Every Woman Deserves Better | Hope for the Future of Women’s Health
Dr. Wendy Levin, a medical oncologist and hematologist, breaks down the necessary changes that she’d like to see in women’s healthcare in order to shift the paradigm from reaction to active prevention.
Transcript:
Dr. Wendy Levin: I think there are really three things that I’d like to change in women’s health, and really be at the forefront of leading those changes. I think the first change is really a paradigm shift to active prevention. And so, I want to see this healthcare shift from a reactive model, which is what we typically see today in the clinic where we treat an advanced illness, to something that’s more proactive in terms of a model. And that’s centered around early detection and preventive tracking.
I think the second point here is really about equitable and clear communication for women. We have to break this down simply. We have to get away from this complex medical jargon, and really speak to where the people are and where they’re coming from in their lives. And so, there’s systematic healthcare information that should be broken down simply for all folks to understand.
Regardless of their insurance status or their socioeconomic status. And I think the third thing I’d like to address is this medical gaslighting phenomenon, for lack of a better word. So, I want to see a healthcare system and culture where women do not have to search in silence to understand their body. So, when a woman flags an interval symptom like a new lump or perhaps a tissue change, the medical system should listen. They should investigate. They should act immediately without hesitation. So, it’s really again, listening to women where they are, empowering them to speak, and to really shift towards active prevention.
