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Meet Dr. Alicia Robbins, a specialist in women’s health and founder of The ELM in Connecticut. Dr. Robbins explains her journey into creating a practice focused on the needs of women over 40, a pivotal age for proactive health management. She shares insights into the nuances of perimenopause, hormone therapy, and the often-overlooked health shifts women experience in midlife. Through their discussion, Dr. Robbins and Amy explore how women can stay informed, empowered, and proactive about their well-being during these transformative years.
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Meet Dr. Alicia Robbins, a specialist in women’s health and founder of The ELM in Connecticut. Dr. Robbins explains her journey into creating a practice focused on the needs of women over 40, a pivotal age for proactive health management. She shares insights into the nuances of perimenopause, hormone therapy, and the often-overlooked health shifts women experience in midlife. Through their discussion, Dr. Robbins and Amy explore how women can stay informed, empowered, and proactive about their well-being during these transformative years.
In a candid conversation with SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein, Dr. Elizabeth Comen—a New York City breast oncologist, author, and medical historian—dives into the realities of women’s health, the gaps in medical research, and the importance of advocacy. Drawing from her recent book, All in Her Head, Dr. Comen discusses how the historical treatment of women in medicine has shaped today’s challenges, from inadequate testing to cultural taboos around health. Join Amy and Dr. Comen as they explore the journey of empowering women through knowledge, empathy, and a deeper understanding of whole-person care.
In a dynamic conversation with SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein, sisters Lisa Humiston and Sarah Dorband discuss their journey in creating HeartSnug, an innovative medical garment designed to provide women with comfort and privacy during healthcare visits. Sparked by Sarah’s own experiences as a cardiac patient and her lifelong struggle with vulnerable moments in clinical settings, HeartSnug aims to empower women to feel secure and dignified during medical exams. Lisa and Sarah share their passion for patient rights, their mission to change standard healthcare practices, and the family bond that fuels their drive. Dive into this interview to learn how HeartSnug is set to become a game-changer in healthcare.
In this conversation, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein sits down with Emily Gold Mears, author and self-described “citizen scientist,” to discuss the importance of being proactive about health and navigating an often complex healthcare landscape. With a background in law and research, Emily shares how she became an advocate for preventive health, offering insights into the power of testing, understanding nutrition, and becoming one’s own best health advocate. Join Amy and Emily as they explore the practical steps women can take to empower themselves in today’s healthcare environment.
In this interview, we delve into writer Sara Altschule's deeply personal journey as a previvor who initially discovered her BRCA gene mutation through a 23andMe test. Sara's story highlights the critical need for open conversations about genetic mutations, access to support, and the formidable challenges of navigating insurance coverage…
“We found a mass in your esophagus,” my GI doctor said as I woke up after an endoscopy. My heart sank, and my stomach lurched, as I tried to absorb the shocking news. What does this mean? Is it cancerous? After an agonizing five days I got confirmation. It was a malignant tumor––esophageal cancer….
While AI has been around for decades, it feels like it has really taken off in just the last year or two. From planning a travel itinerary to perfecting emails, the possibilities are seemingly endless with AI. But with any new technology comes the power to use it for good and to abuse it. One area of concern for me and other health experts is AI’s role in healthcare…
In our interview with Angela Arnold Ross, MS, LCGC, Genetic Counselor, we dive deep into the world of inherited gene mutations and their impact on cancer risk. With her extensive experience and expertise, Angela provides valuable insights into genetic testing and counseling, available treatment options, and essential resources for patients and their families…
At what age should we be getting our first mammograms? 40? 45? 50? How often do we need them? Does it really make a difference?
The short answer is 40, yearly, and yes, it could be lifesaving.
There’s a lot of buzz about Ozempic and newly approved prescription weight-loss medications on the market. While these GLP-1 agonists were originally created as effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes, the weight loss side effect (caused by early fullness and less hunger, leading to consuming less food), has consumers requesting these meds in droves. Several medications in this class have now been FDA-approved strictly for weight-loss for those with comorbidities of obesity. We’re seeing exciting results, but these medications are not without their issues, including a supply shortage causing diabetics to be denied access….
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve caught wind of the recent Ozempic hype. Ozempic and other GLP-1 RA medications (I’ll expand on what that means shortly) have entered the global spotlight as the hot health topic among celebrities and across news outlets. While the drug was originally prescribed for diabetes, this “miracle medication” has risen to fame over the last few years due to its impact on rapid weight loss….
Every person assigned female at birth has their own natural vaginal odor. Your vagina contains billions of bacteria whose makeup changes daily. So, it's normal for your vagina's odor to change often. But if you notice that your odor is a little more potent than usual, bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be to blame…
We’re making improvements every day in the early detection and management of breast cancers, but what we really need is a way to prevent them from developing in the first place. Recent headlines have announced an imminent breast cancer vaccine. What does a breast cancer vaccine mean, exactly?
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you: unshakeable fatigue, persistent brain fog, shortness of breath, digestive complications, and/or lasting pain running throughout your body?…
According to the CDC, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to five times more likely to die of preventable, pregnancy-related issues than white women. Hypertension, blood clots, and other catastrophic medical issues are poorly identified and managed during pregnancy for these populations, with devastating results…
There are more than 100 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most are harmless, but some can lead to genital warts and cancer. But by getting routine pap smears and making sure you are vaccinated against HPV; you can significantly reduce your risk. Unfortunately, in recent years, the misinformation about HPV and the vaccine has increased thanks to social media, so it's important to distinguish truth from fiction. So here is what you need to know about HPV, how to prevent it, and whether the vaccine is right for you…
Recently, I had the privilege of talking to Dr. Denise Johnson-Miller, medical director of the breast program of El Camino Hospital in Northern California. As a leader in her field for more than thirty years, Dr. Johnson-Miller has practiced as a surgical oncologist, professor, and program director at many distinguished programs across the country including Rutgers and Stanford….
In the United States, 99 percent of women who have been sexually active report having used some form of contraception at some point in their lives. As a result, birth control is championed as a groundbreaking innovation that provides women with reproductive freedom to prevent pregnancy or manage period symptoms. But with the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landscape for reproductive liberties has shifted….
This interview will change the way you look at the products around your home. Meet Dr. Linda Kahn, one of the most important researchers on environmental exposures and women’s health working today…
The fact is, breasts are complicated organs, and it’s easy to feel lost in the myriad diagnoses, tests, and treatment options. 70% of women experience breast pain in their lives, especially from age 30-50, and that most of the time it is not an indication of cancer. It can however be extremely irritating and interfere with daily life…
My name is Sarah Zimmerman, PA-C and I am a freelance writer and Physician Assistant. I recently started working in a breast center, and The SEAM editors have kindly asked me to write a regular column on all things breast cancer… The fact is, breast cancer is very complicated, and it’s easy to feel lost in the myriad diagnoses, tests, and treatment options. So often, when we’re given a cancer diagnosis, all we hear are alarm bells going off in our heads, and the specific and foreign medical jargon is too much. I’m here to try to make it all clearer….
For those who have received a diagnosis of cancer, or were present when someone else has, the memory of that moment sticks in strangely specific ways. We might recall the color of the wallpaper or the music on the radio, what we’d eaten that morning, or the smell of the hand sanitizer. And it’s common for the overwhelm of emotions in that moment to make it difficult to retain important information….
Elizabeth “Brianne” Lovin underwent a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction, a hysterectomy and a removal of both of her ovaries and fallopian tubes at age forty-one, not because she had cancer, but in order to prevent cancer. She is one of the approximately 0.25% of the population that carries a BRCA gene, a hereditary gene mutation that prevents normal tumor suppression…
You trust your healthcare provider to help with your medical concerns. You rely on their experience and expertise to manage your symptoms. And you expect them to offer answers to your questions. But what happens when your questions go unanswered? Or worse, your provider dismisses your symptoms or tells you that you are fine — but you know something is wrong…
Never heard of pelvic floor therapy? Or are you just curious about how it all works? Don't worry; we've got it covered. Here is your guide to pelvic floor therapy and what to expect during treatment…
“I wish people understood the reality of long-haul COVID. It’s hard to fathom going from perfectly healthy to completely debilitated in a few short weeks or months, but it is happening all over the world. This is going to pose such a challenge to health care and economies for many years to come”…
There are so many myths and inaccuracies when it comes to contraception. Even though various methods are available and 72 million women in the United States use birth control, rumors about their safety and effectiveness persist. If you are hoping to delay pregnancy for a few more years or avoid it altogether, you should understand all of your choices. Unfortunately, this can be a little more than challenging when separating fact from fiction. So, let's set the record straight. Here are some common birth control myths and the truth behind them….
Dr. Brittany L. Siontis is a medical oncologist with a specialty interest in sarcomas. What are sarcomas? Sarcomas are a rare, insidious, and little-understood cancer that can affect adults and children alike. Often misdiagnosed, sarcomas can begin either in the bones or in the soft tissue. For that reason, they are very difficult to catch in their early stages. Dr Siontis currently serves as the Principal Investigator of several active clinical trials at Mayo Clinic through the Sarcoma Medical Oncology Group and works closely with the non-profit Rein in Sarcoma, a resource for patients and families touched by this disease….
Frequent bathroom runs, the constant urge to go, or that burning feeling when you pee. Ugh! These could all be signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which women commonly experience. Whether this is all new to you or you've had your share of infections, here is a guide to help you make sense of urinary tract infections…
Even when we’re feeling great and have no complaints, preventative care is how we maintain that wellness. Regular screening and checkups are critical throughout life, which is why healthcare reform works to remove obstacles like cost and access to this essential service…