Listening to the presentations and engaging with researchers, scientists, and patients raised an important question: how do we communicate findings and data in ways that advance patient care while also fostering trust and meaningful relationships between industry and community?

No one-size-fits-all digital solution

Some of the most recent developments in data and research presented in San Antonio are worth recognizing, not only for what they found, but also for what they can teach us. For example, the YES (Young, Empowered & Strong) study demonstrated the potential of a mobile health (mHealth) app to address quality of life issues and reduce key symptoms in young breast cancer survivors.

While the study presented promising information for this group of patients, it also highlighted some persistent challenges, indicating that there is no one-size-fits-all digital solution. First, it highlighted the continued existence of a digital divide, indicating that equitable patient access to digital devices cannot be assumed. The YES study also pointed out valuably that while improvements were seen in some areas of treatment as a result of mobile technology use, several menopausal and psychological challenges for patients remained that were not significantly addressed.

More information is needed

Data from the oral SERD study are exciting. The study validates the oral SERD (Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader) approach and sets the stage for further development of novel SERDs and combination strategies. This represents a potentially transformative advance in endocrine therapy for HR+ HER2‑breast cancer. While the study’s findings are promising, longer follow-up, survival data, and subgroup analyses are still needed. In addition, data from a hormone therapy in BRCA1/2 carriers study suggest that while hormone therapy may not increase breast cancer risk, treatment remains highly individualized and requires personalized care and shared decision-making to be as effective as possible.

The Cleveland Clinic’s early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) vaccine trials showed promising immune responses and good safety in small studies. These preliminary results are promising, but larger trials are necessary to confirm any real clinical benefit.

Finally, the results of a study on neoadjuvant strategies with radiation + Keytruda showed promise in shrinking tumors and boosting immune responses before surgery. These findings challenge the traditional surgery-first paradigm and further support more personalized care. But these approaches remain early and complex, and are not yet standard.

Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated

While early-phase, the results of trials on acupuncture and integrative therapies suggest that these approaches may help survivors with cognitive symptoms (“chemo‑brain”) and improve their quality of life with minimal side effects. These studies highlight that integrative care can complement, not compete with, conventional treatment.

The broader adoption of these approaches will require clinicians to be aware of, sensitive to, and supportive of personalized wellness. Like with other therapies, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but these promising findings remind us that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated, overwhelming or inaccessible.

How do we better communicate scientific updates?

The researchers, scientists, funders, and patients who participate in these studies are critical to advancing care and creating a healthier tomorrow. I’m honored to be part of this ecosystem.

This year’s symposium has also prompted me to reflect: How do we best communicate, rather than commercialize, scientific updates? How can we inform, not inflate? How do we continue to educate without exaggerating? What will allow us to better inspire, not deflate?

While thousands of abstracts are presented each year, only a small fraction ultimately changes clinical practice. So, what can we do to ensure they receive a broader hearing?  I believe that as researchers, scientists, and physicians who rely on communicating the promise and potential of our work and its ability to improve patients’ lives, we should follow these four communication imperatives.

• Prioritize the heart of the story, not the headlines. Headline-first news stories are the norm for those consuming news. While the temptation may be to present your work in the best possible light, including caveats (“early stage,” “with limitations”) that accurately convey the current state of a study or research program can help curb misinformation and limit premature hype.

• Encourage dialogue. It’s crucial to establish connections with disease communities to foster collaborative partnerships that facilitate improved communication and outcomes. Intentionally creating channels for questions or feedback on published studies fosters transparency between the industry and the community.

• Non-updates are still updates. Patients who are waiting for effective treatments rely on honest and open communication to base their decisions on. However, it’s essential to recognize that both positive and negative findings contribute to innovation. Breaking down wins and losses in clear language helps bridge the trust gap between the industry and the community.

• Support for replication and wellness research. Currently, there is no large, dedicated Federal program funding large-scale repeat clinical trials solely for confirmation purposes. Greater investment in replicating research in prevention, while advancing breakthrough therapies, could help actualize a whole-person health approach.

The proceedings of SABCS 2025 and the research presented remind us that progress in cancer treatment and care is iterative, collaborative, and deeply human. They also emphasized that, even as we celebrate exciting breakthroughs, we must recognize that honestly communicating the nuances and limitations of research is also our responsibility. As communicators, that is how we translate the most promising research into meaningful, equitable patient care.

The post Promise, Progress and Perspective: Key Takeaways from SABCS 2025 appeared first on Medika Life.

The FemTech Foundation—and Fault Lines

In 2015, fewer than 300 ventures focused on women’s health existed. That number has tripled to 942, according to the Galen Growth HealthTech Alpha™ platform. These ventures now span the female health continuum—gynecology, menopause, oncology, cardiovascular disease, mental health and beyond.

Yet the investment tide has not fully turned in FemTech’s favor. While partnerships have risen 15.3-fold during the past decade, capital deployment has grown only 1.4 times. Compare that to the 2.6x expansion of digital health investments. In 2024, FemTech secured $2.2 billion in funding, a sliver of the $26 billion digital-health pie.

This disparity isn’t due to a lack of innovation—quite the opposite. The problem is systemic: funding gaps, policy voids, and clinical blind spots that overlook the $360 billion “ghost market” of women’s health. That phrase— “ghost market”—is the report’s haunting term for the opportunities left untouched by current investors and providers alike.

From Fertility to Full Spectrum

One of the report’s most critical takeaways is how much the FemTech category is maturing. Fertility tracking and pregnancy apps put the field on the map. But FemTech today is far more.  It recognizes the vast need for medicine to engage with women’s unique health needs, long unaddressed.

The Galen Growth data shows that while gynecology and oncology account for more than half of all FemTech ventures, menopause, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular disease and mental health are surging into the investment and innovation spotlight. These are not “niche” categories—they represent common, often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions that disproportionately affect women and impair their quality of life.

This expansion reflects a growing recognition that women’s health is not a subset—it’s a central pillar of public health. As de Salaberry writes in a soon-to-appear Health Tech World byline: “To be transformative, FemTech must address the entirety of the women’s health continuum, including those therapeutic areas that are not traditionally branded as female-specific but affect women in distinct ways.”

Twice the Clinical Evidence—But Still Under Scrutiny

Perhaps the report’s most sobering—and telling—data point is that FemTech ventures generate nearly twice the volume of clinical trials, peer-reviewed research, and regulatory filings as their digital health peers. Twice. That’s not due to past scientific rigor; these companies are held to a higher standard. Founders and advocates must go the extra mile to validate the clinical value of their solutions.

Despite this, systemic barriers remain. The report shows 71 percent of early-stage FemTech ventures struggle to raise a Series A round. Funding the “middle”—those post-seed but pre-scaleup companies—is an urgent priority. Without it, too many promising solutions will stall before reaching the women who need them.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about meeting investor milestones. It’s about delivering equity in care. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet it remains underrepresented in FemTech portfolios. Alzheimer’s and autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women, yet receive comparatively little innovation focus.

Those are not oversight gaps. They are deep, systemic failures – disparities in our health innovation system.

From Direct-to-Consumer to Deep Health Integration

Another significant signal of maturity is the shift away from pure direct-to-consumer (DTC) models. In 2024, 42 percent of FemTech partnerships involved health systems, up from just 10 percent in 2020. That’s a tectonic shift from point solutions to systemic integration.

As de Salaberry puts it, “DTC strategies alone cannot reach underserved populations or secure the reimbursement pathways necessary for scale.” Systemic integration—through payers, providers, and public institutions—is essential for sustainability and access. FemTech must live where care happens, not just on consumers’ cell phones.

Regionally, the picture is just as telling, with Europe leading in clinical rigor, with 50 percent of FemTech ventures demonstrating proven clinical strength. North America leads in funding ($1.3B), while Asia-Pacific remains a hub of AI-driven diagnostics, even amid a dip in capital investment. These trends point to what’s next: a future driven by localization, clinical excellence and technology convergence.

Forces Shaping the Future of FemTech

The report outlines five key factors shaping the FemTech evolution during the next five years. They’re worth noting for anyone investing, innovating or advocating for equitable care with an eye toward return on investment:

• Redefining the Scope: FemTech must look beyond reproductive health to address chronic diseases, aging, and behavioral health.
• Breaking the DTC Mold: Success will be defined by integrated partnerships with employers, insurers, and health systems.
• Balancing Rigor and Agility: Regulatory requirements must support innovation without stifling it.
• Funding the Growth Gap: Series A and B support is critical to help early innovators scale.
• Smart Consolidation: M&A isn’t just about exits—it’s about building category leaders with breadth and credibility.

Infrastructure, Not Hype

The key here is infrastructure. FemTech is not a trend—it’s the scaffolding of women’s health innovation. Investors need to hear that message and invest to make this population health category viable.

With nearly half the global workforce made up of women, the ROI on women’s health is not just moral—it’s macroeconomic. The health ecosystem can no longer afford to treat women’s health as an edge case. It is, in fact, the core of population health.

FemTech’s next chapter will be shaped by evidence, equity and integration. It must also be underpinned by trust from payers, providers, and patients. That trust is earned through data, outcomes and the bold assertion that women’s health is health, full stop. This Galen Growth Report goes a long way to demonstrating the positive outcomes when innovation and investment converge.

As Julien de Salaberry wisely states: “The next generation of Femtech isn’t about visibility—it’s about value, integration, and health systems impact.” That’s not just a forecast—it’s a framework for what’s next.

[Editor’s Note: For a deeper dive into the Galen Growth FemTech 2025 report, visit galengrowth.com. The full report and press release, are available now.]

The post Galen Growth FemTech 2.0 Report: Elevating Women’s Health from Niche to Necessity appeared first on Medika Life.

Sometimes it’s a look.

A line.

A moment that lands deeper than diagnosis.

This brief essay is a collection of those moments.

Brief.

Unexpected.

And always real.

“The Healing Power of Touch: A Patient’s Insight”

This week, a patient shared a poignant realization that emerged after years of emotional distance from his wife.

They had grown apart, but recently discovered a shared need: the simple, profound act of touch.

He reflected on how a gentle hug or a reassuring hand on the shoulder seemed to bridge the emotional gap between them.

“I think we’re wired for this,” he mused, referencing hormones like oxytocin that respond to physical affection.

His insight aligns with scientific findings.

Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” plays a crucial role in social bonding and emotional connection.

Studies have shown that affectionate touch can increase oxytocin levels, reduce stress, and foster feelings of trust and closeness.

In fact, research indicates that even brief moments of affectionate touch can lead to measurable increases in oxytocin, a hormone that contributes to an improved mood and reduced anxiety.

This finding underscores the biological underpinnings of our need for physical connection.

My patient’s experience serves as a reminder that sometimes, healing in relationships doesn’t require grand gestures — just a touch of understanding, quite literally.

For more reflections on connection at the edge of life, read my essay: What Dying Men Confessed When No One Was Listening.

“The Prostitute’s Pasta”

In oncology, gratitude comes in many forms — thank-you notes, quiet nods, even tears.

But sometimes, it arrives as a steaming pan of pasta.

One of our patients, an older Italian gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and impeccable taste, has taken to feeding the staff.

Not metaphorically — literally.

Lasagna, tiramisu, and even delicate cannoli are dusted with sugar like freshly fallen snow.

Today, he arrived bearing a new dish. “Pasta Puttanesca!” he announced proudly. “You know — the prostitute’s pasta.”

A pause.

Then laughter. Nurses chuckled. My medical assistant nearly dropped her stethoscope.

He winked. “They say it was made quickly, between clients.”

I’ll leave the etymology to linguists.

But I can tell you this: the olives were briny, the sauce was bold, and the gratitude was unmistakable.

This event was something else entirely in a world often defined by scans and side effects.

A recipe for connection.

Served al dente.

Note: For patient privacy, I have modified some details.

Here are my previous Clinic Notes essays:

1. Clinic Notes 5/18/2025
2. Clinic Notes 6/26/2025

Want more stories like these — plus the science behind living longer and better? I’ve distilled the most powerful lessons from oncology, aging research, and patient wisdom into my new ebook: Extending Life and Healthspan.

Practical, evidence-based, and full of humanity.

The post Clinic Notes: What My Patients Said This Week appeared first on Medika Life.

Usually, detecting cancer is done through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsies. A biopsy, where a tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope. This process is time-consuming and often relies on parts of the health system working together quickly, which does not always happen. Some cancers, like brain, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, are difficult to detect, which can slow diagnosis even further.

By contrast, liquid biopsies can detect cancer more quickly. This type of testing looks at bodily fluids (typically blood) for evidence of cancer cells by finding biomarkers that are shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Liquid biopsy technology is advancing fast and with new technologies emerging, such as using light to detect these signals. This is a similar approach to that used when small swabs are passed over luggage and analysed at airport security.

By combining this spectral analysis with artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible to speed up cancer detection at a significantly lower cost. At the forefront of this revolution in cancer detection is Dr. Holly J. Butler. Dr Butler is the co-founder and CTO of Dxcover, the company behind the award-winning multiomic spectral analysis platform. Grounded in biophotonics and driven by an unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes, Dr Butler is striving to bring about a new era of non-invasive diagnostics; one where a couple of drops of blood and a beam of light might one day save millions of lives.

Dr Butler, alongside an award-winning leadership and research team, has been developing methods to analyse blood samples using infrared spectroscopy. What they discovered was a way of ‘reading’ the biochemical fingerprint of disease in a standard blood test. This research became the foundation of an award-winning proprietary platform that leverages a unique combination of AI and spectral analysis to detect patterns in small blood amounts, allowing clinicians to find cancer earlier, more accurately, and far more affordably than many existing techniques.

The potential is enormous. Unlike conventional liquid biopsies, which rely on picking up fragments of tumour DNA, this platform is more wide-ranging in its approach. It uses a multiomic strategy – looking at proteins, lipids, metabolites, and more – through a process known multiomic spectral analysis. It translates to even tiny tumours, sized at just 0.2 cm, being capable of leaving a detectable trace. And it’s all done with just nine microlitres of blood.

Dr Butler’s drive to transform scientific ideas into reality started early. After her Ph.D., she took on a Scottish Enterprise-funded project to translate laboratory-based research into clinical diagnostics. Her entrepreneurial endeavours were making waves as early as 2017 – she was ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Scottish Women’s Awards and received the Women in Innovation award at the Global Game Changers Awards. She has continued to be a vocal advocate for women in STEM and an active mentor to early-career scientists and entrepreneurs via the Strathclyde Inspire network in the intervening period.

“I’ve always been drawn to problems where science can make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives,” she says. “To me, early detection for the most difficult to detect cancers is one of the biggest, most urgent problems we face – and one we hope to solve.”

Dr. Butler’s role in bringing this innovation along is as much practical as it is strategic. She is part of a team that spans lab operations, data, software, quality and regulatory affairs, pushing the science to clear the bars for real-world medical use. “You can’t just invent a technology,” she says. “You need to prove that it works, scale it with safety, meet stringent quality specifications, and prove how it fits into clinical pathways. That is the challenge.”

For Dr Butler, it is about the impact on lives. “Cancer still kills nearly 10 million people a year,” she says. “The difference between early or late detection can be life and death. We want to make early detection routine – not something that’s just for some individuals or comes too late.”

Now pursuing an Executive MBA, Dr. Butler is expanding her leadership credentials. “Science gave me the means to innovate,” she says. “But the MBA is teaching me to lead, to strategise, to build something that can last.”

That ecosystem, she hopes, will be one where innovation and inclusion go hand-in-hand. She’s particularly passionate about ensuring that diagnostic breakthroughs become accessible across communities. “We’re aiming for a future where your GP can run a test like this early—long before you’re even referred to a specialist,” she explains.

Dr. Butler’s work remains patient-centred and personal. “Every time we detect a cancer that would have been missed – that’s the goal,” she says. “And every time we improve the technology is a step closer to a world where fewer people have to hear the words, ‘if only we’d caught it sooner.'”

The post Shining a Light on Early Cancer Detection appeared first on Medika Life.

Many of my patients have recently been asking me what it means to have dense breasts.

They sometimes carry a letter saying that their mammograms showed heterogeneously (or extremely) dense breast tissue.

The U.S. government now mandates that radiologists report breast density on mammogram reports but offers no guidance on how to do so.

In this Breast Cancer Awareness month, I want to provide some information about the implications of having dense breasts.

Breast Density Reporting

Beginning September 10, 2024, the U.S. government mandated this:

“Mammography facilities must provide all patients receiving a mammogram with one of two Federal breast density notification statements (either “not dense” or “dense”).“

Additionally, the mammogram report sent to referring providers must include an assessment of the patient’s breast density.

Defining Breast Density

Dense breasts are a mammographic finding in which the breast tissue appears more glandular or fibrous relative to fatty tissue.

The breast comprises two types of tissue: glandular tissue, which produces milk, and fatty tissue, which provides support and cushioning.

Dense breasts contain more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue, which makes them appear denser on a mammogram.

Four Categories of Breast Density

The American College of Radiology classifies breast density into four categories:

1. Almost entirely fatty: The breast comprises fatty tissue and is the easiest to read on a mammogram.
2. Scattered areas of fibroglandular density: Although some areas of glandular and fibrous tissue exist, the breast is still considered primarily fatty.
3. Heterogeneously dense: There are many glandular and fibrous tissue areas, and the breast is considered moderately dense.
4. Extremely dense: This means the breast is very dense, with a lot of glandular and fibrous tissue.

Patient Notifications

A radiologist — a doctor who reads your mammogram — assigns your breasts a density.

As noted above, s/he will place each mammogram into one of the four breast density categories.

Your mammogram report may offer these observations:

• If NOT DENSE: “Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is not dense. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your situation.”
• If DENSE: “Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is dense. In some people with dense tissue, other imaging tests and a mammogram may help find cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your situation.”

Let’s turn to the implications of breast density.

Breast Density Distribution

The American College of Radiology (ACR) observes the following population distribution of breast density:

About 10 percent have almost entirely fatty breasts. At the other extreme, 10 percent have extremely dense breasts.

Eighty percent fit into one of the middle categories.

What causes dense breast tissue?

It’s unclear why some women have dense breast tissue while others do not. You may be more likely to have dense breasts if you:

• Are younger. Breast tissue often becomes less dense with age.
• Have a lower body mass index. Individuals with less body fat are more likely to have dense breast tissue than women who are obese.
• Take hormone therapy for menopause. Those taking combination hormone therapy to relieve signs and symptoms of menopause are more likely to have dense breasts.

Breast Density Implications

Having dense breasts may increase your chances of getting breast cancer.

Moreover, dense breasts make it more challenging for radiologists (and their artificial intelligence friends) to spot cancer on mammograms.

Unfortunately, dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram.

Lumps, both cancer and non-cancer, often appear white, too. I often say to my patients that dense breasts make it like you are looking for a snowball in a snowfield.

In summary, dense breasts can raise cancer risk and make mammograms less accurate.

Mammograms Are Still Important

First, while many of my patients with dense breasts initially think that mammograms are useless for them, mammograms are still a part of routine imaging.

After all, mammograms are the only medical imaging screening test proven to reduce breast cancer deaths.

Each week, my radiology team finds cancers on mammograms in women with dense breasts.

What Else Can You Do?

That said, here are some tactics you can use:

• Get digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT or 3-D mammograms). DBT creates breast images in slices from many angles, making abnormalities easier to see. Tomo mammograms increase the number of cancers discovered without other imaging.
• Consider ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These advanced imaging approaches can help find cancers that a mammogram doesn’t indicate. However, breast MRI and ultrasound show many more findings that aren’t cancer (false positive), resulting in added testing.
• Know your breast cancer risk. We have many calculators (varying in complexity and weighing different factors — including family history).

There is no national standard for following up on dense breast reports.

Screening Recommendations

The American College of Radiology suggests that you talk with your healthcare provider and discuss your breast cancer risk.

Even if you have a low breast cancer risk (and have fatty breasts), you should get annual mammograms beginning at 40.

The U.S. Preventative Task Force recommends that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year, starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74.

The Real Problem

Radiologists must describe breast density on your mammogram report.

However, we don’t know what to do with this information.

For example, the American College of Radiology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that women and their doctors consider supplemental screening.

On the other hand, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force offer there is insufficient evidence of benefit to recommend additional tests.

Additional tests can detect more cancers than mammograms alone. However, we have no evidence that extra testing saves lives.

And This

Some studies raise concerns about the reliability of the system used to label breasts as dense or not dense.

A review article in Annals of Internal Medicine reported that radiologists reclassified up to 19 percent of women into a different breast density category — from dense to non-dense or vice versa — on their subsequent screening mammogram.

For those with dense breasts, we don’t know with certainty what the best practice is at this point.

The post Dense Breasts: The Hidden Risk You Can’t Ignore appeared first on Medika Life.

No overuse in the gym.

No trauma.

Just age.

As I transition into my 60s, I occasionally notice small unpleasant elements.

You may relate: It seems that injuries happen more frequently.

I do not have my historical muscle strength.

A new study provides some insights, revealing what may be behind my physical decline.

The 40s

In my mid-40s, I noticed aging signs.

It wasn’t gradual; I suddenly realized I was in my 40s.

It seemed that I had rapidly aged.

As I transition into my 60s, I am noticing the same phenomenon.

Or was it just my imagination?

Stanford researchers recently provided some answers.

Molecular and Microorganism Changes at 44 and 60

Was I wrong in my perception that I had experienced a moment of rapid aging?

A new Stanford University (USA) study tracked thousands of molecule types in adults aged 25 to 75.

The researchers analyzed blood (and other biological samples) from 108 subjects.

Here is the main takeaway message:

People tend to have two dramatic aging leaps — the first at around 44 and the second at approximately 60.

Aging appears to happen in bursts.

These changes appeared no matter what type of molecules the researchers analyzed.

Chasing Squirrels: Punctuated Equilibrium

My nurse sometimes protects me from getting distracted from the task at hand.

Chasing squirrels, Melissa likes to opine.

Well, I am about to chase a squirrel.

What comes to mind is punctuated equilibrium.

This evolutionary biology theory describes evolution as a series of short, rapid times of change interrupted by prolonged periods of stability.

My Harvard professor, the late Stephen Jay Gould, joined Niles Eldridge to develop this theory of how new species emerge and diversify.

They based their view on fossil record patterns developed by paleontologists.

Changes in the 40s

For those in their 40s, the Stanford researchers discovered significant changes in molecules related to:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• cardiovascular disease
• lipid metabolism
• muscle
• skin

Can’t resist sharing this:

“Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” — David Bowie.

Could Menopause Be Playing A Role?

My first thought?

The mid-40s aging acceleration among women might be secondary to perimenopausal (the transitional period before menopause) changes.

The researchers thought menopause might be playing a role until the scientists realized that men in their 40s had similar molecular alterations.

Changes in the 60s

For individuals in their 60s, molecular alterations appeared related to:

• caffeine metabolism
• carbohydrate metabolism
• cardiovascular disease
• kidney function
• immune regulation
• muscle
• skin

The Researchers Speculate

The scientists wonder if lifestyle influences the alterations in the 40s and 60s.

For example, folks might consume more alcohol in their 40s, a time of higher stress for many.

Anecdotally, I don’t find alcohol consumption to be higher among my patients in the 40 to 50 age group.

Summary

In conclusion, the rapid changes in our bodies during our 40s and 60s are associated with molecular alterations, affecting various aspects of our health and well-being.

Understanding these changes may help you focus on optimizing your lifestyle, including factors like sleep, diet, physical activity, and relationships.

Actionable Takeaways

The bursts of aging in the 40s and 60s remind this 61-year-old to stay focused on optimizing lifestyle.

I pay attention to:

• Sleep
• Diet
• Physical activity
• Relationships
• Minimizing alcohol
• Not smoking
• Sex

My perception of a sudden onset of age-related disorders (including more muscle achiness after working out) seems grounded in reality: We may experience a sudden onset of age-related changes in our bodies.

We don’t understand the full consequences of these molecular changes, but I now better understand my challenges in gaining lots of muscle.

Could it be that the origin of many diseases — that emerge later in life — is related to molecular changes in our 40s?

What has been your experience?

The post Your Body Ages in Leaps: Stanford’s Surprising Findings at Ages 44 and 60 appeared first on Medika Life.

My patients often describe a sense of isolation and lack of support during this transformative phase.

Many of you may have felt the impact on your well-being and the prolonged suffering caused by symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

For instance, I had a patient last week who reported experiencing severe hot flashes at an important work meeting.

Moreover, she woke up every hour at night sweating.

Given estrogen and progesterone feed her cancer, she could not take hormonal replacement therapy.

I offered a non-hormonal option, which is this essay’s main topic.

The Statistics

I’ll begin with this disturbing statistic:

Vasomotor symptoms of menopause — such as hot flashes or night sweats — are common, affecting more than four out of five menopausal women.

Moreover, some women experience moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats for an average of 7.4 years or more.

Today, I’ll explain why I write about menopause.

I will also discuss hot flashes, with a focus on a new non-hormonal drug aimed at alleviating suffering.

Why I Write About Menopause

Menopause is a universal experience for half of humanity, but its effects are far from uniform.

While some women navigate this transition with minimal disruption, others grapple with debilitating symptoms that significantly impact their well-being and can linger for extended periods.

Many women feel isolated and unsupported during this transformative phase.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Menopause

www.webmd.com.

We Need A Comprehensive Approach

A comprehensive approach is necessary to improve the experience for all women.

This strategy means:

• providing women with accurate information
• decision-making tools
• compassionate medical care
• workplace accommodations when required.

We should give special attention to women experiencing early or medically induced menopause, as well as those vulnerable to mental health challenges.

I acknowledge that societal biases against aging women can exacerbate negative menopause experiences.

Therefore, efforts to destigmatize menopause and celebrate the value and contributions of older women are crucial.

What Are Hot Flashes?

Hot H.F.sshes (H.F.s) are sudden sensations of heat, sweating, flushing, anxiety, and chills lasting one to five minutes.

My patients often report that they first have sudden, intense warmth that typically begins in the chest, neck, or face.

The warm sensation then spreads throughout the body, often accompanied by sweating, flushing, and (for some) a rapid heartbeat.

While hot flashes are often the product of hormonal drops secondary to premenopause or menopause, some have the symptoms because of a medical condition or medications.

Are There Hot Flash Risk Factors?

Risk factors

Some women experiencing menopause do not have hot flashes.

We need to understand better why some have them.

Still, some factors that may increase hot flash risk:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Race. Black women report more hot flashes than other races. Asian women report the least.

Hot Flash Triggers

I always discuss potential triggers with my patients who are experiencing hot flashes.

Here are some more potential hot flash triggers:

• Stress
• Heat
• Spicy foods
• Caffeine
• Tight clothing
• Alcohol
• Sedentary lifestyle

Mayo Clinic Minute: Why alcohol and menopause can be a dangerous mix – Mayo Clinic News Network

newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.

Let’s get to the recently approved non-hormonal drug that alleviates hot flashes.

What is Veozah?

VEOZAH (generic name: fezolinetant) is a neurokinin 3 NK3 receptor antagnoist.

It is a non-hormonal prescribed medicine to manage hot flashes and night sweats.

Here’s what that means.

Your brain has receptors known as NK3.

These receptors respond to neurokinins (a brain chemical messenger) and estrogen.

As estrogen levels decline during the menopause transition, neurokinins show increased activity.

This neurokinin-increased activity makes them less likely to respond accurately to body temperature changes.

By binding to (and blocking) NK3 receptors, Veozah stops this activity, reducing hot flash severity.

Veozah Approved for Menopause-Related Vasomotor Symptoms

Veozah is approved (by the Food and Drug AdministrationU.S.in the U.S. for moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats related to menopause.

What is VEOZAH® (fezolinetant) | VMS due to Menopause

Discover VEOZAH® (fezolinetant): a treatment option for moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats caused by…

www.veozah.com

How is Veozah Taken?

Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dosage of Veozah, typically taken as one tablet once daily.

Women can take Veozah with or without food, ideally simultaneously each day, for optimal results.

It’s important to swallow the tablet whole with liquid and avoid cutting, crushing, or chewing it.

Does Veozah Work to Reduce Hot Flashes?

Veozah reduces the number and severity of hot flashes, day and night.

While individual results vary, many patients get relief within a week or so.

Here are the clinical trial results:

At 12 weeks, women taking Veozah experienced 63 percent fewer hot flashes than 42 percent taking a placebo.

Very good results, although the placebo results are pretty good, too.

Does Veozah Have Side Effects?

Veozah sometimes causes serious side effects, including increases in liver blood test values.

Your healthcare provider should perform a blood test to check your liver before you start Veozah. The test is repeated at months 3, 6, and 9 after you start the medicine.

Please call your healthcare provider immediately if you have symptoms suggestive of liver problems, including:

• nausea or vomiting
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• upper right abdominal pain.

Veozah — Common Side Effects

The most common toxicities of Veozah include:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• insomnia
• back pain
• hot flashes

Of course, these are not all of the potential side effects.

Please notify your healthcare provider if you have any toxicity that bothers you or does not go away.

Who Should Not Use Veozah?

You should not use Veozah if:

• You have liver cirrhosis.

• You have severe kidney problems or kidney failure.
• You are taking certain medicines called CYP1A2 inhibitors. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

Cost

One of my patients recently informed me that Veozah not all health insurers in the U.S. pay for the drug.

The drug may be and may be prohibitively expensive for many people, as it costs about $550 per month.

I think U.S. insurers will eventually pay for the drug.

Summary

As someone involved in the care of scores of women with cancer, I know that vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats are very significant for some.

I love that these women who can’t — my patients with hormone-driven breast cancer are an example — or won’t use hormone therapy (the most common and effective treatment) have a new option.

Do you suffer from vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats?

If yes, what strategies have been effective for you?

The post Hot Flash Hack: The Latest Breakthrough for Menopausal Relief appeared first on Medika Life.

Amid her surprising news, she discovered the Vancouver, Washington-based Pink Lemonade Project, a source of peer support and empowerment for breast cancer patients. Through their guidance, she rediscovered the strength within and built a new community of friendships.

This is the story of how Lisa Heathman turned medical lemons into “pink lemonade” and how she continues to navigate the maze of breast cancer decisions, drawing on the support of the patient advocacy community created by the Pink Lemonade Project. Her guiding mantra: “Get busy living or get busy dying.”

Gil Bashe:

I‘m going to jump in, and we’re going to explore your story because it is unique to you, and unfortunately, it’s not unique to women. It’s become a medical self-health tradition for women to have an annual mammogram, and I imagine that’s something you’ve been practicing for some time.

Lisa Heathman:

I always made a point of getting my mammogram. I got them regularly, and the diagnostic center always used to send me that letter afterward saying I have dense breast tissue, so the scan techniques were not nearly as accurate. A routine mammogram looks dark, and then if there’s anything alarming, it looks white. On a woman with dense tissue, everything looks white. It’s hard to find an anomaly in it because of the white-on-white. That is core to the problem. Because even though I was getting those mammograms regularly, they didn’t see the problem.

Bashe: 

You know, for women who have dense breast tissue, and it’s not a small number. It affects cardiovascular scans and mammograms – leading to the danger of false negatives.  I hear about this too often. 

Heathman: 

It’s pretty darn common.

Bashe: 

It’s the equivalent of going through the motions but not having a mammogram; It’s a public health risk worthy of greater awareness and physician-patient conversation.

Heathman:

Exactly. According to my doctor, I’m doing what I needed to happen from a self-care standpoint; there wasn’t a family history. My grandmother did have breast cancer, but my grandmother is just one-quarter of my genes. My physician didn’t regard me as particularly high risk. So when I kept getting those notifications that the screening tool wasn’t wholly accurate (and we talked about this for two years in a row), he told me not to worry.  Accessing advanced screening is challenging; the insurance companies wouldn’t cover it. That meant I had to get the screening and pay out of pocket. On top of that, I would have had to do that every year. We’re talking about thousands of dollars out of pocket.  

Bashe:

Insurance is a little bit like the law of averages. They think, “We’re not going to cover this because the chances of her having breast cancer are pretty slim, and if we cover it for her, we’ll set a precedent, and we’ll have to cover it for everyone. Let’s pretend we’re going through the motion of doing breast cancer screening.” 

Then boom, something happens.  There is something suspicious when you call up. I imagine your doctor said, “Well, come on in, and we’ll talk about it.”

Heathman:

Something you said reminded me of something I think is essential to share. And then, I’ll get to how I found my cancer. The other thing that’s recommended is that women do self-exams.

First of all, I breastfed both my kids, and I always had trouble in my left breast with clogged milk ducts and all kinds of lumpiness, nothing hard, nothing like they always used to say. If you’re feeling anything that feels like a pea or a pebble, that’s alarming. You need to be checked out. But if everything feels like it always has, you’re probably fine.

It always felt normal. My left breast was lumpy because it had been lumpy ever since I breastfed my kids. Nothing felt odd, and I never did have that hard stone or pea-shaped shot that they always say it feels like.

Bashe: How did this surprising discovery unfold?  How was this discovered?

Heathman:

How I found my breast cancer was a stroke of luck, which doesn’t sound like a stroke of luck when I tell you this story. My partner Tom and I went mountain biking. We were on a camping trip up near McCall, Idaho, mountain biking almost every day. One day, we decided to take the mountain bikes up to this lake – there was supposed to be great fishing up there. It’s five miles on the single track. There was one place near the lake where you had to cross a creek on a little bridge, and I fell off the bridge into the water! Fortunately, it was September, so the water level was relatively low, but the bike fell on top of me and pushed me into a tree trunk. I dislocated my shoulder.

When I got back to Portland, I told my doctor what had happened, and we decided that I should do a course of physical therapy because it was still painful. The physical therapist and I worked on this for about a month. Instead of getting better, the symptoms got worse. My physical therapist said I should get an MRI.

I had to see the doctor for an MRI, and he said: “It’s been a year since I’ve seen you, so you might as well just come in.”

That was the luckiest thing ever because when I went in 10 days later, he did the usual check of the lymph nodes. He was doing the examination and said, “How long have you had this lump under your left arm?” I said I didn’t know I had a lump under my left arm. I can hardly reach it right now because my right shoulder was so screwed up from the accident. He said, “I feel a lump under your left arm, and we need to get you in for an ultrasound.” That was the beginning of the odyssey of finding out I had breast cancer; it was just a stroke of luck.

Bashe:  I don’t know if it’s a stroke of luck, but it’s like, “How I dislocated my shoulder and saved my life.”  From the moment your doctor said, “What’s this lump underneath there?” What went through your mind?

Heathman: 

Honestly, I was not terribly concerned, and I’ll tell you why. I’ve always been very active and very healthy, and nothing traumatic or awful health-wise has ever happened to me. I first talked to my physician sister, and she said, “Well, it could be many different things. Let’s not get too worried.”

So I wasn’t upset. I was like, I’m sure it’s nothing, I’m sure it’s nothing, but it wasn’t nothing. I went in for the ultrasound. I was lying on the table, and it was quiet. I remember thinking I was tired. I could almost take a nap. She went away after she was done and was gone for a long time. I thought, well, that’s odd. Then the doctor came in, sat down, and asked me all these questions. “Have you been feeling okay? Are you losing any weight?” All of a sudden, I began to perspire profusely. Suddenly, I thought nervously, “Oh goodness, oh gosh. What is happening here?” My stomach was immediately nervous. “Uh oh. This is not nothing.”

All of a sudden, I was very, very afraid. I had never had cause from a health standpoint to be so scared. I was terrified, like we were not talking about a nothing thing here at all. He sent me then for a biopsy, I believe.

Bashe:

Did he say at any point you might be looking at cancer?

Heathman:

He did. That was the root of all those questions: are you feeling okay? Have you been losing any weight? I feel fine. And no, I have not lost weight. But I was just terrified. Suddenly, it was like it was real. I went in for the biopsy next, and it came back positive for cancer. I then had an MRI, where they could first visualize it. That was the first time anyone had seen that there was a tumor in my breast. It appeared pretty good-sized and had probably been growing there long.

Bashe:

The challenge with the diagnostic system, particularly the mammogram, is that we get into a “check the box” mindset, as opposed to the need for your doctor, other doctors, to say that if someone has dense breasts, we have to reject the mammogram approach, have a diagnostic procedure, and ensure coverage. At least reimburse women for the scan every other year.

Heathman:

You could alternate. Over the years, I’ve often thought, you know, it would have been great if every other year I had a mammogram one year and an ultrasound another year, and they could have alternated. Ultrasounds are not expensive; they’re standard.

Bashe:

A part of it is that the payor contracts with the radiology center to have mammograms done at a base price. Let’s say the insurance company will tell you to go to one of three radiology labs in your area. They’ve created a volume discount price. That discount takes precedence over your specific physiological or biological needs. That’s the challenge we face in the payor system: health for everyone, but not necessarily health for you.

Heathman:

Health for the average baseline. I learned from the Pink Lemonade Project that in the Northwest, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. Nationally, it’s one in eight. That’s many women.

Bashe:

How did you get involved with the Pink Lemonade Project?

Heathman:

That’s an interesting story. When I was first diagnosed, one thing that seemed right was to join a support group, so I did.

It was through my hospital, and I hadn’t even lost my hair yet. I was super early in the process. I think I lost my hair after my second or third chemotherapy round, but I was in the support group even before that –  just diagnosed. I remember my first support group meeting, which was not a Pink Lemonade support group meeting. It was just through the hospital.  It wasn’t completely satisfying, but of the eight women, one woman, Susan (Susan Stearns), well, we hit it off and became friends.

Susan got the job of CEO of the Pink Lemonade Project. I was introduced to Pink Lemonade through her and her fortune in working with this amazing organization, which drove the conversation and possibility.

Bashe:

The personal connection was very important here.

Heathman:

There’s a silver lining in this cloud, and that silver lining was Susan and the Pink Lemonade Project. They’re based in Vancouver, Washington. I live across the river in Portland, Oregon, and Susan Komen is a well-known breast cancer charity in Portland. What a lot of people don’t realize is that Susan Komen is no longer providing local support. They are only a national nonprofit now. The local programming in almost every community had to be pulled.

It is up to local organizations like the Pink Lemonade Project to pick up the slack and provide those programs locally that Susan Komen could no longer fulfill. Organizations like the Pink Lemonade Project must create opportunities and support for women seeking local support.

Bashe:

You had some difficult decisions to make then. You’re diagnosed with breast cancer. It sounds like chemo and radiation were part of the decision-making process, maybe more. Tell me a little bit – not about the medical stuff; I understand that, but the sense of how you felt at that moment and what role the Pink Lemonade Project played in getting your perspective. It sounds like you’re very self-aware and in touch with other people, but you’re now in what I’ll call an “extreme situation.”

You enjoy bicycle riding, fishing, hiking, skiing, and the great outdoors. Your sister is also an official hand-holder. You have a medical guide at your beck and call. Tell me what role the Pink Lemonade Project played in your life and what role you played in their life.

Heathman:

From the standpoint of an organization like the Pink Lemonade Project, I was very fortunate that I didn’t need to take advantage of some of the programs that Pink Lemonade delivers to women or people with breast cancer — because men get breast cancer, too, as you know.

Pink Lemonade provides practical support, transportation to appointments, treatment options, care for lymphedema and swelling after the lymph nodes have been removed, support groups, and valuable information, such as whether a woman needs a wig because she’s lost all her hair. I took advantage of some of the things that the Pink Lemonade Project provides.

I do have a good employer, a car, and good insurance. I had all those things covered. I have a really good support system. You could argue there wasn’t much I needed. What I found that I took advantage of was the support groups. They have a metastatic breast cancer support group. It’s geared mainly toward women who have a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, such as me. They are women who are in many ways in the same boat that I am in, and their questions are the same questions that I have, and the kinds of experiences they have are the same kinds of experiences I have.

Many women are older, have retired, and are no longer working. But not all of them – many of them are young women who are raising families. Many of them are younger women who are still working, trying to have a career while they’re going through treatment. That was important to me because I am still working, and I continue to work through treatment, but it hasn’t always been easy.

Having other women to bounce ideas off and get good advice was unbelievably important. The other important thing about being involved with an organization like the Pink Lemonade Project is that you are surrounded by women and people who hear what’s on the cutting edge of treatment. When you have a stage four diagnosis, your doctors, you, as the patient, and your family must understand that the breast cancer community, the medical community, is constantly coming to the table with new treatment ideas and new treatment options.

In time, treatments may stop working for a person, and they may need to go to whatever the next treatment is. And that’s incredibly important for someone with a stage four diagnosis because the treatment that I’m on may not always work. So that’s important, too.

Bashe:

As we spoke, I remember the first time you had a very reflective way of looking at this. You know you have a philosophical strength about life and being present. I also sensed you were quizzical about the future. There’s an authentic presentation when you speak. I’m curious if that mindset is present in your conversations with other members of the Pink Lemonade community and if the conversation is equally sharp.

Heathman:

That’s why there’s such a striking difference between the people I’m now talking to within support groups and that first experience, which was very negative and unsupportive.

The women in the support groups are very practical. It’s odd, but you rarely encounter a person in these support groups saying “Woe is me” or wringing their hands. By and large, they have been the most positive, gracious, giving, extraordinary women, people, but mainly women, and that’s what I needed in a support group. I needed to be surrounded by other people going through the same situation but meeting it with this: “We’re going to get through this.”

One of my favorite movies is The Shawshank Redemption, and Tim Robbins, one of the main characters, says a line that goes something like, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” I think about that all the time – here I am, and this is what I’ve got to get through today or this week, or this surgery or that treatment; I’m going to get busy living because it’s the only choice I have.

I’ve been surrounded by people making that same choice, which I needed in a support group. There’s no Pollyanna; not many women say this is not a big deal. It’s a huge deal. But they’re practical about it; maybe we’re all good at compartmentalizing it. This is a bucket that’s over here. This is another bucket that’s today. This is another bucket that’s tomorrow. I am still determining what the future will bring, but worrying about it doesn’t change it.

Bashe:

The sharpened sense of mortality creates a vibrancy about life. You might not have taken special vacations beforehand, saying, “Oh, I don’t know if I want to spend the money right now.” Now you say, “I think we will take that vacation. I want to go there and see that. I want to do that with you.” Does that play out from time to time? I don’t know about 20 years from now, but I do know right now.

Heathman:

It’s an excellent question. My version of vacation is being able to get outdoors and do the things I love, whether skiing, biking, hiking, or fishing. You’re right—I find it easier to say yes to those things because I don’t tend to talk myself out of them like, “Oh, you shouldn’t” or “It’s too expensive.” Life is short.

Those kinds of things are things that I need to experience, things that I need to do. This sharpened sense of mortality goes beyond just thinking about time away or vacations. It just factors into my overall decision-making. Are we going to build that addition on the house? My car was eight years old. Am I thinking maybe it’s time to get a new car? And it’d be easy to say I might not need that new car. Does that make sense? But if I decide that I don’t need that new car, I’ll not be getting busy living.

Bashe:

That line you shared about the Shawshank Redemption is true – “Start living.” You can think about the clock stopping, running out of line, the click, click, click. The clock is still working, and I don’t want to break down on the side of the highway. Why not enjoy the new car now?

Heathman:

Exactly. Why not do it now? Because you may not have forever. And to your point, Gil, we all imagine ourselves immortal until we have a significant health crisis. It’s too terrifying to think of the alternative, and most of us don’t until we have to. But in no way has it consumed me. I’m not going to say I never think about it. I think about it. I’ve even explored some things that are specific to that. But it isn’t as though I’m consumed by it. I don’t live my life like that.

Bashe:

“I’m here, and I need just to enjoy the fact that I know I could be elsewhere, so to speak, but I have a certain sense of strength and understanding that lean into the here and now.”

Heathman:

Some days are hard. There are things about being in treatment that are hard, and sometimes challenging things happen that are work-related or what have you. Then, I’ll join a support group, and I’ll be able to talk about what is happening. Someone will have had a similar experience, and someone else will have a funny thing to say about it.

Before long, I found that I was happy I was here and that they were here. There have been times when someone was not there. In particular, one woman is no longer a part of our support group because her cancer came back, and it came back with a fury, and she died. I still miss her. She was such an incredibly kind, caring, altruistic person. In support groups, you meet people who may show you something you didn’t see, something that feels like someone making your day better.

Bashe:

Well, they say you’re exceptional, and those that do are beyond spot on. The reality is that you’re in the midst of an adventure in which the ending has not been written, and you are very present about where you are and what you’re feeling, but you’re very much in harmony with other people. The support group, I think, the Pink Lemonade Project community, has brought out something that was always within you: the understanding that we need each other.

Heathman:

Absolutely. If there is a silver lining in all of this—and some days, it’s hard to find one—I have a much different understanding of others and what others want and need. It’s changed me. There’s no getting around the fact that cancer has changed me, and I think that cancer has changed me for the good as well.

I cannot say enough about my experience. Again, it is not always pleasant, and it’s not fun, but I feel so supported. I think back to that woman that night who I met who had nothing good to say about her employer, and I think, Oh, honey, I wish you’d had a very different experience, like I’ve had, of what real support feels like because I think she was bitter.

Bashe:

You know, it’s a two-way street. You’re an incredibly inspiring, uplifting person who understands and speaks about the importance of patient support groups like the Pink Lemonade Project.

Your experience is distinctly unique. You are an incredibly inspiring person, and the fact that you welcomed this special community into your life speaks volumes about your ability to recognize this level of life challenge is difficult enough – but going it alone adds another complexity to the health struggle. I think many people need people like you, Lisa; they need to read about people like you because it gives them a sense of hope for this day and tomorrow. Thank you for this time.

We often read about people confronting cancer diagnoses and their worries about therapy and survival. We read about varied patient advocacy and support communities. Lisa Heathman and the Pink Lemonade Project offer another perspective—how friendship forged through this difficult journey leads to better medical and emotional care. A key lesson is that people with dense breast tissue should take advantage—advocate for advanced screening!

You can connect with the Pink Lemonade Project, which offers support to men and women, through its website and follow its updates on social media.

The post A Cycling Accident Saved My Life appeared first on Medika Life.

This innovative test is cost-effective and efficient, offering a quicker alternative to the more cumbersome and expensive traditional diagnostic methods like ultrasounds or MRIs. Its introduction promises a significant advancement in diagnosing endometriosis, potentially leading to an increase in early detection. This development underscores the importance of community support, particularly the vital role men can play in supporting women diagnosed with this challenging condition.

The intricacies of women’s health often remain whispered secrets, and endometriosis stands out as a condition shrouded in both mystery and misunderstanding. Affecting approximately one in ten women worldwide, endometriosis is characterised by silent suffering, misunderstood symptoms, and a journey marked by misdiagnosis and isolation. Yet, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for profound solidarity, understanding, and support — an opportunity for men to step into roles of allies, advocates, and champions for the women in their lives battling endometriosis.

Why should men care about endometriosis? Beyond the statistics and clinical definitions, endometriosis affects our mothers, sisters, partners, friends, and colleagues. It weaves through the fabric of our relationships, impacting the physical well-being of those we care about and their emotional landscapes. Understanding endometriosis is about breaking down the barriers of silence and stigma that have long surrounded women’s health. It’s about creating spaces where empathy flourishes, support is unconditional, and awareness leads to action.

This article is a call to action for every brother, father, boyfriend, husband, and employer to understand endometriosis and actively participate in the journey towards empathy, support, and advocacy. Educating ourselves and standing alongside those affected can transform the endometriosis narrative from isolation to collective action and hope. Together, we can foster understanding, dismantle stigmas, and champion the health and well-being of women everywhere.

The Importance of Support

The fundamental question at the heart of any conversation about endometriosis is: Why is it crucial for men to engage in this dialogue? The answer lies in the shared human experience of empathy and compassion and the profound impact that understanding, support, and advocacy can have on women battling this condition.

Empathy and Awareness: A Foundation for Support

Understanding endometriosis is more than just familiarising oneself with its symptoms and treatments; it’s about acknowledging its profound effect on a woman’s life. For many women, endometriosis is a source of chronic pain, fertility issues, and emotional and psychological distress. The path to diagnosis is frequently long, winding, and fraught with challenges, leaving many feeling misunderstood and alone in their struggle.

For men, stepping into a role of empathy and awareness means recognising the silent battles and the strength it takes to face them daily. It’s about realising that support can transform the experience of someone living with endometriosis from isolation to shared strength and understanding. By becoming informed and empathetic allies, men can help dismantle the stigmas surrounding endometriosis and all aspects of women’s health, fostering a culture of openness and care.

Breaking Down Barriers: Towards a More Supportive Society

The silence that often surrounds women’s health issues, particularly those like endometriosis, is a barrier to understanding and support. This silence is born from a complex web of cultural, social, and even medical misconceptions and biases that can make it difficult for women to speak openly about their experiences. Men have a pivotal role in breaking down these barriers by educating themselves and others about endometriosis and advocating for and normalising conversations about menstrual health and women’s well-being.

Engagement from men in discussions about endometriosis and broader women’s health issues is crucial. It challenges outdated stereotypes and contributes to a more inclusive and supportive environment. By asking questions, seeking to understand, and showing compassion, men can help ensure that the journey women with endometriosis face is less isolating. They can contribute to a society where women feel seen, heard, and supported in all aspects of their health and well-being.

Becoming an Informed Ally

Educate Yourself About Endometriosis:

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside the uterus. This can lead to severe pain, irregular bleeding, and even infertility. Despite its prevalence, it often needs to be diagnosed due to a need for more awareness and understanding. Resources (more information can be found at the end of the article) such as the Endometriosis Foundation of America, World Endometriosis Society (WES) or the European Endometriosis Alliance offer comprehensive insights into symptoms, treatments, and the latest research.

Listen and Learn from Experiences:

Engage in conversations with women willing to share their experiences with endometriosis. Understand that each woman’s journey with the condition is unique. Listening without judgment or assumption fosters an environment of trust and empathy.

Recognise the Emotional Impact:

Endometriosis carries a significant emotional burden. Acknowledge the frustration, fear, and anxiety that can accompany chronic pain and the challenges of seeking diagnosis and treatment. Offering emotional support and understanding can make a significant difference.

Advocate and Support in Practical Ways:

Advocate for workplace policies that support women’s health, such as flexible working hours and medical leave for those with chronic conditions. Encourage open dialogue about women’s health in your circles to challenge stigma and promote understanding.

Stay Informed About Advances in Treatment:

Medical research and treatment options for endometriosis are constantly evolving. Stay updated on these developments to support informed decision-making and better access to care.

Connect with Supportive Communities:

Encourage participation in or support the creation of support groups and communities for those affected by endometriosis. These spaces can provide valuable emotional support, advice, and solidarity.

Taking Action and Offering Solutions

For Personal Support:

• Listen and encourage open conversations about endometriosis with the women in your life. Validate their experiences and learn about their specific needs and challenges.
• Be present and accompany them to medical appointments when possible, offering emotional support and an additional ear for important information.

In the Workplace:

• Advocate for policies that recognise and accommodate the needs of employees with endometriosis, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and medical leave for treatment.
• Facilitate workshops to raise awareness about endometriosis, fostering an environment of understanding and support. These sessions can educate employees about the condition, how it may affect their colleagues, and how they can offer support.

In the Public Sphere:

• Support public health campaigns to increase awareness and understanding of endometriosis. Share information and advocate for broader societal recognition of the condition.
• Partner with or support non-profit organisations that work towards advancing research, treatment, and support for those affected by endometriosis.

Services to Drive Change:

• Design and execute comprehensive public health campaigns to raise awareness about endometriosis, change public perceptions, and encourage supportive actions.
• Develop strategic PR initiatives to improve public understanding of endometriosis and promote gender-sensitive health policies. These initiatives aim to advocate for substantial support and increased research funding, driving a change in how endometriosis is perceived and addressed in the public sphere.
• Provide strategic communication support to non-profit organisations focusing on women’s health. Assist in amplifying their messages, advocating for policy changes, and engaging communities in meaningful dialogue about endometriosis.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the significance of Endometriosis Awareness Week and the groundbreaking Ziwig Endotest, it’s clear that raising awareness is merely the first step towards effecting meaningful change. True transformation requires actionable support and involvement from everyone, including men, who are pivotal in providing the necessary support for women battling endometriosis. By understanding more about the condition, recognising its impact, and advocating for those affected, we can shift from passive awareness to active support. This commitment to empathy, education, and advocacy will pave the way for a more supportive and informed society where the health and well-being of women are prioritised.

Let us embark on this journey inspired by the advancements in diagnostic technology and the stories of resilience and strength. Together, by championing the cause of women with endometriosis, we commit to making a lasting difference — promoting understanding, breaking down stigmas, and enhancing the quality of life for women across the globe.

References:

1. Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound): A patient-focused organisation in the US that provides education, support, and advocacy for women with endometriosis. They offer resources, connect patients with specialists, and fund research initiatives. You can find them at the Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.org/.
2. World Endometriosis Society (WES): A global, multi-disciplinary professional organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. They organise conferences, publish research, and set best practices for endometriosis care. You can find them at World Endometriosis Society: https://endometriosis.ca/
3. European Endometriosis Alliance (EEA): This umbrella organisation connects national endometriosis support groups across Europe. They advocate for awareness, improved diagnosis and treatment, and increased research funding. While they don’t offer direct support to patients, you can find information on member organisations in various European countries on their website: https://endometriosis.org/news/support-awareness/european-endometriosis-alliance/.
4. Ziwig Biotech: A company using salvia diagnostics for many diseases and conditions beyond early diagnosis, saliva can provide information on individual risk of developing disease, disease progression, or therapeutic response, all in a simple, rapid, and non-invasive method. More information can be found on their website: https://ziwig.com/en/home/

The post A Guide for Men to Become Champions of Support for Endometriosis appeared first on Medika Life.

Last year, Medika Life published a piece titled The Top 20 AI Voices to Watch, and most of the thought leaders, influencers, and theorists featured continue to demonstrate why they lead the AI conversation. Among those key voices – Tom Lawry and John Nosta – have focused on why conversation must center around “not will be” rather than what is!  What is happening with this technology right now to improve the system and human health?  Nosta points to how AI is an extension of the health professionals’ cognitive abilities, and Lawry reinforces that health systems that adapt and implement remain ahead of the care curve.

Too much of the side conversation distracts from the reality that AI isn’t a future shock; it’s happening – it’s been happening – now and for decades and is impacting health professionals’ abilities to rise to higher levels of performance and contribution within their communities. 

We had a chance to sit down with one of those market leaders whose ideas and organization are demonstrating the efficient value of AI to make medical diagnoses more timely, efficient, and effective.  Joseph Mossel, Co-founder and CEO of Ibex Medical Analytics is an engineer, entrepreneur, and supply chain workflow expert and has been partnering with pathologists, health systems, and pharmaceutical companies to add speed and reduce the human stressors around accurate diagnosis.

Medika Life sat down with Mossel to explore how he and his team at Ibex bring real-time practical value to the pathologist’s workflow and world and, in doing so, bring an authoritative voice and application to their output.

Conversation with Joseph Mossel – Ibex Medical Analytics

Gil Bashe, Editor-in-Chief, Media Life: People often discuss augmented intelligence – AI – as “futuristic” or theoretical technology. Then, there is abundant conversation about AI’s pros and cons. Can it replace skilled medical professionals?  But, as you and Ibex AI demonstrate, it accelerates critical analysis – sustains human life, and enhances research decisions. Your company’s customers embrace this “thinking” technology to improve workflow and reduce throughput stress. Perhaps most important is its ability to amplify critical thinking skills to provide deeper understanding. 

People want to understand how leaders take this technology, manage vast amounts of information, and operationalize it. You turn a wealth of information into practical business and clinical solutions that sustain and save lives. Do you agree with that basic premise?

Joseph Mossel, CEO, Ibex: Yes, I do. When we looked at this field, we saw a huge opportunity to do something that had not been done before by applying AI to pathology. While it’s been done successfully in radiology, digitization in pathology is far more recent, presents unique challenges, and offers significant opportunities for the research and clinical care communities. For us, it was crucial to feel that we were doing something meaningful and helping improve people’s health globally.

What’s interesting about Ibex is that our founders come from a computer science background. We set out to harness the technology within a clinical environment. But we were true to the goal of helping patients and physicians. This singular focus guided us throughout our journey to do something meaningful and, as you note, practical.

Bashe: Pathology, traditionally involved in examining wet slides under a microscope, now embraces digitization. You were applying computer science and thinking through an idea that would transform an insight-driven medical profession that navigates within a larger physician community.

When you and your co-founder began this journey, did you study the entire process, from sample collection to the pathology lab’s inner workings to how patient-centered professionals use these data? What was your approach to understanding and improving this sector?

AI Isn’t Only About Data – It’s Also Work Flow Change

Mossel: More than that. We come from a background that requires understanding how to build products that improve throughput and output. It’s in our DNA. This isn’t just about analyzing data; it’s about having products running in the market, accomplishing an engineering feat and a successful user experience. A lot of sector knowledge is core to the company’s DNA.

As we looked at pathology, three questions drove what we were doing:  

1. The pathology lab resembles a sophisticated factory with advanced machinery and highly trained technicians.  We wondered how to improve this (life-sustaining) factory—even considering how the experts’ experience improved.
2. How do we capture mistakes early to reduce professional anxiety?
3. How do we ensure the right cases get the right priority? We explored the steps, bottlenecks, challenges, and the IT status and infrastructure of the pathology lab.

The next set of questions is clinical. We needed to understand what happened after this sophisticated “factory” had completed its initial work. How is the information used in patient care or research?  How can it be prepared and offered so that it continues to advance within the decision-making process?

The slides are already there, and a pathologist is looking through, historically, the microscope, now on a computer screen, and conducting the analysis. The key is understanding the clinical questions pathologists must answer and having confidence in their observation beyond a black-and-white diagnosis. That is much more complex than just saying whether cancer cells are present or not.  It adds value to this professional’s presence in the care or research process.

Our goal is to identify tasks where AI excels, like counting cells, and tasks where human expertise shines, such as spotting very small, suspected regions. AI can ensure that everything is scanned and nothing is missed, highlighting interesting areas and ensuring the pathologist can confidently examine.  Augmented Intelligence, in this case, is not replacing the pathologist; it’s helping them do their job – the function that makes them essential in clinical care – even better.

If the Benefits Are Clear Change Is Possible

Bashe: No matter how valuable the idea or technology is, sometimes the culture of a community can create roadblocks to change. As an engineer with computer science and product development expertise, you understand the pathologist’s role as an ally to allied health professionals and as your customer. You have the keen ability as an engineer who understands computer science and building products, which means you understand customer expectations.

There is often a feeling that physicians feel threatened by AI; what was your experience sitting down with your advisors? What comments or feedback were you getting from those people?

Mossel: My view might be biased as I primarily meet with people already inclined toward using AI. The main reason I hear from early adopters is that pathologists are struggling to cope with their field’s increasing complexity, and they are genuinely open to help.

One of the things that we hear from many of our users is that it reduces stress levels. It also just helps them get through the cases faster. There’s less buildup of what they physically have on their desk – slides waiting to be made, for example – which adds stress.

But there’s an even deeper element: they don’t need to go home with this feeling at the end of the day. ‘What did I miss today? Was there something I didn’t see?”

So there’s always these remaining questions, and I think we’re helping them sleep better at night. In general, we make the experience of being a pathologist meaningful – even crucial to the next part of the patient’s journey. We’re not at all considering replacing pathologists. We’re focused on making their experience and clinical voices more authoritative.

Bashe: Technology augments the skills of health professionals; it doesn’t replace them. The human deploys or calls upon the technology to provide a greater value to the system, the patient, and the referring physician, and it becomes a much more authoritative voice because they’re championing it. They’re channeling their wisdom through technology.

Ibex chose to focus specifically on cancer diagnosis. Was that a personal, strategic, or market-driven choice? Because of the ability of the technology? Can we say, ‘Wow, it’s not that they have this type of cancer, from the molecular structure in the staging, it’s this type of cancer, and therefore, we’re best to go with this type of clinical approach’?

Paving the Pathway for Precision Medicine

Mossel: Yes, we are paving the way for precision medicine. I think that’s the third driving question for what we’re doing. One revolves around efficiency and the other concerns clinical quality. We primarily do that with our partnerships; we partner with pharmaceutical companies to use this information. 

Data coming out from pathology drives new insights that pathologists can’t do alone. We are finding these important clinical questions that guide treatment. The key here is getting your hands on the correct data sets that allow you to build what we like to call AI markers, like biomarkers, by analyzing these slides quantitatively, which is different from how a human pathologist does it, and putting this into a machine learning framework, generating novel predictions, creating novel tests.

Why cancer? First of all, you’re right. It doesn’t have to be about the technology. Pathology is not just about cancer; technology lends itself to anything. I think that the answer to your question is all of the above; some of it has to do with firsthand experiences with family members who had cancer. Cancer isn’t everything pathologists do, but it’s undoubtedly the most critical, meaningful, and at the heart of the profession.

If you tie it back to therapeutics, determining the right therapy is where the most significant need and opportunity resides. I see us expanding to other disease areas. Clinical diseases also vary. The diagnosis is a determinant of pathology, and we can certainly go into those domains. We are not limited just to cancer, but still, we think of ourselves as a cancer diagnostic.

Bashe: Cancer is the third major cause of death in the world. 72% of disease deaths relate to what they call noncommunicable diseases. Cancer has a substantial economic impact. If we could get to a correct diagnosis earlier, we could deploy treatments earlier; the fastest or quickest institutions to deploy technologies that make their people smarter, faster, more effective, and more efficient are often major academic medical centers.

Does this type of technology make academic medical centers more important to the biopharmaceutical industry because the quality of the data the department shares is more specific?  Will it make the data more valuable to pharmaceutical companies when submitting new medications?

Mossel: The way to think of it is that AI is, in a way, creating a new modality of data: the ability to extract quantitative objective features from vast information. When you work with human pathologists in a clinical trial, they’re much more limited in the amount and objectivity of the data they can get on the site. So yes, you create this new, much richer, more objective information set. You can do more sophisticated machine learning AI on this data and introduce new insights.

Interestingly, the most significant successes are from academic centers. We work with many, though much of our work is with community commercial pathology labs. These are the backbone centers that oversee high volumes. People in the community commercial pathology labs feel the most pain and stress.  Most of our success is in this domain.

AI Can Advance Health Equity

One of the biggest motivators for our actions is how we help promote health equity. If you’re a pathologist at one of these academic centers, you are well-trained with particularly good colleagues surrounding you. You have a fellow doing all your cases in advance of your searches. There’s a strong support network around you. If you’re a pathologist in a commercial lab, you work alone and don’t have the same level of support. We bring this lab our technology, which was trained by some of the world’s best pathologists and help drive up the quality. Most pathology cases go through these labs, and we are helping them—most people who don’t get their pathology sent out to Brigham and Women’s here in Boston.

Bashe: This is a two-pronged health equity front. Ibex enables the community-based or private lab pathologist to share equality with the state-of-the-art academic medical center’s pathology department. So, David equals Goliath when it comes to clinical output or throughput.

There is also the potential that people who often receive sub-optimal care, the Black, Indigenous Americans diagnostic, can get the same quality oversight as someone who has the private resources to go to Mass General or New England Deaconess or Dana Farber Cancer Center; they’re going to get the same quality review of their pathology data. This type of technology, deployed widely, can be a great equalizer in terms of both the ability of the pathologist to perform and feel comfortable about that, but also the ability of people who may have significant health risks to think that their data had the same oversight as someone from a different zip code. Is that accurate?

Mossel: Yes. This works within a specific country where you have a huge demand. This is not theoretical; we have actual numbers backing it up. But you see it within a specific country, the difference between the top academic centers and the periphery. It’s a dichotomy that exists both on a domestic and international level. If you go to the developing world, there is a massive shortage of pathologists, and there is opportunity there. That’s another part of our vision.

Our mission is to ensure that every patient gets the correct diagnosis. Everyone takes it as a given that cancer diagnosis is often wrong, and we do the best we can do. But we are now in a position where technology allows us to go beyond that, overcome these barriers, and make diagnostic errors exceedingly rare. But it’s not just a technological question, right? It’s a question for the healthcare system. For the technology companies, the providers, the payers, and the regulators – everyone needs to get together and solve this problem.

Bashe: You are a CEO, a founder. You’re an operational leader. You’re listening to the customer’s needs; you’re listening to the response. You talked about how you and your colleagues have created products before, and you understand that it has to be packaged, deployed, and used to assess market success. Could you share two or three measures of success from where you sit? What do you think the success measure should be?

Accuracy Decreases Workplace Stress

Mossel: We have one straightforward measure of success for Ibex that can be extended for the entire industry: the number of biopsies that go through our system. We have hard data showing that Ibex knows what we are doing and has proven that the more cases that go through our system, the fewer the diagnostic errors and the greater the efficiency for pathologists. And for us as a company, that’s what we rally around: driving up the usage. Everything will cascade from both the clinical and economic impacts and the success of Ibex as a company.

Bashe:  Joseph, thank you for your insights – practical guidance on how AI accelerates decisions that save lives. You and your colleagues are drilling down into an area that is one of the most expensive areas of health: managing people with cancer. It’s one of the most terrifying diseases, where people want to know that they have an authoritative diagnosis and where pathologists and oncologists don’t want to screw it up. You are enabling people to be much more confident that the information they’re sharing with their patients and their clinical decisions is on point, not because of their own life experience or clinical experience. But the data is there to back them up. It doesn’t get much more practical than that.

Futurists have the advantage of rarely being wrong.  Long after they’ve shared their predictions, the world moves along. People forget, and the edgy on-stage comment is forgotten.  Pathologists can never be wrong. When they are, it’s considered an error – sometimes with dire consequences.  The possibility of combining knowledge – trained and honed – with the aggregated intelligence of pattern recognition offers pathologists and their health professional community an added advantage.  Ibex AI demonstrates not what is possible – what is happening now. 

The concept of the future is always inviting and exciting.  The difference between invention and innovation is scaled application.  AI, ChatGPT and GenAI applied play to the strength of the curious and bold. Using these technologies can democratize information for humanity’s benefit.

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