The Netherlands Cancer Institute’s Post

Hot off the press! Happy to share our latest publication co -authored with an amazing team: Jan Bornschein, Christine Norton and Wladzia Czuber-Dochan. ✨ “And don’t say everything will be normal!” – an international survey shedding light on one of the most overlooked aspects of stoma care: sexual wellbeing. Stoma formation can be life-saving, but this study shows it also brings profound and often unmet challenges for patients: 🔹 61% reported ongoing concerns around sexual wellbeing 🔹 68% received no information about how a stoma might impact intimacy 🔹 89% said they wanted this information as part of their care 🔹 Main concerns included body image, appliance-related challenges, relationship difficulties, and reduced confidence. What’s powerful about this work is the patient voice: the survey revealed not only the scale of unmet need, but also clear recommendations for practice — from routine conversations led by healthcare professionals, to diverse, inclusive information resources and peer support. 💡 "The findings emphasise the need for multifactorial, patient-­ centred inter- ventions to address this critical gap in support and improve holistic stoma care" A big thank you to the many patients who shared their experiences to make this research possible 🙏 . This is a call to action for clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to ensure stoma care addresses the whole person. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e9d7ceky #StomaCare #SexualWellbeing #PatientCentredCare #IBD #ColorectalSurgery #ColorectalCancer

💔 How Sexism in Medicine Still Endangers Women’s Health From being labeled “hysterical” to having heart attack symptoms called “atypical,” women’s health has long been sidelined, and the consequences remain deadly. At a recent Harvard Radcliffe Institute symposium, experts including Elizabeth Comen, MD (author of All in Her Head) called for a revolution in women’s healthcare that moves beyond “boobs and tubes,” expanding the focus from reproduction to the whole woman. 🔍 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Women’s pain and symptoms are still dismissed, from heart disease, to anxiety, and neurological issues. We need more research into conditions that affect women exclusively, disproportionately, or differently, like endometriosis, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. 🔹 Women’s pain should never be dismissed. Historical sexism in medicine continues to shape how doctors perceive and treat women. 🔹 Historical sexism in medicine continues to shape how doctors perceive and treat women. It’s past time to change that. 🔹 “We’re so evolved — but are we?” Comen asked, calling out how bias still drives diagnosis and care. 🔹 AI and new research tools could help close the gender gap by uncovering how diseases uniquely affect women. 🔹 Women now live longer — but spend more years in poor health than men, underscoring the urgent need for reform. It’s time to rebuild trust in medicine by believing women, funding research that includes them, and redefining what “women’s health” really means. #WomensHealth #SexismInMedicine #GenderBias #MedicalEquity https://lnkd.in/gqUQsUNz

POV: You just discovered pain research excludes women because "hormones complicate the data." So instead of studying how pain affects 51% of the population... They just studied men and assumed women are the same. That's why your pain is undertreated. That's why doctors don't believe you. That's why "standard" pain protocols don't work on your body. The NIH excluded female subjects from pain research for decades because menstrual cycles "made data messy." Let that sink in. They didn't want to deal with the complexity of women's biology—so they just... left us out. The result? → Pain medications designed for male bodies → Dosing protocols that don't account for hormonal fluctuations → Clinical guidelines that treat women as "small men" → Decades of women being told their pain is "psychological" Here's the truth: Your biology isn't messy. Their research methods are lazy. Your hormones aren't a complication—they're DATA. Critical data that's been ignored because it required more effort to understand. Until the 1990s, women were systematically excluded from pain studies because researchers claimed hormonal fluctuations would "complicate" their findings. Three decades later, women are still suffering the consequences: • Pain dismissed as anxiety • Medications that work differently (or not at all) on our bodies • Years spent searching for relief that was never designed for us This ends now. WombWatch AI launches November 1. We don't exclude women. We center you. Your pain patterns. Your hormonal cycles. Your unique biology. We're building the research that should have existed all along. Source: NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, 2023 report on sex differences in pain research Take our Health Archetype Quiz: https://lnkd.in/d_uAzUx7 📱 Follow us on TikTok for daily insights on healthcare bias and women's health equity. → https://lnkd.in/dwibHc2U 🚀 Join our waitlist to be the first to access our life-saving technology. → https://lnkd.in/dpcyJJJv #WombWatchAI #WomensHealth #HealthcareBias #PainResearch #MedicalResearch #GenderBiasInMedicine #ChronicPain #HealthEquity #FemTech #PrecisionMedicine

When you think of #WomensHealth, what comes to mind? If you said breast cancer or cardiovascular disease, you would be correct. But there are some lesser studied and very disruptive disorders that affect women disproportionately to men, and may be first diagnosed by a dental professional. For instance, Sjögren’s Syndrome, which causes dry mouth and eyes, often emerges during perimenopause, suggesting that hormonal fluctuations may influence its onset and progression. It is 9 times more common in women than men. Another set of disorders, collectively called Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are also significantly more common in women, with hormonal fluctuations during adolescence, childbearing years, and menopause playing a key role in their development. The influence of hormones like estrogen and relaxin on pain sensitivity, joint structure, and inflammation is central to this gender disparity. The underdiagnosis of TMD and Sjögren's syndrome is part of a broader "gender health gap" in which women's pain and symptoms are frequently downplayed or attributed to psychological factors like anxiety. This is exacerbated by: • Different symptom presentation: Many diseases manifest differently in women than in men. As a result, symptoms may not align with the standard presentations learned in medical training. • Lack of research: Women have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials and medical research, leading to gaps in knowledge about their specific health issues. • Medical gender bias: Systemic biases can cause healthcare providers to dismiss women's reported symptoms as psychosomatic or exaggerated. These disorders highlight the need for dentists and physicians to work in an interdisciplinary manner to perform comprehensive physical exams, along with necessary imaging and tests for proper diagnosis and care. Women deserve to be heard, believed, and treated in a timely manner. #WomensHealth #InterdisciplinaryCare #ResearchGaps #MedicalGenderBias #MedicalDentalIntegration #DiagnosisandTreatment

💔 How Sexism in Medicine Still Endangers Women’s Health From being labeled “hysterical” to having heart attack symptoms called “atypical,” women’s health has long been sidelined, and the consequences remain deadly. At a recent Harvard Radcliffe Institute symposium, experts including Elizabeth Comen, MD (author of All in Her Head) called for a revolution in women’s healthcare that moves beyond “boobs and tubes,” expanding the focus from reproduction to the whole woman. 🔍 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Women’s pain and symptoms are still dismissed, from heart disease, to anxiety, and neurological issues. We need more research into conditions that affect women exclusively, disproportionately, or differently, like endometriosis, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. 🔹 Women’s pain should never be dismissed. Historical sexism in medicine continues to shape how doctors perceive and treat women. 🔹 Historical sexism in medicine continues to shape how doctors perceive and treat women. It’s past time to change that. 🔹 “We’re so evolved — but are we?” Comen asked, calling out how bias still drives diagnosis and care. 🔹 AI and new research tools could help close the gender gap by uncovering how diseases uniquely affect women. 🔹 Women now live longer — but spend more years in poor health than men, underscoring the urgent need for reform. It’s time to rebuild trust in medicine by believing women, funding research that includes them, and redefining what “women’s health” really means. #WomensHealth #SexismInMedicine #GenderBias #MedicalEquity https://lnkd.in/gWDmqdaZ

Impact of Escitalopram on Impulsivity and Inattention in Women with PMDD #PMDD #Escitalopram #MentalHealth #WomensHealth #MoodDisorders https://lnkd.in/gepK_7x9 Understanding the Study Results This study looked at how intermittent treatment with escitalopram, a medication often used for depression, can help women who experience severe mood changes before their period, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The main goal was to see if this treatment could reduce impulsivity and inattention during this time. What Worked? Reduced Irritability and Anger: Women taking escitalopram reported feeling less irritable and angry during the luteal phase (the time before their period). Improved Focus: When on escitalopram, participants showed better focus and slower, more consistent responses in a test designed to measure attention and impulsivity. What Didn’t Work? While escitalopram helped with mood and focus, it’s unclear how it affects all aspects of impulsivity. How This Helps Patients and Clinics This research suggests that escitalopram can be an effective treatment for women struggling with PMDD symptoms, especially irritability and attention issues. Here’s how clinics and doctors can use this information: Real-World Opportunities Doctors can consider prescribing escitalopram for women diagnosed with PMDD to help manage symptoms. Clinics can conduct regular assessments of mood and focus in patients undergoing treatment. Measurable Outcomes to Track Changes in self-reported mood (irritability and anger levels). Performance on attention tests before and after starting treatment. Overall satisfaction with treatment from patients. AI Tools to Consider AI tools can help track patient mood and attention levels through apps, making it easier for doctors to monitor progress. Step-by-Step Plan for Clinics Start Small: Begin by identifying patients with PMDD who may benefit from escitalopram. Monitor Symptoms: Use simple questionnaires to assess mood and attention regularly. Evaluate Treatment: After a few months, review the effectiveness of escitalopram for each patient. Adjust as Needed: Based on patient feedback and test results, adjust treatment plans accordingly. Expand Use: If successful, consider integrating this treatment approach for more patients with similar symptoms. For more detailed information on this study, you can visit the research link: Research Article. Source Smart Healthcare #PMDD #Escitalopram #MentalHealth #WomensHealth #MoodDisorders

💡 Breaking new ground in healthcare innovation! A team of researchers in China has developed the Infertility-QoL instrument, an innovative tool designed to assess and improve the health-related quality of life for infertility patients. This comprehensive measure addresses six vital dimensions: physical health, sexual life, emotional status, self-efficacy, subjective wellbeing, and social relations. 🔍 Developed through a meticulous four-phase process—combining systematic reviews, interviews, cognitive testing, and psychometric analyses—this tool refines an initial 73-item list to a focused set of 25 impactful indicators. 🎯 With advisory committee insights and thematic seminars guiding its creation, the instrument offers culturally sensitive, reliable evaluations tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by infertility patients in China. Healthcare professionals and policymakers can now leverage this breakthrough to design personalized interventions, enhance support systems, and ultimately empower patients towards a more fulfilling life. This advancement exemplifies how targeted, patient-centered tools can transform healthcare outcomes and wellbeing on both individual and societal levels. #ChinaHealthcare #HealthEconomics #HealthTech #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareProfessionals #InfertilitySupport #MedicalResearch #PatientCare #Publications #QualityOfLife #RegulatoryAgencies #Wellbeing #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

🎬 Sex and Gender Matter-Especially in Alzheimer’s Disease! Did you know that women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's, making up about two-thirds of all cases worldwide? 🌎 This isn't just due to women living longer. Biological, genetic, and social factors also play significant roles. 📊 Important facts ➡️ Biological factors: Hormonal changes, especially declining estrogen levels after menopause, may significantly impact women’s brain health. Genetic differences, might influence Alzheimer’s differently in women compared to men. ➡️ Social & cognitive factors: Differences in brain structure, cognitive reserve, and social roles could further explain why women face a higher risk. 💡Why does this matter? Understanding these gender differences is crucial to: Improve early diagnosis-symptoms can appear differently in women. Develop targeted, gender-specific prevention strategies. Ensure equitable care, recognizing that women often bear the dual burden as patients and caregivers. ✅ Let’s act now! We urgently need gender-specific research and healthcare solutions for Alzheimer’s disease. Personalized approaches are not just better—they're essential. #EQUALCAREnow #EQUALCARE #AlzheimersDisease #Dementia #GenderMedicine #BrainHealth #HealthEquity #WomensBrainFoundation 📚 References Snyder, H.M. et al. (2016). Sex biology contributions to vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease: A think tank convened by the Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative. Alzheimer's & Dementia. │ Alzheimer's Association (2023). 2023 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. │ Mielke, M.M. (2018). Sex and gender differences in Alzheimer's disease dementia. Psychiatr Clin North Am. │ WHO (2021). Dementia Fact Sheet.

PCOS is common, yet it remains underdiagnosed – and underdiscussed.  A new paper from the Apple Women's Health Study unpacks patterns in underdiagnosis and lifestyle factors in a large-scale cohort consisting of participants across the United States. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ezX7mM4b PCOS Awareness Association Androgen Excess & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society American Society for Reproductive Medicine - ASRM

🚨👀 How many COMPLETED clinical trials or large cohort studies were analyzed by sex? How many, if they had been, would have come do different conclusions for men and women? (like the REBOOT trial or the drug for Alzheimer's?) 🚨 👀How many ON-GOING clinical trials or large cohort studies are powered to report sex-specfic analyses? How many will come to incomplete or erroneous conclusions because this was not done? 🔥 It is not that there cannot be more informed, more impactful research. It is just that sex-specific analyses have not been mandated in clinical research nor have there been sufficient funding to do so. 🚨🚨 New Funding Opportunity: XXcelerate: Turning Existing Research Into Impact for Women🚨🚨 ➡️ XXcelerate is committed to ensuring that clinical research findings are valid, rigorous, and relevant for women. Too often, exposures, interventions, diagnostics, and treatments are studied without adequate attention to sex-specific biology—leaving critical gaps in evidence for half the population. 💲 Two primary funding mechanisms: 1️⃣ Re-analysis of Completed Clinical Research Studies 🟡 Apply sex-specific methods to existing RCTs, pragmatic trials or cohort studies 🟡 Special consideration for projects integrating female-specific biology (e.g., menstrual cycles, reproductive history, menopause timing, hormone use) 🟡 Any field of study is of interest if outcomes impact women 2️⃣ Support of Ongoing Clinical Research Studies 🟡 Enhance active trials by incorporating rigorous sex-specific analyses 🟡 Options include expanding female recruitment, additional biospecimen testing and/or new analytical strategies 🟡 Designed to evaluate outcomes, exposures and interventions in female populations ✨✨ By funding these efforts, XXcelerate will accelerate evidence that improves women’s health outcomes across disciplines. 📢 We invite proposals from investigators across all disciplines  to leverage completed or on-going clinical studies to optimally impact  women’s health. 👉 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eT7eFZe4 ✔️ Follow Nuttall Women's Health for more funding annoucements #WomensHealth #ClinicalResearch #FundingOpportunity #XXcelerate #ClinicalTrials #Interventions #Cardiology #Metabolism #Interventions #Alzheimers #Biomarkers #RCT #Cohort