Is it time for a colon cancer check?
We’ve got a theory. If all of our annual or regular tests like cervical cancer screening, mammograms, colonoscopy, and blood tests (to name a few) were combined at one location that offered spa treatments - we’d get them done. Wouldn’t you?
While we work on that business plan, we’ll keep bringing you information to inspire you to put your health first and make those routine appointments. And to advocate for your health when you have concerns.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
It's Your Colon Calling, Is It Time for a Cancer Check?
Knowing the Warning Signs of Preeclampsia Can Save Your Life
Menopause and Work - Let’s Break the Silence
It's Your Colon Calling, Is It Time for a Cancer Check?
Huge shout out to our friends who have recently scheduled their colonoscopy or other colon cancer screening! We see you and we’re proud of you.
Why? Because increased screenings have contributed to a drop in diagnosis. People are finding out what lifestyle changes they can make at the early signs of risk.
Colorectal cancer, sometimes shortened to colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in women and 1 in 25 of us will develop it. People with bowel illnesses like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are at increased risk. As with many cancers, family history can be a contributing factor as well.
If you aren’t a higher risk, the recommendation is to start regular screening at 45. If your risk is higher, your doctor may recommend screenings earlier than 45 or more frequently. You can go to the American Cancer Society for more information on the types of screenings and recommendations.
If you notice any of the following, don’t wait for the screening:
Urge to have a bowel movement when there is no need.
Changes in your bowel habits
Abdominal pain or cramps
If you take nothing away from this piece, it’s your reminder to put colon cancer screening on your list if you are 45 or older or greater risk.
Knowing the Warning Signs of Preeclampsia Can Save Your Life
We’ve talked a bit here about the changes that happen to your body during pregnancy. Many changes are harmless as your body adapts to becoming a home for your new child. But there are symptoms of more serious conditions, that may seem routine, that you need to be aware of.
Preeclampsia is one of those conditions. It’s a high blood pressure condition that can develop anywhere in the latter half of your pregnancy (typically after 20 weeks) up to 6 weeks after giving birth. And its pretty common, preeclampsia affects every 1 in 12 pregnancies.
While preeclampsia is generally diagnosed because of high blood pressure or an increase protein in your urine - there are other symptoms to take note of so you know when to talk to your doctor:
Severe headaches or headaches that won’t go away
Swelling in your hands or face
Blurry vision, light sensitivity, or dark spots in your vision
Right side abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
If you read that list and thought, “wow those could be symptoms for anything”, we’re on the same page.
And with all the changes your body goes through during pregnancy, it may feel easy to write them all of as symptoms of something else. But left untreated, preeclampsia can be fatal to mom and/or baby, so listen to your body.
And remember to advocate for yourself if you experience the above symptoms or just feel there’s something off. One of our friends shared that after 24 weeks she had swelling that wouldn’t subside and noticed a higher than normal blood pressure in a couple of prenatal check ups. Her concerns were brushed off by her doctor - “things that happen during pregnancy”. During labor her blood pressure spiked dangerously and she was diagnosed with preeclampsia and rushed to a different hospital. Don’t worry, Mom & baby were safe and healthy.
If you want more stories about preeclampsia - stay tuned to our social media this week, or read stories collected by the Preeclampsia Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control.
Menopause and Work -Let’s Break the Silence
If you consider that roughly 45% of people in the workforce over 50 are women, managing work during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause is of real interest. And should be for employers too!
As part of our mission to reduce the taboo on talking about menopause, let’s talk honestly about how it impacts our work lives.
In their Women in the Workplace survey, Biote, found some concerning feedback about work from participants:
40% found symptoms interfered with work at least weekly
20% found symptoms interfered with work daily or many times a day.
26% shared that symptoms negatively impacted their career or work opportunities
In another study from Elektra Health, a third of women report menopause has negative impacts at work. More concerning, the fond 20% of participants actually considered leaving their jobs!
Ugh, depressing. At this stage in your career, you’ve built up expertise and valuable skills. You’re feeling at the prime of your career. So what can you do to make sure this transition doesn’t change that?
Talk to your doctor about symptom management.
Read the updated guidance on Hormone Therapy and breast cancer risk. (spoiler alert, there is new data about breast cancer risk that opens up therapy for more of us.)
Beyond hormones, consider other treatments.
Leverage any work-from-home or flexible schedule opportunities, as you need them.
Read up on what employers can do and how you can ask for the support you need.
And talk to your friends who are going through the same stage in life. You won’t feel isolated and may start to focus on the reasons that menopause can be awesome.
Medical Term of the Week
When we heard the term, virtual colonoscopy, we thought it sounded like something they would only have on Star Trek (our geek side is showing). Well, a CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy is real today!
If the idea of a colonoscopy scares you, ask your doctor about this less invasive version. It involves similar prep, but uses x-rays and CT scans rather than a scope to get a picture of the colon and rectum. If something abnormal is found, you may still need a colonoscopy. Nice to have options, though!
Parents often prioritze their children’s health above their own. When your child is living with mental illness, it can be even harder to get the support you need. There are actions you can take to help with that. (From Fortune Well)
A full continuum of care for maternal and infant health is needed in the US. You can learn more about the case for it and the positive outcomes when it is done well. (from MedCity News)
Women have a higher incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the work in digital therapeutics could tremendously improve patient experiences. (from Lights Camera Crohn’s)