science & MEDICINE

While AI has been around for decades, it feels like it has really taken off in just the last year or two. From planning a travel itinerary to perfecting emails, the possibilities are seemingly endless with AI. But with any new technology comes the power to use it for good and to abuse it. One area of concern for me and other health experts is AI’s role in healthcare…

Even when we’re feeling great and have no complaints, preventative care is how we maintain that wellness. Regular screening and checkups are critical throughout life, which is why healthcare reform works to remove obstacles like cost and access to this essential service…

In our interview with Angela Arnold Ross, MS, LCGC, Genetic Counselor, we dive deep into the world of inherited gene mutations and their impact on cancer risk. With her extensive experience and expertise, Angela provides valuable insights into genetic testing and counseling, available treatment options, and essential resources for patients and their families…

Every person assigned female at birth has their own natural vaginal odor. Your vagina contains billions of bacteria whose makeup changes daily. So, it's normal for your vagina's odor to change often. But if you notice that your odor is a little more potent than usual, bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be to blame…

We’re making improvements every day in the early detection and management of breast cancers, but what we really need is a way to prevent them from developing in the first place. Recent headlines have announced an imminent breast cancer vaccine. What does a breast cancer vaccine mean, exactly?

 According to the CDC, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to five times more likely to die of preventable, pregnancy-related issues than white women. Hypertension, blood clots, and other catastrophic medical issues are poorly identified and managed during pregnancy for these populations, with devastating results…

There are more than 100 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most are harmless, but some can lead to genital warts and cancer. But by getting routine pap smears and making sure you are vaccinated against HPV; you can significantly reduce your risk. Unfortunately, in recent years, the misinformation about HPV and the vaccine has increased thanks to social media, so it's important to distinguish truth from fiction. So here is what you need to know about HPV, how to prevent it, and whether the vaccine is right for you…

Recently, I had the privilege of talking to Dr. Denise Johnson-Miller, medical director of the breast program of El Camino Hospital in Northern California. As a leader in her field for more than thirty years, Dr. Johnson-Miller has practiced as a surgical oncologist, professor, and program director at many distinguished programs across the country including Rutgers and Stanford….

This interview will change the way you look at the products around your home. Meet Dr. Linda Kahn, one of the most important researchers on environmental exposures and women’s health working today…

My name is Sarah Zimmerman, PA-C and I am a freelance writer and Physician Assistant. I recently started working in a breast center, and The SEAM editors have kindly asked me to write a regular column on all things breast cancer… The fact is, breast cancer is very complicated, and it’s easy to feel lost in the myriad diagnoses, tests, and treatment options. So often, when we’re given a cancer diagnosis, all we hear are alarm bells going off in our heads, and the specific and foreign medical jargon is too much. I’m here to try to make it all clearer….

“I wish people understood the reality of long-haul COVID. It’s hard to fathom going from perfectly healthy to completely debilitated in a few short weeks or months, but it is happening all over the world. This is going to pose such a challenge to health care and economies for many years to come”…

Menopause expert, Dr. Amy Heeringa, wishes it were common practice to have a second version of “The Talk” when women hit their forties. We all know “The Talk” we get around fifth grade: blood, body hair, and birth control. But what about those changes later in life? Ideally all women would have a second “Talk” around the age of forty, says Heeringa. A candid seminar, if you will, on lube, libido, and love in later life….

There are so many myths and inaccuracies when it comes to contraception. Even though various methods are available and 72 million women in the United States use birth control, rumors about their safety and effectiveness persist. If you are hoping to delay pregnancy for a few more years or avoid it altogether, you should understand all of your choices. Unfortunately, this can be a little more than challenging when separating fact from fiction. So, let's set the record straight. Here are some common birth control myths and the truth behind them….

Dr. Brittany L. Siontis is a medical oncologist with a specialty interest in sarcomas. What are sarcomas? Sarcomas are a rare, insidious, and little-understood cancer that can affect adults and children alike. Often misdiagnosed, sarcomas can begin either in the bones or in the soft tissue. For that reason, they are very difficult to catch in their early stages. Dr Siontis currently serves as the Principal Investigator of several active clinical trials at Mayo Clinic through the Sarcoma Medical Oncology Group and works closely with the non-profit Rein in Sarcoma, a resource for patients and families touched by this disease….

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you go to the doctor with a specific complaint. They order blood work; everything comes back normal. The doctor sends you on your way. You’re relieved your results came back “normal,” but you don’t exactly feel “normal.” You still suspect something is off but don’t know where to turn….

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women. In fact, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. But, with early detection, women have a survival rate of 86 percent. So, get to know your breasts, and don't ignore any unusual changes.

Having a period is a fact for almost every person with a uterus. The reality is, you will spend about ten years or 3,500 days of your life bleeding! And even though you will devote roughly 40 years of your life to managing "that time of the month," you still may not have a real understanding of the ins and outs of your menstrual cycle…

As the coronavirus pandemic begins to dwindle in some (but not all) parts of the United States, we may see a rise in yet another epidemic: sexually transmitted infections. In fact, sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for several years now…

Most people haven’t heard of sarcoma. After all, sarcomas are rare, comprising less than 2% of all cancers in adults and accounting for about 16,000 new cases in 2019. Misdiagnoses of sarcomas, however, are extremely common…

Having vaginal discharge is common but seeing an unexpected color can be unsettling and have you wondering, "does this need to be checked out?" The good news is that vaginal discharge can present in many different colors and still be normal.…

As the Founder and Chairman of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), established in 2006, Audrey Gruss is helping to pioneer international scientific research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of depression and its related mood and emotional disorders…

On Tuesday, May 3rd, The Lynne Cohen Foundation hosted their very first live webinar q+a featuring LCF Clinic Patient, Playwright, Sophia Heinecke. Here, Sophia unpacks her experience at LCF’s preventive care clinic located at Bellevue Hospital as well as her work with the Creative Center at University Settlement, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the creative arts to people with cancer, chronic illnesses, and through all stages of life.

As take-home genetic testing services continue to take OFF, the need for genetic counselors like Johanna Schmidt is greater than ever. In this in-depth interview Amy Cohen Epstein sits down with Johanna to discuss this rapidly evolving landscape and why genetic counselors are crucial within it. ⁠

As the Director of the Office of Generic Drug Policy (OGDP) for the FDA (which includes the Division of Policy Development and the Division of Legal and Regulatory Support) Maryll W. Toufanian has her fingers on the pulse of pharmaceuticals and their development in the United States. We had the honor of sitting down with Maryll to discuss the state of the world and her experience at the FDA.

Quantgene is a fascinating company on the cutting edge of genetic research. They are a research group and startup dedicated to unlocking the Deep Human Genome by building and deploying the world’s leading Deep Genomics solution. The Quatgene team is working toward utilizing this technology to save lives through early detection and prevention….

Dr Julia Smith is an icon in the world of women’s cancer prevention and gynecologic oncology. Four decades ago, she was the first woman in the NYU MD PhD program, ever. Today, she is the Clinical Director of the Cancer Screening and Prevention Program at the NYU Isaac and Laura Perlmutter Cancer Institute. In this very special interview, Dr. Julia Smith discusses the shifting landscape of ovarian cancer prevention and the tremendous impact of genetic research in the field…

Dr. Lynda Roman is the busiest woman we know. Right now she serves as the Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Director of Research, and the Fellowship Program Director at USC. We are honored to have Dr. Roman share her brilliance with us in an exclusive interview delving into the state of the world and women's cancers…

With a growing number of providers now offering some form of telephone or video consult to meet the needs of the global pandemic, many patients are left with questions surrounding the use, cost and safety of telehealth visits…

In this monthly column, VitaLife MD’s Carley Cassity helps us navigate the most exciting research in health while offering science-backed guidance on key practices to help improve overall resilience…

Funded by a combination of grants, individual donations, and the proceeds from several annual fundraising events, Lynne Cohen Foundation clinics make a profound difference in women’s lives…