Women’s health is a complex topic to discuss, but conversations need to happen. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to shine a light on how women’s health education is continuously put on the backburner. Whether it’s about breast cancer, menstruation, fertility or menopause, women deserve to feel comfortable in their own skin. When these topics are shut behind closed doors, it leaves women without answers. Instead of ignoring women and their health, it’s time to start having conversations so that barriers are broken.
Did you know that 310,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer just this year alone? More than 42,000 women are expected to die due to their diagnosis. October is all about spotlighting women and their journey’s so that education can be more accessible, and other women can feel like they have a community.
Women’s health is a vulnerable topic in general, but it’s important to give women the space to share their stories. Because women’s health as a whole is so stigmatized, it can be hard for women to talk about what they are going through, but that’s why this month was created. Bringing awareness can create a sense of community and belonging, especially through some of the hardest moments.
“This October is all about giving women a voice and highlighting the importance of women’s health education. We need to be having open conversations about every aspect of women’s health so that the healthcare space can invest more resources into it,” says Proov CEO Amy Beckley.
Women’s health is put on the backburner more often than not. Studies show that some women are being gaslit by their doctors and in turn, their health is not taken seriously. No matter what health issue women are having, there is no reason their concerns should be dismissed. When it comes to breast cancer and other sexual health issues, women need to be looked at with care and compassion, because their lives truly do depend on it.
That’s why October is so important. It’s a time for people everywhere to highlight how women’s health deserves more attention on all fronts. The healthcare industry needs to innovate and invest in education to provide the highest level of care to those suffering from breast cancer. Investing in women’s health is not a lost cause, in fact it can help save lives and hopefully reduce those breast cancer statistics by a lot. There can be no cure for breast cancer, if healthcare organizations and society as a whole do not take women’s health as seriously as possible.
“One of the biggest issues surrounding women’s health is a lack of education and research to treat issues properly. Women’s bodies go through so much during their lifetime, so we need to be proactive about innovating means for them to get care. The stigma surrounding women’s health creates a barrier for women to get the help they need. This month can help us chop down those obstacles one at a time, and inspire the industry to make women’s health a priority,” says Beckley.
Breast cancer has taken too many peoples’ lives for it to not be taken as seriously as possible. Women’s health in general also deserves this type of awareness, because at the end of the day it is healthcare. There should be no questions or stigma surrounding it. Investing in resources and education, and having open conversations and all things women’s health can create real change.
Perhaps this month, people can start by talking about breast cancer awareness, and then maybe it will transfer to women’s fertility and menopause. If people continue to ignore women’s health and add more barriers surrounding it, it’s only creating a risk for women everywhere. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but what else can society bring awareness to?
