Dr. Gwen's Women's Health Podcasts

Women's reports of persistent, recent-onset symptoms linked to ovarian cancer (abdominal or pelvic pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, abdominal bloating) when combined with the CA125 blood test may improve early detection of ovarian cancer. Individuals participating in a clinical trial hope to benefit personally from the research but also understand they are contributing to society.

The first article reviewed is related to differences between the way men and women metabolize fructose (common sweetener used in drinks and food). The second report looks at how cosmetics and plastics may increase breast cancer risk. New Cornell videos on reducing breast-cancer risk are available at: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/research/endocrine/videos/ They suggest: * Avoiding cosmetics and personal-care products with parabens, placenta extracts and benzophenomes or other ultraviolet screens that are estrogen mimics. * Avoiding hard-plastic sports bottles that have been scratched or heated (including those left in hot cars or on the beach), because heat and wear and tear can cause estrogenic chemicals to leach out from the plastic into beverages. * Using stainless-steel containers instead. * Never microwaving food or liquids in plastic containers. * Recycling cell phones and other electronic devices and rechargeable batteries to keep estrogenic heavy metals from leaching into the environment. * Using biodegradable detergents that use plant- or vegetable-based surfactants, since these types of ingredients don't form estrogenic chemicals that can contaminate the environment.

1) Women's systolic B/P increases with menopause. Recommendations are provided to help reduce B/P that include: a) exercise, b) healthy eating, c) reduction of dietary sodium, d) limiting alcohol intake, and e) healthy weight. 2) As testosterone progressively dominates the hormonal environment during menopause, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease. 3) In addition to limiting calories, overweight and obese women may need to exercise 55 minutes/day for 5 days/week to sustain a weight loss of 10% over two years.

Women with waists of 35 inches of greater have a 79% higher chance of premature death compared with women 28 inches or less. Also reported is the lack of prevention awareness and strategies to reduce risks of breast cancer starting in children through adulthood.

Women with breast cancer have more aggressive disease and lower survival rates if they are overweight or obese. Also discussed are differences between men and women's eating habits.

Dr. Gwen discusses the new report that strokes are increasing for middle-aged women. This is most likely due to an increase in obesity and abdominal circumference. Also discussed are the sex differences in the brain's serotonin system.

What you eat has a huge impact on your heart health. It is important to read food labels before putting in your grocery cart. This podcast reviews a report that has tips from a nutrition expert on what to look for on food packages to ensure you are buying heart-healthy items.

Stop eating french fries and potato chips! This study reports a positive association between a diet high in acrylamide and breast cancer. The second study reports on the lack of pharmaceutical drug trials on pregnant women with the authors noting this as a "drug drought" leaving health issues under-researched.

Happy New Year! The first podcast of 2008 focused on brain response differences found in the way women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) anticipate and react to pain. Also explored is the effects of walking in reduction of anxiety, stress, and depression related to menopause.