Overdiagnosis

• In the 1980s, companies co-opted messaging about female autonomy to encourage women’s consumption of unhealthy commodities, such as tobacco and alcohol.
• Today, feminist narratives around empowerment and women’s rights are being co-opted to market interventions that are not backed by evidence across many areas of women’s health.
• Some of these health technologies, tests and treatments are useful in certain situations and can be very beneficial to some women.

The AMH test

• The AMH test is a blood test associated with the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries and is sometimes referred to as the “egg timer” test.
• Although often used in fertility treatment, the AMH test cannot reliably predict the likelihood of pregnancy, timing to pregnancy or specific age of menopause.

• Despite this, several fertility clinics and online companies market the AMH test to women not even trying to get pregnant.
• Some use feminist rhetoric promising empowerment, selling the test as a way to gain personalised insights into your fertility.
• 'Egg timer' tests can't reliably predict your chance of conceiving or menopause timing

  Our recent study found around 30% of women having an AMH test in Australia may be having it for these reasons.

Breast density notification

Breast density is one of several independent risk factors for breast cancer. It’s also harder to see cancer on a mammogram image of breasts with high amounts of dense tissue than breasts with a greater proportion of fatty tissue. While estimates vary, approximately 25–50% of women in the breast screening population have dense breasts.

• Stemming from valid concerns about the increased risk of cancer, advocacy efforts have used feminist language around women’s right to know such as “women need to know the truth” and “women can handle the truth” to argue for widespread breast density notification.
• Yet, there is no or little mention of the lack of robust evidence showing that it prevents breast cancer deaths.
• While stronger patient autonomy is vital, campaigning for breast density notification without stating the limitations or unclear evidence of benefit may go against the empowerment being sought.

Ensuring feminism isn’t hijacked

• But we need to ensure the goals of feminist health advocacy aren’t undermined through commercially driven use of feminist language pushing care that isn’t based on evidence.
• Health professionals and governments must also ensure that easily understood, balanced information based on high quality scientific evidence is available.

Brooke Nickel receives fellowship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). She is on the Scientific Committee of the Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference. Tessa Copp receives fellowship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). She is also on the Scientific Committee of the Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference.

• This strategic move reinforces Pearsanta’s dedication to enhancing patient outcomes through early disease detection and the power of precision diagnostics.
• The platform includes a rich biomarker portfolio addressing a wide range of high-priority health concerns beyond oncology, extending into areas of substantial medical need.
• Highlights from the asset portfolio include:
  The Mitomic Endometriosis Test (MET™) is in development as a blood-based assay for diagnosis of endometriosis.
• The overarching goal is to enhance clinical outcomes by offering non-invasive or minimally invasive testing at the early stages of disease progression.

• Cleveland Diagnostics, Inc. , a leading commercial-stage biotechnology company, is launching its inaugural Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign this September: ‘ A PSA on PSA.
• For every fact sheet download, Cleveland Diagnostics will make a donation to ZERO Prostate Cancer to fund research and other important support initiatives.
• During the month of September, donations will be doubled by Golf Fights Cancer in celebration of the awareness month.
• "By collaborating with Cleveland Diagnostics on the 'A PSA on PSA' campaign, we are empowering men to take charge of their prostate health.

• And public health messaging around when and how to be screened for skin cancer has become somewhat confusing.
• In April 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent national panel of science experts, provided updated recommendations on skin cancer screening following a systematic review of existing research.
• The task force concluded that the evidence does not support annual widespread skin screening of adolescents and adults, but that catching cancers at the earliest stages reduces the risk of death from skin cancer.

How common is skin cancer in the US?

• Skin cancer affects about 6 million Americans yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – collectively known as keratinocyte cancers – account for more than 97% of skin cancer cases, but invasive melanomas cause the most deaths.
• Unlike normal cells, skin cancer cells grow without constraints, acquiring the ability to invade down into the dermis.

What are the main causes of skin cancer?

• Both light- and dark-skinned people can get skin cancer, but light-skinned individuals have a greater risk.
• Those with light skin, light or red hair, or with numerous moles, are more susceptible to skin damage and severe burns by ultraviolet rays.
• People who use tanning beds are at a higher risk of skin damage and skin cancers.

What is the debate behind screening?

• The ongoing debate revolves around whether more screening reduces the death toll from melanoma.
• This increase may be due in part to more emphasis on early detection.
• More melanomas have been found, particularly those identified at the earliest stage, also known as stage 0 or melanoma in situ.

What did the task force base its new recommendations on?

• The task force reviewed current and past data on the major types of skin cancers.
• The expert panel relied in part on the results of a large public skin cancer screening program in Germany.

When should you get a skin exam?

• Luckily, there are many online guides on detecting suspicious skin lesions.
• Whenever you have a concern about a spot on your skin, seek medical advice.
• This includes those who are older or susceptible to getting skin cancers, skin cancer survivors and immunocompromised people like organ transplant recipients.
• In response, nonprofits like the American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation and The Sun Bus provide resources for free exams.

How can you minimize the risk of skin cancer?

Strategies that limit UV exposure will reduce skin cancer risk. This includes avoiding sunburns by:
• Apply these products 15-20 minutes before heading out into the sun and reapply every two hours.
• UV light is most intense between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• These measures can keep your skin healthy into your golden years by reducing skin aging and cancer caused by ultraviolet light.
• Neil Box receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association.