activities of men ... with relatively little attention focused on women. But all of that is quickly changing, with dramatic strides made in the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, menopause and many other conditions. Combined with the trend toward greater fitness and well-being, women today are playing a much more proactive roll in healthcare overall," according to Gail Disimile, executive vice president for Beta.

A few examples of the findings include:

• 55 percent believe women's healthcare has generally improved over the last five years.

• 65 percent are more involved in their own healthcare compared to five years ago.

• 62 percent now research ailments or treatments that affect them or their families.

• 78 percent are now questioning their doctors' choice of treatments.

• 59 percent "would pay just about anything" when it comes to their health.

• And 46 percent feel their family's healthcare needs come before their own.

The study is based on more than 4,100 adult women of all ages (a 41 percent response rate).