“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

With the tumultuous political landscape and holiday season looming there is always something that we wish we could change. We want things to evolve faster or with more agility. We want our kids to “just grow up” or gain independence. We want more time for travel, creativity or leisure. Maybe we just want to feel strong and sexy and it’s taking longer than we want.

When the world isn’t changing fast enough, maybe we can reflect on the quote, “be the change you wish to see in the world” and recognize that small decisions and intentional actions are moving us towards change.

For example, when I look at the menopause landscape there is certainly more conversation, awareness, advocacy and treatment options in the last decade. This didn’t happen overnight and represents a slow growing evolution.

In our daily lives, the work we busy ourselves with, the relationships we cultivate and the goals we strive for represent a form of evolution. Women are catalysts for change.

 

Practice updates: 

Our Fall member event was a success! Conversations about sexual health ranging from libido to testosterone and more.

Dr. Lauren Streicher and I run in the same menopause circles and recommend her podcast to anyone looking to laugh and learn. Check out our recent episode on bone health and osteoporosis.

Stay tuned for the winter event, a webinar entitled “Dermatology Decoded” a discussion about hair and skin changes at midlife with founding physician of the Derm Collective and local dermatologist, Dr. Rachel Pritzker.

 

Dr. DeSapri in the news: 

Bone health is being recognized as menopause’s silent symptom. Debunking that myth and bringing awareness to bone and muscle health. Click link here Enter password: .p2.0N5L

 

Midlife must know! 

300,000 women annually receive a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite advanced screening and prevention, the role of genetics, environmental causes, lifestyle and age contribute to cancer detection and risk reduction.

 

What we know:

There is a nationwide study called the WISDOM Study testing groundbreaking approaches to breast cancer detection and risk reduction. Any woman between the ages of 40 and 74 without a history of breast cancer can join. It’s easy to participate: just go to www.thewisdomstudy.org to sign up and complete the study steps online.

 

What’s good to know? 

There is more to breast cancer detection than your annual mammogram. More advanced screening with automated breast ultrasound is now recommended for women with heterogeneously dense and very dense breasts. Know your complete family cancer history. Online risk calculators called the Tyrer Cuzick model can determine your lifetime risk of breast cancer and inform a discussion about genetic testing, screening with MRI or breast cancer risk reducing medication or surgery.

 

What does this mean for me?

The field of breast cancer detection is rapidly evolving. Join me in the WISDOM Study to add value to enhanced screening and detection recommendations.

Finally, in times of flux when there is stagnation or uncertainty, I remember how much medicine, including menopause care has evolved and how much technology (for better or worse!) has transformed our modern lives. Women are change makers playing leading roles that contribute to the success and evolution of companies, communities, and families.

 

 We look forward to seeing you soon to prioritize your health. And please forward this email to another amazing woman in your life.

 

See You Soon!
Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri