News Items & Articles
on Gynecologic Health, Seasoned
Women's Health, Health Disparities & More
A New Study Just Linked Endometriosis With A Higher Chance of Ovarian Cancer. Experts Explain The Real Risk
Women with severe types of endometriosis... had an overall ovarian cancer risk that was about 9.7 times higher than women without the condition. These women also had nearly 19 times the risk of developing type I ovarian cancer, which grows more slowly than other forms, the researchers noted in the study.
Reduced healthcare access contributes to delay of care in
endometrial cancer
The median time from symptom onset to
treatment was 4 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 8 months. Most patients had stage I disease at diagnosis (88.6%). There was no significant difference in race/ethnicity or disease stage at time of diagnosis between
different groups. Patients who had not seen a primary care physician or general obstetrician-gynecologist in the year before symptom onset were more likely to have significantly delayed care.
Older women's health is woefully understudied
Medical research has shortchanged women for decades. This is particularly true of older women, leaving them without critically important information. Many drugs widely prescribed to older adults were studied mostly in men, with results extrapolated to women.
NIH-funded clinical trials often miss racial, gender diversity enrollment goals, report finds
Clinical trials that the National Institutes of Health funds often enroll fewer Black patients and other underrepresented racial groups than they plan to, according to a study of 30 NIH-funded trials sampled by the HHS Office of Inspector General.
Mayo scientists explore swabs for early endometrial, ovarian cancer detection
Early detection improves treatment outcomes for endometrial and ovarian cancers, yet far too often women are diagnosed in advanced stages of these diseases. Unlike many other cancers, there are no standard screenings for early detection of endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Older adults are having sex, and they’re getting STIs, too
“Unfortunately, a lot of providers perceive that older adults don’t have sex, that they don’t want to have sex, or they cannot have sex, and that’s simply not true,” says Matthew Lee Smith, an associate professor in the health behavior department at Texas A&M’s School of Public Health.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Are Becoming More Common in Older Adults, CDC Data Show
Information from the agency’s latest STI surveillance report revealed that between 2012 and 2022, the number of gonorrhea cases among this age group rose about fivefold. Chlamydia cases have tripled, while syphilis cases have increased by roughly seven times during that period.
From Awareness to Action: Putting Cancer Disparities in the Rearview Mirror
Studies have shown, for instance, that Hispanic and Black women with breast cancer are more likely than White women to face significant treatment delays. In addition to being stressful, treatment delays—particularly for people with more aggressive breast cancers—can affect how long people live after their cancer diagnosis.
Biden signs order directing $200 million toward women’s health research
The order directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to spend $200 million on women’s health research, and it directed the Office of Management and Budget and the Gender Policy Council to assess gaps in federal funding for women’s health and identify potential changes.
A cancer breakthrough and the heroes behind it get
spotlight in new show
“The Cancer Detectives,” a new American Experience documentary on PBS, tracks the fascinating and surprisingly frustrating backstory of the Pap smear, a cervical cancer screening test that’s now routine but was once anything but.
Routine screening tests for women as they enter
midlife and beyond
Here’s a look at routine screening tests that are recommended for women as they enter into midlife and beyond. Keep in mind that the recommended screening schedules are for women at average risk. If you’re at increased risk of a particular condition or cannot comply with the recommended testing schedule, your health care provider will work with you to come up with a screening schedule that’s appropriate for you.