avant now // innovation for impact’s Post

My Whole Body Turned Purple—and No One Knew Why. 😱😱😱 Imagine going to 40, maybe 50 doctors, and still having no answers. That was my reality. I was juggling everything—going up for partnership, navigating a divorce, and grieving the loss of my aunt. Stress hit hard, and my body literally turned purple. But none of the specialists could diagnose me. Not one. Despite running every test imaginable, they couldn’t tell me why my hair was falling out, why my skin had turned purple. It turns out, it took a homeopathic doctor in India, Dr. A Banerjhee, ( amazing man ❤️) to figure out my white blood cells were attacking my skin. The diagnosis? Lichen planus. I remember channeling my inner Samantha from Sex and the City, marching into the office of one of the top specialists in London, Dr. Straughton. I sat there and refused to move until he agreed to see me. It was a turning point—I built the best relationship with that doctor, and he treated me for 12 years. But my journey did not end there. Here’s the reality: ↳Autoimmune diseases affect 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, and women are disproportionately affected, making up about 80% of all autoimmune cases. ↳Women wait 𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 than men for a diagnosis of the same disease. ↳People with autoimmune diseases have up to a 𝟒𝟎% 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫. ⛔️ 40% higher risk -> I was one of those statistics. Did you know that women with autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop certain cancers? I didn't, but I certainly do now. I developed cancer that I have now beaten twice. 💪🏻 That's why I'm building Goddess Gaia Ventures—because my personal experience with the healthcare system was found lacking. I want better for those who come next, for my son, and for everyone’s sons and daughters. It’s also why we invest in companies like Predicta Med An Israeli platform built by fabulous founders Shlomit Steinberg-Koch and Benny (Benjamin) G. that identifies patients at risk for autoimmune disease and provides actionable insights for optimal intervention. They are also supported by Google for Startups comprehensive AI and growth strategy program to empower them to lead the market. 🚀 #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #FemTech #DiversityInVC #InvestInWomen #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #GoddessGaiaVentures #GGV Women's Health Innovation Series, FemTech Lab, Femtech Insider, Female Founders Fund, Cancer Research UK (CRUK), American Cancer Society, Autoimmune Association Credit: Sex and The City, HBO

Great article published by the World Economic Forum on how companies can drive better business and health outcomes by supporting employees working with cancer. We agree and can help companies do this. https://lnkd.in/e56NJKz2

Navigating a cancer diagnosis while managing work and family responsibilities is incredibly challenging. According to the World Economic Forum, integrating technology with supportive care can significantly enhance the quality of life for working individuals battling cancer. At Cleo, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for cancer patients and their caregivers. Our platform offers personalized guidance, clinical education, symptom monitoring, and emotional wellness support, ensuring that employees and their families receive the care they need at every stage of their cancer journey. By leveraging data-driven insights, Cleo helps reduce stress and improve productivity, allowing employees to focus on their health and well-being. Discover how Cleo can make a difference for your team. https://lnkd.in/dDkww5Dc #CancerCare #EmployeeWellBeing #DigitalHealth #CaregiverSupport #WorkLifeBalance #Cleo

I never imagined my diagnosis could invite days like this: And yet these are the days that inspire the most trust that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. Doing work that feels fully aligned with a deeper calling. Story sharing. Patient advocacy. Health equity. To combine my media background, exec skills, and patient insights for good. To recognize all the privilege I've found and help those who consistently lack it. And, alongside all that, to also help myself, in moments I need, to trust I can make a difference. To help me find meaning in a path not chosen, yet nonetheless mine. Last week brought one of the most incredible days. A full day of filming, alongside my family, for what will be a couple of documentary-style videos to support others navigating metastatic breast cancer. While I'll share the videos once they're ready, for now, for today, this post is about believing. Believing what I never imagined when first diagnosed: - Our toughest journeys can bring multiple bright lights - Leaning into meaning is a choice we can gift ourselves - Finding opportunities within obstacles builds resilience What would you add to this list? Photo: This was taken before we actually began and I'm so glad as it captures the feeling and energy; the aliveness and vitality; the promise and potential. #healthcare #healthequity #inspiration #growth  

Hey LinkedIn community, I need your help! This #FemaleHealthFriday, I’m thinking a lot about #sexualhealth and #pelvicpain in people with #cancer. 😩 70% of #female #cancersurvivors report that they experience pain with penetrative sex (Pettigrew, et al., 2021). 😳 70%. And that’s just the people are willing to talk about this often awkward and embarrassing symptom — many more likely stay silent. 👩🏻⚕️ Up to 90% of female and AFAB* survivors remain sexually active after cancer treatment (Nowosieleski & Palka, 2023). Unfortunately, few have resources to help them address #painfulsex. At Cervu Health, we’re working to change this paradigm by developing a novel #medicaldevice to help patients manage cancer-related pelvic symptoms. As Chief Clinical Officer at Cervu, I’m tasked with recruiting participants for our #research study: we’re looking to speak with people who have had cancer and/or cancer treatment that resulted in pelvic pain conditions, including painful sex. I’m working to connect with #patientadvocacy and support groups who’d be willing to share our research with their members who may want to participate in the study. If you have groups like these in your network, please share your recommendations! Together, we can build a future in which people don’t just survive cancer — they thrive in remission. #cancersurvivorship #medicalresearch #userexperience #UX #femtech #startup #clinicalconsultant #dyspareunia #cancercare

Design by women, for women. Finally. For way too long, women’s health has been shaped by what’s convenient for others, not what truly works for us. Ever thought about how the typical birthing position isn’t even natural? Standing or squatting makes more sense for us, but lying down? That’s all about physician convenience. It’s time we rethink who we’re actually designing for. Teal Health really listened. They listened to stories about why so many women avoid pelvic exams—the discomfort, the vulnerability, the “I’m-too-busy” factor. And they came up with something better: the Teal Wand™. It’s an at-home cervical cancer screening device, and their study found 94% of women would rather self-collect at home if it’s as effective as the in-office exam. Oh, and 93% found it easy or very easy to use. Seems like a no brainer to me. Have you ever noticed how the best innovations seem so obvious once they are created?? Thank you, TealHealth, for listening to us and designing for us. #designmatters #storiesmatter #designforwomen #likeagirl

A pioneering initiative, Discovering Hands by NAB Centre for Women, is training blind women as Medical Tactile Examiners (MTEs) to detect early signs of breast cancer through their heightened sense of touch. Unlike standard exams, MTEs spend about an hour with each patient, enabling them to identify even the smallest lumps. The program has already screened over 120,000 women in Europe and 5,000+ in India. Breast cancer screening in India remains scarce, with less than 2% of women participating in screening programs. Discovering Hands aims to change that by improving early detection and survival rates. MTEs have proven to be 30% more effective than doctors in detecting tissue changes, often identifying lumps before they appear on imaging scans. This initiative not only addresses the shortage of healthcare professionals in developing countries but also empowers visually impaired women by providing meaningful employment. Additionally, it helps combat cultural stigmas, as many women feel more at ease being examined by blind MTEs. These trained women are playing a vital role in improving early detection in India, where breast cancer tends to affect women at a younger age (45-49) than in Western countries, and where late diagnoses often lead to lower survival rates. Source: NPR Shalini Khanna #Blind #BreastCancer #DisabledWomen #WomensHealth #Disabled #DisabilityEmployment #DisabilityInclusion #MuchMuchSpectrum #GoodNews #IndiaNews #IndianWomen #HealthcareWorkers #HealthcareHeroes

A Mother's Legacy, A Daughter's Quest, A Community's Triumph Meet Amna, a 28-year-old Pakistani entrepreneur inspired by her mother's tragic passing due to breast cancer. => Tragic Wake-Up Call Amna's mother passed away due to delayed diagnosis and lack of access to quality healthcare. This broke her heart and then she made a big decision of her life. => A Daughter's Courage The courageous Amna quits her job to create a solution. For every women globally. => Innovation Born of Sorrow Amna launches "EdlryDeect" on Amazon - a revolutionary breast cancer screening kit for early detection. => Game-Changing Impact EdlryDeect empowers women to self-screen, reducing late-stage diagnoses. => Overcoming Obstacles Initial funding struggles, but Amna perseveres, securing grants and investors. => A Turning Point Collaboration with healthcare experts, influencers, and Amazon's community boosts visibility. => Triumph EdleryDeect saves lives, and Amna's platform provides affordable screenings and medical services. => Lessons Learned - Resilience in grief - Empowerment through innovation - Community impact => Celebrate Women in tech Healthcare innovation Social entrepreneurship Breast cancer awareness #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInTech #SocialEntrepreneurship #BreastCancerAwareness #Resilience #Empowerment #CommunityFirst #Motivation #Inspiration #BusinessWithAPurpose #HealthcareAccess #DigitalHealth #PakistaniEntrepreneurs Your comments and shares will inspire others!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the USA. This makes the recent annoucement on scanning earlier all the more critical. The US Preventive Services Task Force has revised mammogram guidelines, recommending screening from age 40 onwards (rather than 50), citing a concerning uptick in breast cancer among younger demographics. This aligns with other health organizations' suggestions and could lead to fewer discrepancies in screening recommendations. Research indicates starting at 40 could double life years gained and save additional lives, particularly benefiting Black women who face higher risks and mortality rates. However, there are trade-offs, including the potential for more false positives. Experts generally support earlier screening but differ on specifics, such as frequency and age thresholds. These recommendations target "average-risk" individuals and emphasize the importance of tailored healthcare decisions. Overall, the shift aims to improve early detection, reduce disparities, and save lives, marking a significant stride in women's healthcare. This makes the work of innovators like DeepLook Medical all the more important as they leverage the best aspects of #AI through their DL Precise™ software tool. The software offers groundbreaking shape-recognition that significantly improves accuracy and efficiency in medical imaging across image acquisition devices or modalities. Check out this episode of the #MedtechImpactPodcast with Kyle Kruse 🚀 and I to learn more about the DeepLook Medical mission from inspirational CEO and leader Marissa Fayer. https://lnkd.in/eWHRzFyP Image Credit: DeepLook Medical website #BreastCancer #BreastCancerScreening #WomensHealth #Medtech #KeepInnovating gregory belanger, Steven Schwadron, Kevin Crowley, Bethany Hills Grois, JD/MPH, Valerie Palmieri, Sonia Sahney, Matthew Stannard, Kimberly Baker, Lesley Bradshaw, Jeffrey Champagne, Rob Lewis, Anjali Malik, Diella Mrnaci, Sidney Ulreich M.D. FACR, Bruce Wolf, Serra Eken, Carol Sneider, David Swartz, Carrie Ivers Reeuwijk, Punita Khanna, Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Susan Wadia-Ells, Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, Ricki Fairley, Stephanie Graff, MD, FACP, FASCO, Victorianne Walton, Rajee Antony.

When we hear 'Breast Cancer' it is a shattering experience. #Awareness regarding breast cancer and ways of detecting it early are the key features for emphasis. Today along with awareness one extra step that the #theme, 'No One Should Face Breast Cancer alone' is support. Let's not just be passionate about raising awareness but be there for those around being diagnosed with Breast cancer. Support enables and empowers to face the situation courageously. #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #SupportToAll