“Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women. But, when women go to the emergency room with symptoms of a heart attack, they typically wait 10 to 15 minutes longer than their male counterparts to be evaluated. Tell them you're afraid you're having a heart attack to get seen immediately.”

“Do monthly breast self-exams. When you know the landscape of your breast tissue, you’re more likely to catch things early when cancer is more treatable, and treatment will be less invasive.”

“The Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator is a great tool to determine your lifetime risk of breast cancer.”

“Breast tissue is categorized into four levels of density which affects mammogram accuracy. The four categories (A-D) are: almost entirely fatty, areas of fibroglandular density, heterogeneously dense, and extremely dense. Your mammogram report will tell you what category you are in.”

“Menopause is a turning point for bone health. Estrogen is a signaling molecule that our bones rely on. So, when estrogen walks out the door, bone health depreciates. Diet is important, and exercise like jumping and strength training sparks bone growth. Hormone therapy can also be effective in preventing osteoporosis.”

“Women’s immune systems are different. We mount stronger immune responses than our male counterparts. We have more antibodies, but also more autoantibodies. This could be one reason why autoimmune conditions happen more frequently in women.”

“Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in women. Colonoscopies can be more difficult in women because our colons are longer and windier, and if you’ve had a C-section or hysterectomy and C-section there is scar tissue which can complicate things further. Look at your poop regularly and note any changes.”

“The female brain grows more estrogen receptors after menopause to sop up any bit of estrogen our bodies are still making because it is so important for brain function. We are not talking enough about the role stress and cortisol plays in brain health.”

“You get to hire and fire doctors. Take charge of your health with preventative care. Conduct thorough research for quality practitioners, and make appointments in advance. Collect your data, have it ready to present, and be an engaged patient that will inspire a doctor.”

“Menopause is a crucial window of opportunity for preventing disease over 50. Get those screening tests on your calendar and maintain regular appointments.”

“To prepare for your medical appointments, know your personal and family medical history, listen to your body and collect the data. Have a list of medications and supplements (or take a photo), and prioritize your symptoms according to how much they are impacting your quality of life to have the most productive conversation with your practitioner.”

“Listen to your body. Get curious about what's happening and ask questions from your medical team. If you don’t feel respected and seen when you speak up, find somebody else who will listen with an open mind and heart, and work with you to find appropriate solutions.”