Cancer is a wake-up call. I answered it in the fall of 2018 when I received a shocking ovarian cancer diagnosis at the age of 45. I was stage 2a and had a successful debulking surgery and chemotherapy during the spring of 2019. Then I set about changing almost everything! I relocated from the East Coast to the Midwest to be closer to my friends and family. I began and ended a relationship, changed jobs and started Pilates and TRX classes. I finally redecorated my house, something that was long overdue. I took the bucket list trips I had always dreamed about. I even threw myself a month-long 50th birthday party on the shore of Lake Michigan.

And it wasn’t all Instagram-worthy moments. After cancer, I pushed past my fear of failure and started writing. I took classes to learn playwriting and performed at public storytelling events. I worked a 12-step program for Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families. I wanted to break patterns that dogged me since childhood.

You see, I’d seen the statistics. I did not like the term “progression-free survival” — I thought remission was still a thing. But I’d seen that the median was 18.4 months to live without cancer progressing after diagnosis. I’d had 1,800 days. I was a unicorn, and I was determined not to take a moment for granted. As they say, most people overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years. I was living my best life. I had slammed the phone down and hung up on cancer.

Annie, 2019

I sensed something was wrong in March 2024. I was determined not to miss the signs this time around. I noted a sort of phantom pain that came and went on my left side. Every time I walked past a mirror, I stopped to examine my midsection. The main blood test for a tumor marker associated with ovarian cancer is called CA125. I had been receiving a 4 or 5 (essentially undetectable) since initial treatment. I messaged my care team, telling them I was anxious and unable to shake the fear that I was missing early signs of bloat. In April, my CA125 was 7. I told myself to stop fixating. Surely cancer had misdialed.

I was cautiously optimistic going into my July blood draw. It was the weekend of a musical festival. Friends that I’d started taking those bucket list trips with had flown into town. Before the blood draw, I asked my medical team, What number should concern us? They said that so long as I stayed below 12, we wouldn’t sound the alarm. I got a 14. I was sure this was my last music festival.

Annie, at a music festival, 2024.

I was then scheduled for a CT scan. The results were totally inconclusive. My joy was short-lived. I understood what my nurse practitioner meant when she said, “Sometimes it takes a while for these things to develop.” I lived in this awkward state of “inconclusive” for a couple of months. Every conversation was difficult to navigate. How much should I share? Would I add unnecessary stress to their lives? Would their emotional response stress me out? When my number went down one point in September, I celebrated like I’d won the lottery. By December, my CA125 was 19. A second set of scans confirmed what I’d known for nine months — my cancer was back. Initial diagnosis felt like a kick in the butt, a nudge from the universe. Recurrence felt like a kick in the teeth. A sucker punch to the gut. An absolutely shattered heart and broken spirit.

It was a sort of miracle that I’d caught my own cancer recurrence so early. A sign of how much I’d grown since the last go around, when I missed glaring, blinking neon signs. One morning, before it was confirmed, but when my deep knowing was sure, I asked myself what I still regretted in my life. One item rose to the surface immediately: I had not made total peace with my body. I immediately got with my therapist, who referred me to a body image group. Over the course of many weeks, with the help of tools and support, I gradually shifted my feelings. I could not go into treatment at war with myself.

My amazing friends, family and coworkers once again rallied to support me. I had a laparoscopic surgery and then started another six-chemo regimen. It was so much harder the second time around. Was it age? Or a trauma response to having to endure icing during treatment (I really hate the icing!)? A slow realization was dawning — this is now a chronic condition. I was ashamed. I was being stripped of my unicorn title.

The optimism and faith I had in the first go-round simply were not there. I was dogged daily by existential grief. Even the smallest decisions were difficult. I’m extremely extroverted and usually most comfortable surrounded by people. But this time I felt like a wounded animal. I wanted to be alone and hide in my bed. I could not summon a positive frame of mind for my caregivers. I also struggled to receive their positive intentions.

Things got worse and worse through the first four treatments. Finally, in cycle five, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I had my last treatment the day after my 52nd birthday. I’d found some of my mojo. In a totally unexpected twist of fate, I had also met someone just before my December scans. She was also a cancer survivor, and she quite literally pulled me across the finish line.

Since completing treatment, I’m getting stronger and finding a new normal. I’m grateful to be on a PARP inhibitor, which I hope will extend my progression-free survival for a long time. (I’ve come around on this concept!) I am slowly seeing recurrence not as failure but as just a finer sieve that I’m once again shaking my life into. Cancer is clarifying. Only the most critical and meaningful things can get through. After recurrence, my relationship with cancer has changed. I’m unable to disconnect from it; we’re now in an ongoing dialogue. But I’m grateful that neither of us is spending much time these days talking about dying.

This educational resource was created with support from Merck.

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Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.

Image

Words

Woman sitting in doctor’s office, blowing her nose as doctor walks in to greet her

Doctor: Hi Rita, It’s nice to see you — but I’m sorry to hear your polyps have been bothering you again.

Rita and doctor talking

Rita: I’m sorry, too. I really thought the surgery to remove them would fix things, but now I’m having symptoms again. Could the polyps be coming back?

Doctor: Unfortunately, yes. Up to 8 out of 10 people who have surgery to remove nasal polyps get them again.

Rita, looking upset

Rita: Really?! Why?

Doctor talking

Doctor: It has to do with something called type 2 inflammation.

Rita: What’s that? Doctor: A healthy immune system sends out type 2 immune cells to fight infection and allergens with inflammation, which kick-starts healing.

But sometimes a person’s immune system sends out those cells when there’s nothing to fight, so they attack healthy cells instead.

Doctor talking and Rita listening

Rita: So it’s kind of like your immune system is overreacting?

Doctor talking while Rita has a thought bubble of herself mowing the lawn (show a grasshopper in the corner – not extremely obvious)

Doctor: Exactly.

Rita: Ok, so I understand why that would cause the polyps, but why does that make them come back?

Doctor: Good question! Treating nasal polyps is sort of like mowing the lawn. You can cut the grass, but it can keep growing back because it’s being fertilized.

With nasal polyps, type 2 inflammation is the fertilizer that keeps them coming back — even after surgery.

Rita, looking interested

Rita: That makes sense, but where does that leave me? Is there anything I can do to treat the polyps and keep them from coming back?

Doctor talking and Rita listening

Doctor: There’s no guarantee. But there are things you can do to ease your symptoms and lower your chances that they’ll recur.

Rita: What are they? At this point, I’ll do anything.

Doctor: Well, rinsing with saline helps flush out irritants and unblocks your nose. And steroids in pill, spray or injectable form can temporarily bring down swelling and shrink polyps.

Doctor talking

Doctor: But, unfortunately, these things won’t keep polyps from coming back because they don’t get to the root cause.

Doctor and Rita talking at the same time as each other

Doctor touches his nose. Rita laughing.

Doctor shows Rita something on her computer screen (text reads “Biologics and nasal polyps” or something like that)

Rita and Doctor: Inflammation!

Doctor: To keep this chronic inflammation at bay, you may need a medicine called a biologic that works through your whole body, not just your nose.

Biologics target different types of inflammation, including type 2.

Rita, looking hopeful as doctor smiles

Rita: So that might keep them from coming back?

Doctor: And the student becomes the teacher, grasshopper!

Rita is mowing the lawn and the grasshopper is smiling.

This resource was created with support from Sanofi and Regeneron.

Video/Image

Voiceover/Audio

Living with Nasal Polyps

How this invisible disease affects your quality of life

Sun comes up, a woman in bed sleeps while an alarm clock goes off on her bedside table

SUPER and ICONS:

Facial pain

Stuffy/runny nose

Loss of taste/smell

Headaches

Narrator: What’s it like to live with nasal polyps, an invisible disease that affects pretty much everything you do?

Nasal polyps are growths in the nose or sinuses. They cause symptoms like facial pain, stuffy or runny nose, loss of smell or taste, headaches that can be severe, and more.

She reaches over and hits snooze

SUPER and ICONS:

Restless sleep

Sleep apnea

Snoring

When you live with nasal polyps, your day may get off to a sleepy start.

Nasal polyps can block your nose and sinuses at night, making it hard to breathe and potentially leading to restless sleep, sleep apnea, snoring and other sleep problems.

Woman is jogging slowly through a park, stops to catch her breath

GRAPHIC:

Three woman icons with one shaded

Nasal polyps may make your morning workout more challenging.

One in three people with nasal polyps say the disease seriously limits their ability to exercise.

Woman pushing food around on plate

You may not enjoy your breakfast — or any meal — since nasal polyps can affect your ability to smell and taste food.

Woman sitting in bed, holding her head

If you’re not feeling well, you might miss work — which could affect your finances.

Woman sitting by the pool with a box of tissues while her family frolics and splashes in the water

Even fun things like a vacation are sometimes less-than-fun with nasal polyps.

Woman staring in the mirror with a tear rolling down her cheek

SUPER:

Inflammation causes recurrence

8 out 10 got polyps again after surgery

Nasal polyps don’t just affect your physical health. They can also take a toll on your mental health, especially since they often come back after certain treatments because of underlying inflammation.

One study found that polyps came back in 8 out of 10 people who had surgery to remove them.

Woman in a doctor’s office, smiling as doctor writes prescription

The good news? There are medications to treat nasal polyps and help prevent recurrence after surgery.

Talk to your healthcare provider about which treatments might be right for you.

For more information, please visit HealthyWomen.org

For more information, please visit HealthyWomen.org

This educational resource was created with support from Sanofi and Regeneron.

Many studies have been performed on various naturally occurring herbs and other compounds, demonstrating their ability to lower blood sugars.

While many of these compounds decrease the blood glucose level by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin, one particular herb, Goat’s Rue or French Lilac, chemically known as guianidine, is particularly effective in reducing the blood glucose level utilizing a different mechanism.

Galega officinalis

Galega officinalis has been known since the Middle Ages for relieving the symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Upon analysis, it turned out to contain guanidine, a substance that decreases blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance.

Chemical derivatives from the biguanide class of medication include metformin (Glucophage, commonly prescribed for diabetics) and the older, withdrawn agent phenformin.

This herb actually decreases the cellular resistance to insulin, allowing the cells to utilize the insulin more efficiently in metabolizing glucose. It also decreases the absorption of glucose from the small intestine. It reduces the formation of glucose in the liver, and it increases the uptake and utilization of glucose in the fat and muscle cells throughout the body. Non-insulin dependent diabetics are able to better maintain blood glucose levels closer to the normal range, while insulin dependent diabetics are often able to reduce their insulin dosage and more easily maintain stable levels of the blood glucose.

Ginseng

Ginseng refers to species within Panax, a genus of 11 species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, in the family Araliaceae. They grow in the Northern Hemisphere in eastern Asia (mostly northern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates.

Medical Use

Both American and Panax (Asian) ginseng rhizomes are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men. It appears that ginseng increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin, a hormone that sends the signal to cells to reduce blood sugar by taking up glucose. Ginseng may also increase the secretion of insulin.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study published in the September issue of Diabetes Care, researchers gave capsules of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) to diabetic subjects who were already receiving treatment for diabetes in the form of diet or prescription drugs. In their analysis, the researchers found that subjects receiving a 3g dose of ginseng had a blood sugar level that was 59.1% less than subjects who had received the placebo treatment.

Ginseng should be used therapeutically only with the advice of a trained health practitioner. Although subjects in the study did not report major side effects, ginseng can potentially augment the effect of prescription drugs used to lower blood sugar, causing a dangerous decrease in blood sugar. Adverse effects with concurrent use of oral anti-diabetic drugs, such as Warfarin, heparin, aspirin, and NSAIDS are another possibility.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. The two main varieties are Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Medical Use

American scientists have claimed that a teaspoon of cinnamon a day may help prevent the onset of diabetes. Scientists at the US Agricultural Research Services’ nutrition laboratories in Beltsville, Md., found that an extract of cinnamon can actually revitalize the body’s ability to be far more responsive to insulin in peripheral tissues, e.g. adipose and muscle tissue. In fact, in laboratory experiments, glucose processing was increased by up to 20 times. The chemical responsible is called methylhydroxy chalcone polymer. Experiments on mice found that abnormally high glucose concentrations fell dramatically when given this cinnamon derivative.

The results of another study from 2003 in Pakistan showed lower levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol after 40 days with levels continuing to drop for 20 days after that.

The study was made up of 60 people with Type 2 diabetes who were divided into 6 groups of 10. Three groups received cinnamon in the form of capsules totaling 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon a day. The other three groups received placebo capsules. The capsules were taken three times a day, after meals. All three levels of cinnamon showed results, leading researchers to believe that as little as 1 gram a day of cinnamon may benefit people who have Type 2.

Type II diabetics should take a quarter to one full teaspoon of cinnamon per day.

Cinnamon has long been known as an “energizing” spice, and it is likely that increasing the intake of this common and cheaply available food will benefit even non-diabetics, if used as a daily energizing tonic.

Cinnamon is also a rich source of magnesium, which is essential for maintaining bone density, electrolyte balance, certain enzyme functions and many other crucial biochemical processes. Magnesium is also linked to the more dramatic forms of diabetes that occur earlier in life.

Bitter Melon

Amla or Emblica Officinalis

It is a natural, efficacious, an antioxidant with the richest natural source ofVitamin C.

Medical Use

Amalaki is a carminative and stomachic. It is used in Ayurveda as a cardiotonic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, antidiabetic, cerebral and gastrointestinal tonic. It raises the total protein level and increases the body weight due to positive nitrogen balance. It has been found to have an anabolic effect.

Fresh amla juice of 10ml and 2 grams pure haldi (turmeric) powder well mixed and taken twice a day, effectively maintains the sugar level and imparts many side benefits like strength and vitality.

Besides, this herb, due to its high vitamin C content, is effective in controlling diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months. Will stimulates the pancreas and enable is to secrete insulin, thus reducing the blood sugar in the diabetes. Diet restrictions should be strictly observed while taking this medicine. It will also prevent eye complication in diabetes.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

It is a plant product that has been used for a variety of medicinal and other purposes, and may be used in the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek is a member of the Leguminosae, or Fabaceae, family and grows well in India, Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. The part used medicinally is the seeds.

Medical Use

Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloids, including trigonelline, gentianine and carpaine compounds. The seeds also contain fiber, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and fenugreekine, a component that may have hypoglycemic activity. The mechanism is thought to delay gastric emptying, slow carbohydrateabsorption and inhibit glucose transport.

Fenugreek may also increase the number of insulin receptors in red blood cells and improve glucose utilization in peripheral tissues, thus demonstrating potential anti-diabetes effects both in the pancreas and other sites. The amino acid 4- hydroxyisoleucine, contained in the seeds, may also directly stimulate insulin secretion.

There are only a few published studies on fenugreek. In one study, published in a 1990 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 10 patients on insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes were assigned to either placebo or 50 grams of defatted fenugreek-seed powder twice daily in addition to their insulin therapy.

Fasting glucose decreased from an average of 272 mg/dl at baseline to 196 mg/dl. There was also a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides.

A larger study, published in a 1996 issue of Nutrition Research, involved a six-month trial of fenugreek in 60 patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Twenty-five grams of powdered fenugreek seed was given twice daily at lunch and dinner in addition to the current diabetes therapy.

The average fasting glucose decreased from 151 mg/dl to 112 mg/dl after 6 months. Glucose values one and two hours after meals also declined. Average A1C decreased from 9.6% to 8.4% after eight weeks. To help your diabetes symptoms, try taking 2.5 g of fenugreek with your meals, a couple of times a day. This should help to control your blood sugar levels and increase your insulin production.

 Black Berry (kala jamun)

Botanically it is known as Polianthes tuberosa. It is a large tree 20 to 60 ft. high or sometimes more. The bark, fruits and seeds of the tree are medicinal. The bark is very astringent and is given in sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, ulcers and dysentery; it is also used for purifying blood. The fresh juice of the bark with goat’s milk is given in diarrhoea. The seeds are very useful diabetes. The fruit juice cures burning sensation of hands and feet. It subsides excessive heat in the body.

Medical Use

To control diabetes, 2-teaspoon powder of dry jambul fruits is taken twice a day or eating of fresh jumbul fruits is also recommended. Three to five grams of powdered seed with salt taken twice a day for a few days eliminates sugar.

A regular check should be kept on the blood sugar level, and if it settles in the normal range, no further treatment is needed.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

English

Tal como se relató a Erica Rimlinger

Solía asistir a celebraciones navideñas todos los años tostada y brillando con un bronceado nuevo. Broncearme era parte de mi rutina regular de belleza y me sentía incompleta si no lo hacía. Nunca pensé que cancelaría mi membresía en el salón de bronceado al que fui durante mucho tiempo, pero ese día llegó.

El formulario de cancelación solicitaba un motivo. Escribí con letras grandes: MELANOMA. Tenía 26 años, me habían diagnosticado recientemente una de las formas más mortales de cáncer de la piel y estaba furiosa conmigo por ignorar las advertencias en letras pequeñas del contrato. El empleado del salón miró mi formulario después de que lo contesté, dijo, “está bien, ya acabaste” y se fue.

Días antes, mi mamá me rogó que haga que examinen un lunar en mi pecho. Estaba preocupada porque a mi papá le diagnosticaron melanoma de etapa 0 el mes anterior. Pensé que el diagnóstico de mi papá le estaba dando paranoia. Solo cinco semanas después de cumplir 26 años, era mucho más joven que mi papá y mi lunar sospechoso se veía como el de él. El mío no era grande como el lunar de mi papá, pero tenía varios colores con bordes irregulares.

Ignoré a mi mamá diciendo “seguro, mamá”, pero su preocupación se fijó en mi cerebro. Usé Google para investigar y vi muchas fotos de lunares sospechosos. Finalmente pensé, está bien, no pierdo nada si hago que un dermatólogo examine mi piel.

Estaba poco preparada para la experiencia de pararme desnuda, de cabeza a pies, frente a un doctor que conocí apenas cinco segundos antes. Tengo muchos lunares y a medida que el doctor los inspeccionaba, me preguntaba sobre mi uso de camas de bronceado, mis antecedentes familiares de melanoma y mis hábitos en lo que se refiere al sol. Empecé a sentirme incómoda y me puse un poco a la defensiva. Vivo en Ohio donde no recibimos mucho sol y broncearse es un estándar de belleza. No ves a modelos que no estén bronceadas, ¿verdad? El doctor me preguntó si tenía algún lunar que me preocupase. Obstinadamente, dije no.

2019

Sin embargo, se acercó a ver el que le preocupó a mi mamá. No se veía como mis otros lunares. Lo extrajo para una biopsia y pensé, “maravilloso. Ya acabamos”. Había escuchado de personas a quienes les removían lunares precancerosos todo el tiempo. Eso no significaba que ocurría algo malo. Mi mamá estaría feliz de que hayan examinado mi piel y debo admitir que yo también me sentía un poco mejor.

El doctor dijo que tendría los resultados en tres a cinco días laborales, pero pasaron 10 días y no me dijo nada. Llamé al consultorio y pregunté si perdieron mi lunar. El equipo médico pidió disculpas y dijo que lo enviaron para pruebas adicionales. Ahí es cuando sentí la primera sensación negativa.

En el 14º día después de la biopsia, estaba en el auto con mi esposo cuando el consultorio del dermatólogo llamó con mis resultados. El tono sombrío de la voz de mi doctor anunció el melanoma antes de decirlo con palabras. Afortunadamente mi esposo estaba manejando. Tenía melanoma de etapa 1a que estaba a punto de convertirse en etapa 1b. Lo primero que pensé fue, “esto es peor que el caso de mi papá”. Luego pensé, “¿cómo podía ser peor que el de mi papá?”. El doctor recomendó una cirugía inmediata y una prueba de los ganglios linfáticos. Toda la llamada duró menos de 10 minutos, pero mi rostro estaba pálido y mi mundo también perdió su color.

Dos semanas después de esa llamada telefónica, fui al hospital por ocho horas. Nunca antes me habían anestesiado. El único procedimiento médico que había tenido hasta entonces era la remoción de mis muelas del juicio. Desperté después de la cirugía con dos incisiones grandes y mucha pena por la vida que ya no tenía. Me encantaba broncearme. Y eso estaba arraigado profundamente en mi imagen corporal. Además de la pena, también estaba enojada conmigo, con el sol e incluso con el hábito de mi papá de quemarse cuando cortaba el césped o cuando jugaba golf.

Quería correr, levantar pesas y acostarme bajo el sol nuevamente. Los primeros dos deseos tendrían que esperar hasta que sane y el tercero ya no era una opción para mí. Debía cambiar mi estilo de vida y cancelar mi membresía al salón de bronceado.

Deje de tener pena por eso después de un mes y medio. Comprendí que eso no servía de nada y que tenía la oportunidad de aprender, cambiar mis hábitos y dar gracias por mi segunda oportunidad. Pero hacía esto en silencio, sin decirlo casi a nadie debido a la vergüenza que sentía por mi diagnóstico.

2024

Durante los dos siguientes años después de mi cirugía, me sometí frecuentemente a evaluaciones de mi piel y perdí la cuenta de las biopsias que tuve. Sentía como si estuviesen rebanando mi cuerpo. El peso de la carga mental, emocional y física de sobrevivir, hizo que comprenda que necesitaba apoyo. Era hora de compartir mi historia.

En las redes sociales, encontré #melanoma y me sorprendió cuantas personas que tenían un poco más de 20 años compartían historias de sus melanomas. Tomé una foto de mis cicatrices, la publiqué, entré en pánico y lancé el teléfono al otro lado del cuarto.

La mofa, vergüenza y mensajes de “te lo dije” que esperaba nunca aparecieron, ni siquiera una vez. En vez de eso, mi comunidad me dio amor y apoyo y yo estaba muy agradecida. Una vez que empecé a interactuar con otros sobrevivientes de melanoma y consejeros, mi carga se desvaneció.

Me alegra haber buscado apoyo cuando lo hice. El melanoma de mi papá reapareció en su cerebro y pulmones. Después de 21 rondas de inmunoterapia, radiación de bisturí de rayos y y varios viajes a la sala de emergencias, las lesiones de mi papá empezaron a encogerse. Actualmente, mi papá todavía está aquí y su melanoma ha desaparecido casi por completo. Estamos tan agradecidos y esta experiencia ha hecho que nuestra familia esté mucho más unida.

Leah y su padre en su matrimonio, junio de 2025. (Foto/Aisley Herndon

Ahora acepto el hecho de haber amado el sol. En vez de culparme en silencio, digo lo que siento y concientizo a otras personas para que se cuiden del sol y para que se sometan a examinaciones de la piel. Soy voluntaria en la Melanoma Research Foundation [Fundación de investigación del melanoma] y estoy en el comité de líderes de la Melanoma Research Alliance [Alianza de investigación del melanoma] (MRA). En lo que se refiere a la MRA, voy al capitolio cada año, a pedirle al congreso que proteja el financiamiento de investigaciones, que prohíba las camas de bronceado y que investigue de mejor forma los ingredientes de los protectores solares.

En vez de torturarme por no protegerme del sol cuando era adolescente y adulta joven, estoy trabajando para cambiar la cultura que motiva a las personas a que ignoren los riesgos de broncearse. Todavía asisto a las fiestas navideñas brillando, pero ahora con gratitud y no por haberme bronceado.

Este recurso educativo se preparó con el apoyo de Merck.

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Nuestras historias son experiencias auténticas de mujeres reales. HealthyWomen no avala los puntos de vista, opiniones y experiencias expresados en estas historias y no reflejan necesariamente las políticas o posiciones oficiales de HealthyWomen.

A biosimilar is a medicine that is similar to an existing, brand name biologic medicine (a medicine made from living cells and organisms). Although biosimilars are not identical copies of biologics, they’re very close and work in the same way.

Like biologics, biosimilars have many different uses, including treating certain types of cancer.

We spoke with Gury Doshi, M.D., medical director at Texas Oncology-Houston West and chair of The US Oncology Network Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee, to learn more about these promising treatments.

This educational resource was created with support from Sandoz.

Testosterone isn’t only a “men’s hormone” — women make it too, just in much smaller amounts. In women, testosterone helps with sexual desire and arousal and plays a role in bone, muscle and brain health. Many experts agree the evidence points to using testosterone therapy in women to treat low sexual desire that is upsetting or distressing after menopause, a condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

There’s no FDA‑approved testosterone made just for women in the United States yet, so care can feel confusing. Here’s what you should know.

1: Why is AMR a dangerous public health crisis?

When you take medication for an infection, sometimes whatever is making you sick has been exposed to the medication enough that it has found a way to survive the drug. 

That process is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

Some parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi are so resistant to the medications that treat them  that there are no treatments that work to stop the infection. 

There are only 90 antibiotics in clinical development — and just 5 of them are effective against the highest risk bacteria.

With time, infections will become harder to treat because of AMR, including:

• Strep throat

• Pneumonia

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Infections from childbirth

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

+2.8m AMR infections — and more than 165,000 AMR-related deaths — occur in the U.S. annually 

Why are women at higher risk?

• UTIs are common in women. UTIs that keep coming back can become drug-resistant.

• Childbirth carries infection risk, especially for C-sections or induced labor.

• 6 out of 10 caregivers in the U.S. are women, and exposure to sick people increases risk of infection.

• Women are at higher risk for getting STIs. 

Pregnancy-related deaths caused by infection are on the rise.

Healthcare workers and sex workers are at high risk of developing infections — and many of them are women.

4: What you can do

• Take infection prevention measures, like handwashing, especially around sick people.

• Use antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics only as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

• Learn about antibiotics and why they are running out.

• Contact your legislators about what they can do to ensure critical antibiotics will be available in the next decade — and beyond.

• Visit the American Society for Microbiology Action Center.

Resources

American Society for Microbiology Action Center

This educational resource was created with support from BIO, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.

As told to Erica Rimlinger

I used to be the person who showed up to the Christmas party every year bronzed and glowing with a fresh tan. A tan was part of my regular beauty routine, and I felt incomplete without one. I never dreamed I’d walk into my longtime tanning salon and cancel my membership, but that day arrived.

The cancellation form asked me to provide a reason. In big letters, I wrote: MELANOMA. I was 26 years old, newly diagnosed with one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer and furious with myself for ignoring the warnings in the small print of my contract. The salon employee looked at my completed form, said, “OK, you’re all set,” and walked away.

Earlier, my mom had urged me to get a mole on my chest checked. She was worried because my dad had been diagnosed with stage 0 melanoma the month before. I thought my dad’s diagnosis was understandably making her a little paranoid. Just five weeks after my 26th birthday, I was nowhere near my dad’s age, and my suspicious mole looked nothing like his. Mine wasn’t big like my dad’s mole — but it was multi-colored with uneven edges.

I dismissed her with a “Sure, Mom,” but her worry lodged in my brain. I went down a Google rabbit hole and looked at too many pictures of suspicious moles. I finally thought, OK, it wouldn’t hurt to get a skin check with a dermatologist.

I was a little unprepared for the experience of standing naked, head to toe, in front of a doctor I’d met five seconds earlier. I have a lot of moles, and as the doctor inspected them, he asked about my tanning bed use, family history of melanoma and sun habits. I started to feel uncomfortable and a little defensive. I live in Ohio where we don’t get much sun, and a tan is a beauty standard. You wouldn’t see a model without a tan, right? The doctor asked if I had any moles that concerned me. Stubbornly, I said no.

2019

He zoomed in on the one my mom disliked, however. It didn’t look like the rest of my moles. He removed it for a biopsy, and I thought, “Great. All done.” I’d heard of people getting pre-cancerous moles removed all the time. It didn’t mean anything bad was happening. My mom would be happy I got my skin check, and I admit I felt a little better too.

The doctor said I’d get the results in three to five business days, but after 10 days I’d heard nothing. I called the medical office and asked if they’d lost my mole. The medical team apologized and said they’d sent it out for additional testing. That’s when I felt the first negative vibe.

On the 14th business day after the biopsy, I was in the car with my husband when the dermatologist office called with my results. The grim tone of my doctor’s voice announced the melanoma before the word was even spoken. Thank goodness my husband was driving. I had stage 1a, bordering on 1b, melanoma. My first thought was, “This is worse than my dad’s.” Then I thought, “How could this be worse than my dad’s?” The doctor recommended immediate surgery and a lymph node test. The entire call lasted less than 10 minutes, but it had stripped all the color from my face and my world.

Two weeks after that phone call, I checked in to the hospital for an eight-hour day. I’d never had anesthesia before. The only medical procedure I’d had was my wisdom teeth removal. I woke up from surgery with two big incisions and a wave of grief for the life I didn’t have anymore. I didn’t just enjoy being tan. Tanning was rooted deeply in my body image. In addition to grief, I also felt anger with myself, with the sun, and even with my dad’s habit of getting sunburned mowing the lawn or playing golf.

I wanted to run, lift weights and lay out in the sun again. The first two desires would have to wait until I healed, and the third was no longer an option for me. I’d have to change my lifestyle — and cancel my tanning salon membership.

I ended my pity party after about a month and a half. I realized it was getting me nowhere, and I was being given an opportunity to learn, change my habits and appreciate my second chance. But I’d do this quietly, telling almost no one because of the shame I felt about my diagnosis.

2024

For the next two years after my surgery, I got frequent skin checks and more biopsies than I could count. My whole body felt like it was being sliced up. Under the weight of the mental, emotional and physical burden of survivorship, I realized I needed support. It was time to share my story.

On social media, I found #melanoma and was stunned to see how many young people in their 20s were sharing their melanoma stories. I took a picture of my scars, posted it, then panicked and threw the phone across the room.

The scorn, shame and “told you so” messages I expected never appeared — not even once. My community gave me love and support instead, and I was so grateful. Once I started connecting with other melanoma survivors and advocates, my burden lifted.

I’m glad I reached out for support when I did. My dad’s melanoma returned in his brain and lungs. After 21 rounds of immunotherapy, gamma knife radiation and multiple trips to the emergency room, my dad’s lesions began shrinking. Today, my dad is still here, and his melanoma is almost gone. We’re so grateful, and this experience has brought our family much closer together.

Leah and her father at her wedding, June 2025. (Photo/Aisley Herndon)

I now own my sun-loving past. Instead of silently shaming myself, I speak up and advocate for sun care and skin checks. I serve as a volunteer for Melanoma Research Foundation, and I’m on the leadership committee for Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA). For MRA, I go to Capitol Hill every year, urging Congress to protect research funding, ban tanning beds and investigate better sunscreen ingredients.

Instead of beating myself up for neglecting sun safety as a teen and young adult, I’m working to change the culture that encourages people to ignore the risks of tanning. I still show up to Christmas parties glowing — but with gratitude, not a tan.

This educational resource was created with support from Merck.

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Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.

By Christina Flach — Celebrity Makeup Artist & Beauty Expert

“Keratin shouldn’t force your hair into something it’s not — it should make your natural texture smoother, healthier, and easier to live with.” — Christina Flach

Keratin treatments have become one of the most requested solutions for achieving smoother, shinier, more manageable hair. But with so many formulas out there — from Brazilian Blowouts to express keratin to full straightening systems — it’s important to choose the right treatment for your hair type, lifestyle, and goals.

As a celebrity makeup artist working on-camera talent, athletes, TV hosts, and editorial shoots, I see every texture respond differently to keratin. When chosen correctly, keratin can be life- changing. When chosen incorrectly, it can flatten, dry, or overwhelm the hair.

What Is a Keratin Treatment?

Keratin is the natural protein found in your hair, skin, and nails. Over time, heat styling, coloring, UV exposure, and environmental stressors break down the hair’s keratin, leaving it frizzy, dull, and harder to manage.

A keratin treatment works by replenishing this protein and sealing it into the hair cuticle using heat.
The result? – Smoother, glossier, stronger hair that’s easier and faster to style.

Types of Keratin Treatments

1- Brazilian Blowout (Smoothing Treatment)

• Best for: frizzy, wavy, curly hair that wants frizz control but still wants movement and curl.
• Benefits: major shine, humidity protection, faster blowouts.
• Lasts: 3–4 months.

2- Traditional Keratin Treatment (Stronger Straightening)

• Best for: thick, coarse, unruly, or very frizzy hair.
• Benefits: stronger smoothing, more straightening, reduced volume.
• Lasts: 4–6 months.
• Note: Some formulas may contain small amounts of formaldehyde or releasing agents — always ask for formaldehyde-free if sensitive.

3- Soft/Express Keratin Treatments

• Best for: fine hair, mildly frizzy hair, or hair that needs a quick, gentle refresh.
• Benefits: lightweight smoothing, instant shine, little to no curl loss.
• Lasts: 6–8 weeks.

4- Japanese Straightening (Not a Keratin)

Frequently confused with keratin but works differently.

• Best for: people who want pin-straight hair permanently.
• Pros: dramatic, glossy, straight hair.
• Cons: can cause breakage if hair is fragile.
• Lasts: permanent until new hair grows out.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Keratin?

YES, consider keratin if you:

• truggle with frizz or humidity
• want smoother hair but not necessarily straight hair
• want faster blow-drying
• have color-treated hair that needs protection
• want shine and softness without losing fullness

Avoid or reconsider keratin if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have extremely damaged/over-processed hair
• love big volume
• have a sensitive scalp
• don’t heat style (keratin requires high heat to seal)

Pros & Cons of Keratin Treatments

THE PROS

• Eliminates frizz completely — even in humidity
• Cuts styling time in half
• Adds high-gloss shine
• Strengthens hair by filling weak spots
• Great for color-treated hair (seals color and reduces fading)

THE CONS

• Some formulas release fumes during sealing
• Can reduce volume more than some clients expect
• Requires 24–48 hours of hair “rest” after treatment
• Not suitable for very fragile, over-bleached hair
• Can be pricey: $150–$500 depending on length and thickness

Christina’s Keratin Do’s & Don’ts

DO

• Choose a formula matched to your hair’s texture and needs
• Use sulfate-free shampoo
• Deep-condition weekly
• Request formaldehyde-free if you prefer clean formulas
• Bring photos of the look you want
• Sleep on a silk pillow, best for your hair and skin.

DON’T

• Don’t wash or tie your hair for 24–48 hours afterward
• Don’t expose hair to saltwater or chlorine unprotected
• Don’t expect keratin to repair extreme damage instantly
• Don’t use excessive heat — you’ll need less after keratin
• Don’t put your hair in ponytails or clips too soon (it dents!)

Pro Tip from Christina

If you’re considering a keratin treatment, bring a photo of your dream hair and your realistic daily routine to your stylist. The right keratin formula should match your lifestyle, not just your hair type. If you work out daily, live in humidity, travel often, or need wash-and-go simplicity, your stylist can tailor the smoothing level to support the way you truly live. Smooth, healthy hair should make your life easier — not more complicated.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.