Women have been told for decades that annual mammograms starting at age 40 are the gold standard—but is a one-size-fits-all approach really the best way to detect breast cancer?

In this episode, Dr. Polly Watson is joined by breast surgeon and researcher Dr. Laura Esserman to discuss the groundbreaking WISDOM Study and the future of personalized breast cancer screening. They explore how genetic testing, breast density, family history, and other individual risk factors can be used to tailor screening recommendations, helping identify women who need earlier or more intensive screening while reducing unnecessary imaging, false positives, and biopsies for those at lower risk. Learn why family history isn't the whole story, how comprehensive risk assessment could transform women's healthcare, and what you can do today to better understand your own breast cancer risk.

Quotes

• “Breast cancer isn't one disease. We don't treat it that way anymore. So why are we doing one-size-fits-all screening?” — Dr. Laura Esserman
• “Ninety percent of people who have breast cancer don't have a family history, so we still have to keep looking.” — Dr. Polly Watson
• “You want to do more for the people that need it and decrease the burden of screening for the people who are doing okay.” — Dr. Laura Esserman

Resources

Listen: The Future of Breast Cancer Screening: Insights from the WISDOM Study

Connect with Dr. Laura Esserman MD, MBA

The WISDOM Study: https://www.thewisdomstudy.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinwisdom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewisdomstudy.org/

New Patient: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/laura-esserman

Website: https://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/esserman.laura

Connect with Dr. Polly Watson MD, FACOG, MSCP, FMCP-M

Website: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast

Resources: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-resources

New Patient: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/new-patient-consultation

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hormonewellnessmd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hormonewellnessmd\

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Tw8oHGR_6wBZmXrTu9xA

Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-disclaimer

The ongoing estrogen patch shortage has left many women wondering what to do when their usual prescription simply isn’t available. In this episode of Menopause Rescue, Dr. Polly Watson walks through practical alternatives to the estradiol patch, including estradiol gel, Evamist, Femring, and other routes of estrogen therapy. She explains the pros and cons of each option, important differences between Femring and Estring, and why she remains cautious about oral, sublingual, and compounded injectable estrogen.

Dr. Watson also shares her own experience trying Femring and why it changed her mind about this systemic estrogen option. The goal: help women understand that even during the patch shortage, there are still several ways to access estrogen therapy and work with their healthcare provider to find an appropriate alternative.

Quotes

• “Women absolutely deserve to have access to hormone replacement therapy.” - Dr. Polly Watson
• “This is not just vanity. This is not just about not having a hot flash or having a bad mood or brain fog.” - Dr. Polly Watson
• “I like things that we can adapt and respond within a reasonable time frame if someone has an unexpected side effect.” - Dr. Polly Watson

Connect with Dr. Polly Watson

Website: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast

Resources: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-resources

New Patient: https://hormonewellnessmdacademy.teachable.com/p/are-we-a-good-fit-new-patient-welcome-course

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hormonewellnessmd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hormonewellnessmd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Tw8oHGR_6wBZmXrTu9xA

Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-disclaimer

In this episode, Kate Willis NP-C sits down with physical therapist Emily Gilmore to discuss why aches, pains, and injuries become more common in midlife—and what women can do to stay strong, mobile, and independent for decades to come. Together, they explore how hormonal changes, pregnancy, old injuries, muscle imbalances, and modern lifestyles contribute to joint pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.

Emily shares practical, evidence-informed strategies to prevent injuries, improve posture, build muscle, protect bone health, and maintain flexibility through perimenopause and menopause. From choosing the right strength training program to prioritizing mobility, recovery, and everyday movement, this conversation offers actionable tips to help you move with confidence and age well.

Quotes

• "The body can compensate for a really long time—until it doesn't. And when it doesn't, it gives you the middle finger and says, 'I'm really tired of this.'" — Emily Gilmore
• "There are a lot of things that happen in midlife that are directly related to hormones. Then there are some things that happen simply because we're more years old than we were 10 or 20 years ago." — Kate Willis NP-C
• "We've got to have that parasympathetic, rest-and-digest component if we're actually going to recover from exercise instead of becoming perpetually inflamed." — Emily Gilmore

Resources

Mid back mobility series

Postural tips

Neck strengthening

Rotation based core training

Hip and spine mobility flow

Evlo Fitness

Connect with Emily Gilmore

New Patient: https://www.thriveptal.com/new-patient-inquiry-form

Website: https://www.thriveptal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveptal/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveptal

Connect with Dr. Polly Watson and Kate Willis NP-C

Website: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast

Resources: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-resources

New Patient: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/new-patient-consultation

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hormonewellnessmd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hormonewellnessmd\

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Tw8oHGR_6wBZmXrTu9xA

Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast-disclaimer