State of the Uterus is the title of our series of news covering gynecological care, fertility, birth, gender, and reproductive health. We think it’s important for us to put you on to news that centers female and gender expansive bodies. From abortion bans to PCOS research, we’re curating current news stories we think would be beneficial for your knowledge.
According to a recent survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, awareness of breast cancer signs falls short, with only 93% recognizing a lump as a potential indicator. Other crucial signs such as an inverted nipple, breast puckering, loss of feeling, skin thickening, and nipple discharge remain less recognized, with only 31% identifying an inverted nipple as a warning sign. This lack of knowledge is concerning as most breast cancers are not solely detectable through touch. Empowering individuals to understand their bodies and recognize changes is vital for timely detection, as breast cancer can manifest in various ways. Despite advancements in detection and treatment, breast cancer remains a significant concern, with an estimated 300,000 new cases and 43,000 deaths expected in 2023. Increased awareness can lead to earlier and more effective interventions.
What Black women should know about hair relaxers and their health
First Large Study of Hair Relaxers Among Black Women Finds Increased Risk of Uterine Cancer.
A new study by researchers at Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) has reported that long-term use of chemical hair relaxers by postmenopausal Black women was associated with increased risk of uterine cancer. Compared to women who never or rarely used hair relaxers, those who reported using hair relaxers more than twice a year or for more than five years had a greater than 50% increased risk of uterine cancer
A Nurse Shares How You Can Advocate For Yourself During Labor
Birth trauma can come from just not being listened to. It can come from not feeling prepared. It can come from not having things explained to you. It can come from having not the right people on your team, whether it’s health care providers or your own personal support team.
I want people to know — especially if they’re my patients — that we are there to advocate for them, to listen to them, to believe them, and we’re there to make sure that they feel safe and supported. And what’s happening in obstetricsright now — that isn’t always what people feel when they come. I also want them to know that they have choices in labor. I feel like that’s something that we don’t do well, and obstetrics either it’s kind of like, this is what we’re going to do, rather than this is what we recommend and why we recommend it, and these are the alternatives, and you make the choice for yourself. So, I think that knowing about autonomy in birth is so important.
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