The Arc Woman Podcast

Arc Woman

The Arc Woman Podcast is an exploration of woman kind. Here we discuss what it is to be a woman in the modern world while utilising ancient and modern modalities in tandem to create a bounty of health for the body, mind and spirit.

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21 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes21

Newest first

Tuesday · 1 hr
The Fundamentals of PMOS
🎙️ A full deep-dive into PMOS and how over 70% of women remain undiagnosed, with the diagnostic delay averaging two years. This episode rebuilds the foundational knowledge from the ground up using the 2023 evidence-based guidelines. 🧬 We break down the Rotterdam criteria, why the name change from PCOS to PMOS actually matters clinically, and the four distinct subtypes. ⚡ At the root of it all: insulin resistance, present in 95% of cases regardless of body weight. We map the full cascade: chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and how a dysregulated gut environment drives everything from mood to fertility to skin. 💊 Plus a complete supplement breakdown for insulin resistance, excess androgens, and the PMOS-thyroid overlap, and the two lifestyle non-negotiables that move the needle most. All references are in the full PMOS article available on my Substack or Patreon. If you would like to go even deeper, I recommend my Heal PMOS masterclass and ebook. Heal PMOS Masterclass Heal PMOS Ebook arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright. All downloads, reuse and remixing is disabled. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
July 29 · 1 hr 10 min
Australia Has a Femicide Problem with Sherele Moody
One woman dies of femicide every four days in Australia. This podcast is a conversation on how we got here, why this is happening and what has to happen for it to stop. 🔴 Before you listen, please note that this episode discusses the killing of women, girls, and children, as well as domestic and family violence, sexual violence, and failures in the police, court, and coronial systems. Take care of yourself; feel free to skip this episode or listen with someone you trust if you need support. 🩸 Since 2015, Sherele Moody has recorded the deaths of more than 3,000 Australian women and children, keeping this record herself because there is no federal database. We revisit the cases of nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy and five-year-old Sandra Dorothy Bacon, and explore how this grief led to ten years of detailed, journalism-driven advocacy through The RED HEART Movement and the Australian Femicide & Child Death Map. 🔵 We discuss the Royal Commission petition, the request for $500 million compared to the $21 billion annual cost of domestic violence, the media’s part in victim-blaming, and how to talk safely and supportively with someone you think may be at risk. We also explain why it’s important not to pressure a woman to leave before she is ready. 🩸 If this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, support is available at any time. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000. National 🔴 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 🔴 Lifeline - 13 11 14 By state and territory ⚫ NSW - Domestic Violence Line - 1800 656 463 ⚫ VIC - Safe Steps - 1800 015 188 ⚫ QLD - DVConnect Womensline - 1800 811 811 ⚫ WA - Women's Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 007 339 ⚫ SA - Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1800 800 098 ⚫ TAS - Safe at Home - 1800 633 937 ⚫ ACT - Domestic Violence Crisis Service - (02) 6280 0900 ⚫ NT - Dawn House - (08) 8945 1388 and DAIWS (08) 8945 2284 🌐 You can find Sherele’s work, the Memorial to Women and Children Lost to Violence, the femicide map, and the She Matters podcast at australianfemicidewatch.org. 🖋️ You can also sign the Royal Commission petition at https://www.change.org/p/royal-commission-into-the-killing-of-australian-women-and-girls 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
July 21 · 1 hr 5 min
Fibroid Awareness: The Deep Dive
🎙️ It's International Fibroid Awareness Month, and this is the deep-dive episode I've been promising for ages. Between 70–80% of women will develop at least one fibroid by 50, yet most women only find out what a fibroid actually is when a doctor tells them they have one. 🧬 We break down what a fibroid actually is, why every fibroid in your uterus is genetically distinct, and the real pathophysiology. Spoiler: it's not estrogen dominance. 📊 The disparity story that doesn't get enough airtime: Black women are diagnosed at higher rates, younger, with larger and more numerous fibroids. We discuss how environmental factors and racism play a big factor in this. 🩺 We cover location vs. size (why a 1cm fibroid can be debilitating and a 10cm one silent), the FIGO classification system, modifiable vs. non-modifiable risk factors, and a full evidence-graded rundown of every fibroid intervention floating around wellness spaces (i.e., castor oil packs, seed cycling, fibroid teas, DIM, Vitex, and more.) 🤰 Plus what fibroids actually mean for fertility and pregnancy, and what's genuinely worth doing if you're trying to conceive with one. All references are in the full Fibroids article available on my Substack and Patreon. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
July 13 · 1 hr 13 min
Your Gut & Your Hormones with Naturopathic Dr. Kelly Simms
🎙️ In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Kelly Simms, a naturopathic doctor with 15 years of clinical experience in Chicago, to break down one of the most underexplored connections in women's health the relationship between the gut microbiome and your hormones across every stage of life. 🦠 We cover the oestrobolome, beta-glucuronidase, leaky gut, and why the health of your gut microbiome directly shapes how your body produces, recycles, and clears estrogen — and what happens when that system breaks down. ⚡ Dr. Simms walks us through primary versus secondary dysbiosis, the gut-brain connection in PMDD, how the microbiome shifts across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, and why a disrupted gut doesn't cause hormonal symptoms so much as amplify them. 🔬 We also get into PMOS and insulin resistance, how leaky gut drives androgen excess, what the research says about Akkermansia and metabolic health, and why just taking a probiotic is rarely the answer. 📋 I close the episode with a practical guide to reading your own gut microbiome test — primary and secondary dysbiosis markers, what zonulin, calprotectin, sIgA, beta-glucuronidase, and short chain fatty acids actually tell you plus recommended tests for Australia, the US, Canada, the EU, and the UK. Iscreen Gut Test - Australia + New Zealand Biomesight Gut Test: Europe + UK Viome Gut Test: Canada + USA Find Dr. Simms at kellysimmsnd.com arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
June 29 · 49 min
The MVP of Adaptogens: Ashwagandha
🎙️ In this solo episode I'm breaking down one of the most popular adaptogens in the wellness space what it actually does in the body, why it's so well suited to modern life, and why the "it's natural so it's safe" framing is genuinely getting people hurt. 🧠 I cover the full mechanism HPA axis modulation, GABAergic activity, cortisol reduction, thyroid hormone interactions, and why withanolides having a steroidal backbone means this herb is hormone pathway active, not just a simple calming supplement. ⚡ We get into the research study by study cortisol, anxiety, sleep, strength, subclinical hypothyroidism, and PMOS including what the 2026 case report of a woman with near-complete adrenal suppression after continuous use tells us about how not to use this herb. ⚠️ I also cover the emerging safety signals liver injury cases reported to the TGA, Denmark's outright ban, the EU's Article 8 procedure, and who should be avoiding ashwagandha altogether including anyone with autoimmune thyroid disease, pre-existing HPA dysfunction, or who is pregnant or breastfeeding. All references are in the full Ashwagandha article available on my Substack and Patreon. Get 10% off my recommended Ashwagandha on iHerb. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
June 10 · 53 min
The Basics Of Berberine
🎙️ In this solo episode I'm breaking down one of the most misunderstood supplements in the wellness space because no, berberine is not "nature's Ozempic", and by the end of this you'll know exactly why that comparison is clinically lazy and what berberine is actually doing in your body. 🔬 I cover the full mechanism, AMPK activation, insulin signalling, GLUT4 upregulation, PCSK9 inhibition, leptin sensitivity, and why berberine's comparisons to metformin are far more scientifically valid than any GLP-1 analogy. 🦠 We get into what I think is the most fascinating part of the research, berberine's impact on the gut microbiome, short chain fatty acid production, candida biofilm disruption, and why berberine's low systemic absorption might actually be the whole point. 🩺 I also cover who berberine is genuinely best suited for, including lean PMOS, the real contraindications, drug interactions to know about, and why pregnancy and breastfeeding are a firm no. 📋 And I close with a practical guide to dosing, cycling, supplement quality, and Australian brand recommendations so you actually know what to buy and how to use it. All references are available in the accompanying article on Substack and Patreon. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
May 27 · 1 hr 17 min
Fact Checking The Australian Anti Choice Movement
🎙️ The anti-choice movement in Australia is getting louder, more organised, and more willing to spread outright misinformation. So in this episode, I brought in two experts to fact-check the claims being made publicly, right now, in this country, one by one. ⚖️ I'm joined by Kayla, a practising midwife with deep knowledge of health policy on the ground, and Georgia, a criminologist working in policy who knows exactly how laws are made, misrepresented, and used against women. Together, we go through the most repeated anti-abortion claims in Australia, fetal rights under international law, late-term abortion statistics, born alive rhetoric, the abortion pill safety record, miscarriage criminalisation, domestic violence and reproductive coercion, and the sex selection amendment currently being pushed in New South Wales. 🌍 I also cover what's happening in the US right now, the deliberate destruction of $40 million worth of contraception destined for Sub-Saharan Africa, the federal ruling on mifepristone, and the coordinated rhetorical shift that is rebranding hormonal birth control as an abortifacient and why none of this stays in America. 📄 Download the full fact-check PDF with all cited sources on the link tree, and if you're in Australia, send it to your local MP. arcwoman.com.au Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
May 19 · 48 min
Ovarian Cancer & the Leading Research of Leader Cells with Dr. Maree Bilandzic
🩺 In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Maree Bilandzic, molecular cancer biologist, ovarian cancer advocate, and the first scientist in the world to identify and characterise leader cells in ovarian cancer a discovery that is fundamentally changing how scientitsts understand why this disease keeps coming back. 🔬 We get into why ovarian cancer is called the silent killer, why treatment hasn't changed in over 30 years, and what it actually means that this cancer starts in the fallopian tube something we only discovered a decade ago. ⚡ Dr. Bilandzic breaks down her landmark leader cell research what leader cells are, how they build immune fortresses to outsmart chemotherapy, and what her lab's novel therapy targeting them could mean for the 80% of women whose cancer returns. 🧬 We also cover the early detection tests being developed right now in Australia that could push survival rates from 30% to over 90%, why CA125 isn't the answer, and what to actually do if your intuition is telling you something is wrong. 💛 And we talk about what it means to do this work the grief, the hope, and the women who donate their tissue so their daughters don't have to go through what they did. Find Dr. Bilandzic and her team at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne at hudsoninstitute.org arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
May 11 · 59 min
The Politics of the Hungry Woman
🏛️ Journey from ancient Venus figurines to futuristic GLP-1 prescriptions as this episode uncovers the long story of how women have been praised for shrinking themselves, eating less, and calling it virtue. 🔍 We chart the recurring pattern: every time women gain political ground, a new beauty ideal emerges to shrink them back. From suffrage and the flapper craze, to second wave feminism and Twiggy, to third wave and heroin chic, and now the most educated generation of women facing a resurgence of extreme thinness. 📊 The numbers nobody puts next to each other: what the 1,200-calorie diet sits alongside historically, what the Minnesota Starvation Experiment found. 🧬 The biology that diet culture fights: how adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ, why cellulite signals femininity, and the hidden costs of chronically underfeeding women—on hormones, bone strength, and dopamine. 🌍 The full political picture rolling back of women's rights, the class architecture of SkinnyTok, the obesity epidemic as an economic story, and why finishing your plate might be the most radical thing a woman can do right now. 📖 This episode references Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth the audiobook is on Audible and I cannot recommend it enough get your first month with audible free. arcwoman.com.au Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
May 2 · 1 hr 11 min
PCOS Fundamentals
🎙️ In this episode, I break down what PCOS actually is beyond the label walking you through its underlying pathophysiology, what’s really happening at a hormonal and metabolic level, and why it’s so often misunderstood. ⚡ From there, I unpack the Rotterdam criteria and how PCOS is diagnosed, including where women are commonly misdiagnosed or overlooked, and what a thorough, accurate workup should actually include. 🧬 We then move into the four distinct types of PCOS insulin-resistant, inflammatory, post-pill, and adrenal exploring how each presents differently and why this distinction completely changes the approach to treatment. 🥗 Building on this, I take you through what to actually focus on with diet, exercise, and lifestyle depending on your PCOS type cutting through generic advice and getting specific about what supports ovulation, hormone balance, and long-term metabolic health. 🌿 I also cover the supplements and herbal interventions that have real evidence behind them, when to use them, and how they work within the bigger picture of restoring hormonal function. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
April 25 · 55 min
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals & Women's Health
🎙️ In this episode, I unpack what Professor Philippe Grandjean at Harvard describes as a chemical pandemic and reveal how the very system meant to shield us is missing the hidden toll women are bearing in their bodies today. ⚡Continuing from this, we journey through the world of EDCs, pesticides, flame retardants, forever chemicals, phthalates, microplastics, and synthetic textiles, exploring what the latest research reveals about their effects on fertility, endometriosis, PCOS, pregnancy outcomes, and the next generation of daughters. 🧬 Building on these findings, I dive into the molecular story: how these chemicals hijack the HPO axis, ramp up aromatase, speed up follicle loss, spark progesterone resistance, and why women shoulder a heavier chemical load than men and why that difference is crucial. 🩲 From the molecular to the everyday, we also uncover what lurks in your menstrual products, sports bras, and period underwear, and discuss what the Thinx lawsuit reveals about the gaps in protection women truly face. 📋Finally, I wrap up with the data that gives me hope: studies showing that EDC levels can drop meaningfully in just 3 days, along with practical swaps, certifications, and apps genuinely worth your attention. This episode is sponsored by Indigo Luna slow fashion made from natural fibres including OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton and TENCEL modal, designed to reduce the endocrine load on your body. Use code SOFTERCHOICE for 10% off! arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
April 18 · 1 hr 14 min
Magnesium: The Deficiency Nobody Is Diagnosing
🎙️ Magnesium is involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions in the body and yet roughly half of all women aren't getting enough of it. This episode covers where magnesium comes from, why modern diets and farming practices have left us depleted, and why the standard blood test your doctor orders is almost certainly missing the full picture. 🧬 We break down what magnesium actually does inside the body: how it unlocks ATP energy production, regulates the nervous system, activates vitamin D, supports estrogen clearance through the COMT enzyme, and sits at the centre of sleep, blood sugar, thyroid function, and hormonal health. ⚡ We look at the RDI and whether current nutritional science backs it up, the top food sources and what helps or blocks absorption, and a full breakdown of every supplemental form so you can choose the right magnesium for what your body actually needs. 🩺 The episode closes with magnesium's specific applications for PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PMS and PMDD, perimenopause, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. 🛒 I've curated my favourite magnesium supplements over on my iHerb storefront the forms I actually recommend and use. Link in bio, and you get 10% off your order. arcwoman.com.au Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
April 7 · 1 hr 14 min
Adenomyosis: The Most Common Condition You've Never Heard Of
🎙️ In this solo episode I'm breaking down one of the most underdiagnosed, under-researched conditions in women's health a disease affecting roughly 1 in 5 women globally that takes an average of 11 years to diagnose, has no dedicated pharmaceutical treatment, and until recently could only be confirmed by removing the uterus entirely. 🔬 I get into the full pathophysiology what's actually happening in the muscle wall of your uterus, how localized hyperestrogenism drives the disease from the inside, and why your blood results can look completely normal while you're in excruciating pain. ⚡ We cover the key molecular mechanisms including aromatase overexpression, progesterone resistance, the KRAS gene mutation, the self-amplifying inflammatory feedback loop, and why the disease actively dismantles its own brakes. 🗂️ I walk you through the two distinct types of adenomyosis, the current theories on its origin, how it's now diagnosed non-invasively through MRI and transvaginal ultrasound, and what to ask your sonographer before you even book the appointment. 💊 And I cover the full treatment landscape from NSAIDs and Dienogest to the Mirena, GnRH agonists, endometrial ablation, uterine-preserving surgery, and the emerging integrative approaches. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
March 26 · 56 min
Navigating The Modern Medical System
🎙️ In this solo episode I'm reflecting on the side of medicine most women know too well and why so many of us keep falling through the cracks. 🔬 I break down medical paternalism, how it's baked into the system, and why the profession actively attracts and rewards a god complex that costs women their health, their autonomy, and their money. ⚡ We get into the patriarchy's role in medicine, from the origin of the word "hysteria" to why your physical symptoms keep getting rerouted into anxiety diagnoses and the very real economic toll that takes on women. 📋 I also share ten practical strategies for navigating the system right now, because the system isn't going to fix itself and you deserve to know how to protect yourself inside it. Woman To Woman Post: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Worldwide Doctors Directory: A curated, community-driven directory of doctors and specialists recommended by women, for women, spanning the globe. Found someone exceptional? Pay it forward submit your recommendation via the contact form on the website. iScreen: My go-to for independent lab testing in Australia and New Zealand. Get clarity on your own health data, without the wait. Always work with a trusted health provider to interpret your results. Ultrahuman Ring: If you want one tool that gives you a window into your body sleep quality, recovery, cycle patterns, even how your morning coffee is affecting you this is it. Use ARCWOMAN10 at checkout for 10% off. arcwoman.com.au Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
March 20 · 1 hr 37 min
The Science of Somatics: How Trauma Lives in the Body with Irene Lyon
Irene Lyon is a master somatic practitioner and nervous system educator who has spent over two decades studying the intersection of trauma, movement, and physiology 🧠✨ She holds a Master's degree in Biomedical and Health Science, is a certified Feldenkrais practitioner, a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, and one of the first people in the world to bring nervous system and trauma healing education online reaching over 27,000 people across 90+ countries since 2012. Irene's approach blends three powerful modalities Somatic Experiencing, the Feldenkrais Method, and developmental trauma work into a framework she calls Neuroplastic Healing Sequencing. Her flagship program SmartBody SmartMind has been formally studied in partnership with the University of Victoria, and her YouTube channel has amassed over 12 million views 🎥 She teaches that trauma isn't an event it's what happens inside the nervous system as a result. And that chronic illness, anxiety, exhaustion, and feeling perpetually stuck are often the body doing exactly what it learned to do to survive. Find Irene at irenelyon.com 🌿 arcwoman.com.au Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
March 14 · 1 hr 19 min
Your Symptoms Are Not Anxiety: Women, Heart Disease & the Future of Digital Health with Dr. Ami Bhatt
🫀 In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Ami Bhatt, a board-certified cardiologist, Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, and Chair of the FDA's National Digital Health Strategy a woman quite literally reshaping how modern medicine works. 📊 We explore why heart disease is the number one killer of women, why so many cases are missed, and how women's symptoms have been historically dismissed, misread, or attributed to anxiety rather than taken seriously. 💊 Dr. Bhatt unpacks how hormonal shifts across perimenopause change cardiovascular risk, what stress and chronic cortisol actually do to the heart, and why younger women are presenting with fatal heart attacks at rising rates. 📱 We also dive into wearable technology, AI in clinical care, and how the future of women's health research might finally be built around women's real lives not just hospital visits. 🌏 This conversation centres on one urgent truth: women have been underserved by medicine for too long, and the tools to change that are finally here. 💍 This episode is proudly supported by Ultrahuman. The biometric ring I personally wear and love tracking sleep, recovery, heart rate variability and more, right from your finger. It's one of the tools Dr. Bhatt and I talk about in this very episode, and honestly it changed how I understand my own body. 👉 Click the link here to shop Ultrahuman use code ARCWOMAN20 for 20% off until the end of March, and ARCWOMAN10 for 10% off after the sale ends. arcwoman.com.au 🌀 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
March 6 · 1 hr 10 min
Midwifery, Birth & Maternal Care with Dr Melanie Jackson
🤰 In this episode I’m joined by Dr Melanie Jackson, a midwife and researcher who transitioned from naturopathy into midwifery to better support women through pregnancy and birth. 🧬 We explore the physiology of labour and birth, including the role of oxytocin, the Ferguson reflex, and how the body is biologically designed to bring babies into the world when supported rather than over-managed. 🏡 We also discuss the differences between hospital birth, home birth with a registered midwife, and free birth, alongside the research gaps and controversies surrounding these approaches. 💧 Dr Jackson unpacks common myths around water birth, explains how midwives support physiological birth, and reflects on how hospital policies and rising C-section rates are shaping modern maternity care. 🌿 This conversation ultimately centres on maternal autonomy, informed decision making, and what a truly woman-centred model of birth could look like. Find Melanie and her incredible work at melaniethemidwife.com or on Instagram @melaniethemidwife Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
February 27 · 40 min
GLP-1s & PCOS: What The Research Actually Shows
🧬 In this solo episode I unpack the growing hype around GLP-1 medications and PCOS, and why research headlines don’t always translate to real women’s bodies. 📊 I explain what the evidence actually shows, including reliable improvements in insulin sensitivity and androgen markers, alongside mixed and inconsistent findings for cycle regularity, ovulation, fertility outcomes, and ovarian structure. ⚖️ We look at the limitations of current research, most studies are short term and conducted in women who are overweight or obese, and why weight loss and metabolic improvements appear to drive many reproductive benefits. 📚 For deeper support, explore my PCOS resources: Heal PCOS The Infradian Way, The PCOS Masterclass & PCOS Symptom Solution Chart arcwoman.com.au Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
February 20 · 1 hr 8 min
IVF & Modern Fertility With Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor
👩‍⚕️ Today I’m joined by Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor, Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist at Stellar Fertility in Melbourne and newly appointed lecturer at University of New South Wales. With over a decade of experience and subspecialist training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, she brings scientific rigour together with a deeply patient centred approach to care. 🧬 We explore IVF and modern fertility treatment, including navigating complex diagnoses, understanding treatment pathways, and what patients can expect when pursuing assisted reproductive technologies. 🌿 We also discuss the value of a holistic approach to reproductive health and how medical treatment, lifestyle factors, and emotional support intersect on the path to parenthood. 🌡️ If you’re charting or tracking ovulation, I personally recommend the Tempdrop wearable basal body temperature sensor. You can use the code AFARCWOMAN for 10% off at tempdrop.com arcwoman.com.au @arc.woman Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
February 10 · 49 min
Why Are Young Women Getting Breast Cancer?
🎗️ In this episode lets examine the rising incidence of breast cancer in women under 40, a topic that resonates personally due to my family history, including my mother’s diagnosis and multiple relatives affected. 📊 We cover incidence and mortality trends, then systematically unpack core risk factors including genetics (BRCA1/BRCA2 and other high penetrance genes), family history, reproductive and hormonal influences, oral contraceptive use, and established lifestyle contributors. 🧬 We discuss the benefits, limitations, and considerations of screening modalities, including mammography, ultrasound, and MRI in younger populations, weighing radiation exposure against sensitivity. I also outline recommendations for genetic risk assessment and testing pathways with region-specific resources: Australia: Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Management Initiative (BOCRMI) and clinical genetics through state-based services. New Zealand: Referrals via Te Whatu Ora clinical genetics services for BRCA testing pathways. UK/Europe: NHS Genetics Services (UK) and European Reference Networks for hereditary cancer syndromes. Canada: Genetics/Genomics Ontario or provincial cancer genetics programs. USA: National Society of Genetic Counselors and clinical testing through accredited labs (e.g., Myriad, Invitae) with referral from genetics professionals. 🌿 The episode outlines modifiable risk reduction strategies backed by the literature, including structured physical activity, reducing alcohol intake, enhancing metabolic and insulin sensitivity, optimising sleep quality, and dietary patterns associated with lower breast cancer risk such as Mediterranean-style diets, high fibre intake, omega-3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens (e.g., soy), and adequate vitamin D status. Sources Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023, December 15). National health survey: First results, 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/latest-release Australian Bureau of Statistics. (n.d.). Waist circumference and BMI: 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/waist-circumference-and-bmi/latest-release Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, June 17). Overweight and obesity: Summary. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity/contents/summary Breast Cancer Network Australia. (n.d.). Breast cancer risk in families. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/family-history-and-genetics/breast-cancer-risk-in-families/ Breast Cancer Network Australia. (n.d.). Genetic mutations that increase breast cancer risk. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/family-history-and-genetics/genetic-mutations-that-increase-risk/ Breast Cancer Trials. (n.d.). Q&A: Are more young women being diagnosed with breast cancer? Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events/qa-are-more-young-women-being-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/ Cancer Australia. (2024, October 3). Reproductive factors. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/breast-cancer-risk-factors/risk-factors/reproductive-factors Cancer Australia. (2024, October 22). Medical history and medications. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/breast-cancer-risk-factors/modifiable-factors/medical-history-and-medications Cancer Australia. (2025, November 3). Breast cancer in young women. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer-young-women Cancer Australia. (2025, December 18). 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