Overlooked: Women's Health Can't Wait

Latest Episodes:

Surviving an almost fatal brain aneurysm, with Alicia Trujillo Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

When journalist Alicia Trujillo felt a sudden, searing headache while swimming, she knew something was wrong. Doctors finally uncovered the cause a few days later - a ruptured aneurysm in her brain. In this episode, Alicia recounts the harrowing days leading up to her diagnosis, the emergency brain surgery that followed, and how it changed her outlook on life.

There's still a ton we don't know about women in midlife. Listen to other episodes about this topic:

The revelation of a midlife ADHD diagnosis, with Claire Tomkins: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/e5b0937494315b8bd1413c92ee349bdf

Not your mother's menopause, with Dr Gillian Goddard: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/bc6b393ad36c74d5a1a8c68ae0b6da71

🔗 Show Notes:

Understanding Brain Aneurysms: Learn more about symptoms, causes, and risk factors from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483
Mentioned in the episode: Emilia Clarke’s organization https://www.sameyou.org/

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Overlooked tells powerful stories about women's health conditions that don't get enough attention. The show is hosted by Golda Arthur, an audio journalist and producer. Learn more about the show here: www.overlookedpod.com

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

HPV, cervical cancer and the at-home screening test that could save your life, with Dr Anita Lim Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

Cervical cancer is preventable, but nobody really likes showing up at the gynecologist’s office to get their screening done - which is likely the reason the number of women who show up for screening has been falling. Now, a DIY screening kit will allow you to do the test at home. Dr Anita Lim is a cancer epidemiologist at King's College London and was the lead researcher on a major study measuring the effectiveness of 'self-sampling' in the UK. She talks about heartfelt messages she received from women in the study and why self-sampling could be a game-changer for cervical screening and women’s health.

Show notes:

Dr Anita Lim https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/anita-lim

The YouScreen study https://www.nclcanceralliance.nhs.uk/ncl-news/youscreen-self-sampling-study-results/

More on cervical cancer https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/cervical-cancer.html

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Can we talk about menopause in the office yet, and what are menopause benefits? Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Despite all the noise about menopause (and there’s a lot), there’s one place where we’re still not talking about it openly, and that’s the workplace. But that’s changing - slowly. Now, some companies are offering menopause benefits too. In this episode, we look at menopause in the workplace, and hear from Sarah Shepherd (Privia Health) and Isha Viij (Maven Clinic).

Want more menopause stories? We've got you covered -

The revelation of a midlife ADHD diagnosis, with Claire Tomkins: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/e5b0937494315b8bd1413c92ee349bdf

A full hysterectomy could prevent cancer - but it also kickstarts menopause: Pamela Esposito-Amery’s story

https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/2b1e1ca954fbe57df2ec68e22c038a64

Not your mother's menopause, with Dr Gillian Goddard: https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/bc6b393ad36c74d5a1a8c68ae0b6da71

Show Notes:

Previa Health: https://www.priviahealth.com/

Maven Clinic: https://www.mavenclinic.com/

Maven Clinic’s report on the menopause experience for millennials and generation X: https://mavenpreprint.substack.com/p/millenopause-is-reframing-middle

Samantha Bee’s menopause show, which is mentioned at the start of the episode: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/samantha-bee-takes-on-menopause-in-her-new-one-woman-show/

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Managing pain from an IUD insertion, and the importance of the pelvic floor, with Carine Carmy Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Earlier this year, the CDC updated its recommendations on pain management for IUD insertion (intrauterine devices used for birth control), which prompted Carine Carmy to share her story of how an IUD insertion sent her to the emergency room with severe pain, nausea, chills and a fever. She talks about what happened, and why we should have more in-depth conversations about pain management with our healthcare providers. She’s now the co-founder and CEO of Origin, a women’s health company focused on pelvic floor physical therapy, and she explains why the pelvic floor is an overlooked and crucial part of our bodies and overall health.

Listen to another episode about cervical health - 'Sharing a difficult story about cervical screening, with writer Brittany Chaffee'

https://pod.link/1706322130/episode/45572d4cdf13dcfa76517a40b5c434e6

SHOW NOTES:

CDC updates guidelines on pain relief for IUD insertion https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-know-about-pain-relief-iud-insertion-options-insurance/

Pelvic health 101 https://www.theoriginway.com/pelvic-floor-101

The 2024 Origin pelvic health study https://www.theoriginway.com/2024-pelvic-health-study

On this episode, we also spotlight the work of the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative of British Columbia. Learn more at https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get backstories and updates on the podcast - sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com.

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: hello@overlookedpod.com

DISCLAIMER What you hear and read on ‘Overlooked’ is for general information purposes only and represents the opinions of the host and guests. The content on the podcast and website should not be taken as medical advice. Every person’s body is unique, so please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions that may arise.

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

The revelation of a midlife ADHD diagnosis, with Claire Tomkins Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Claire Tomkins found out she had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in her early fifties, while going through perimenopause. When it comes to ADHD, women are generally under-diagnosed, and Claire talks about how this late diagnosis helped her understand her own actions and decisions, and the struggle of having ADHD and managing kids, jobs and relationships.

Show notes:

More on ADHD: We thought this episode from Mayo Clinic’s Health Matters podcast was an informative listen: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/is-this-adhd/

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

A full hysterectomy could prevent cancer - but it also kickstarts menopause: Pamela Esposito-Amery’s story Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

When Pamela Esposito-Amery discovered she had a genetic predisposition to cancer, she took a decision to undergo a full hysterectomy - which also put her in ‘surgical’ menopause. Pamela talks about the physical and emotional impact of this life-changing procedure, as well as the work of her organization, Tell Every Amazing Lady (T.E.A.L), which she started with her sister, the late Louisa M. McGregor, in Brooklyn, New York.

In this episode, you can also hear the stories of listeners who sent in voice memos, talking about their journeys with cancer.

If you’d like to contact the podcast and send in your story, head to our website:

https://overlookedpod.com/getintouch

SHOW NOTES

-Tell Every Amazing Lady: https://telleveryamazinglady.org/

-More on surgical menopause from Target Ovarian Cancer: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/your-situation/im-younger-woman-diagnosis/surgical-menopause

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Innovating Ovarian Cancer Diagnostics, with Nicole Sandford, CEO of Aspira Women’s Health Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

How do you bring women’s health innovation to life when the healthcare system is set up to resist change? In this episode, Nicole Sandford, CEO of Aspira Women’s Health, shares the hurdles her company faces in pushing forward diagnostics for ovarian cancer. As a cancer survivor, she also reflects on how her personal health journey fuels her commitment to advancing care for women.

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Aspira Women’s Health and their ‘Ovasuite’ blood tests: https://aspirawh.com/
Mentioned in the episode: World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: https://worldovariancancercoalition.org/

Related Episodes:

‘Diagnosis’ from Overlooked Season 1: https://overlookedpod.com/episode/diagnosis

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get updates on the podcast: sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com.

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: hello@overlookedpod.com

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Discovering a borderline tumor in your 20s, with Lucy Rudd Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Overlooked, host Golda Arthur speaks with Lucy Rudd, a biomedical scientist from the UK, who shares her powerful story of discovering a borderline ovarian tumor at just 28 years old. What began as a small lump quickly spiraled into a period of intense uncertainty, fear, and difficult decisions about her health and fertility. Lucy takes us through her journey of diagnosis, her experience with the healthcare system, and the emotional toll of living with the unknown.

Hear how Lucy’s medical background informed her understanding of the situation, but also how confusing and overwhelming the process became—even for someone with insider knowledge of the healthcare system. We also explore Lucy’s struggle with fertility preservation, and the emotional aftermath of losing one ovary.

Resources and Links:

Learn more about borderline ovarian tumors - Cancer Research UK : https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer/types/borderline
Resources for ovarian cancer in the UK: Target Ovarian Cancer

Related Episodes:

‘Diagnosis’ from Overlooked Season 1

SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter to get updates on the podcast: sign up at the banner on the website: www.overlookedpod.com.

EMAIL US - get in touch with the show: hello@overlookedpod.com

Follow the show, and episodes will come to you automatically.

Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Not your mother's menopause, with Dr. Gillian Goddard Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description:

What’s the difference between menopause and perimenopause anyway? Is there such a thing as menopause misinformation? Why don’t we know more about menopause and HRT? Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist and writer behind the Hot Flash newsletter, answers these and other important questions about menopause, debunking common myths and providing practical advice for how to talk to your doctor about menopause symptoms.

This is the last episode of Overlooked in this season. Stay up to date with the show by subscribing to the newsletter here - www.overlookedpod.com.

Show notes:

Gillian Goddard’s Hot Flash Newsletter: https://parentdata.org/hotflash-signup/

Gillian’s piece on HRT for menopause https://parentdata.org/hormone-replacement-therapy-menopause-symptoms/

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.

Sharing a difficult story about cervical screening, with writer Brittany Chaffee Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Brittany Chaffee talks about navigating cervical health testing, and recounts the moment she received an alarming call from her doctor, leading to years of anxiety, biopsies, and eventually, a harrowing LEEP procedure. Brittany emphasizes the importance of talking publicly about women’s health to combat shame and isolation.

Show notes:

‘The powerful act of sharing our stories about women’s health.’

What is a LEEP procedure?

What is a colposcopy?

More information on cervical cancer screening

We’re building a community around women’s health so that no one is overlooked. You can support the show by:

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-Write to us and tell us your story: hello@overlookedpod.com

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Our music is licensed through Blue Dot Sessions.