In this episode of the IRH Clinician’s Corner, guest host (and IRH lead practitioner) Sara Fields sits down with Rachel Frankenthal to do a deep dive into the evolving landscape of menopause and cancer survivorship care, unpacking the profound impact of the FDA’s recent removal of the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy. Rachel shares her personal journey from the world of dance to leading-edge women’s health, discusses the myths and realities around hormone therapy, and offers actionable strategies for both clinicians and women facing these issues.
In this interview, we discuss:
- The historical context of hormone therapy
- Ongoing misconceptions and fear surrounding hormone therapy
- Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) data and what it shows
- System-wide educational deficits and resultant misinformation
- Diet and lifestyle interventions for menopausal women and cancer survivors
- Early recognition and frequently ordered labs/monitoring
The Clinician’s Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health.
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Connect with Rachel Frankenthal:
Website: https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/rachel-frankenthal
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rachelfrankenthal/?hl=en
Resources for women:
The Menopause Society: https://menopause.org/
The Heather Hirsch Academy: https://heatherhirschacademy.com/
ISHWISH: https://www.isswsh.org/
Jackie Piasta with Monarch Health: https://www.mymonarchhealthco.com/
Alloy and Midi Health (for telehealth options):
https://www.myalloy.com/ and https://www.joinmidi.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Path to GYN Oncology Career
06:07 Women’s Hormone Therapy Controversy
08:02 Estrogen Black Box Warning Debunked
11:49 Reframing Hormone Therapy Perspectives
15:09 Hormone Therapy Benefits and Risks
18:09 “Estrogen’s Role in Breast Cancer”
21:16 BRCA, Ovarian Cancer, Hormone Risks
26:28 Advocating with Evidence and Data
29:13 Choosing Menopause-Certified Providers
31:35 Hormone Management and Heather Hirsch
35:24 Individualized Menopause Care and Education
39:44 Mediterranean Diet for Health Optimization
43:35 Prioritize Exercise for Health
46:50 Reeducating Women on Health
50:03 Ovarian Cancer: Know the Symptoms
54:01 Individualized Hormone Therapy Insights
54:51 Advances in Cancer Surveillance
58:10 “Clinician’s Corner: Join & Share”
Speaker Bio:
Rachel Frankenthal is a board-certified and licensed Physician Associate and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with a Masters in Public Health. She specializes in gynecologic oncology, treating women with gynecologic cancers as well as women at high risk for cancer due to genetic mutations. Rachel has a special passion for menopause and cancer survivorship care. She developed the menopause clinic for cancer survivors at UCLA and has played an integral role in developing the gyn cancer survivorship program. Rachel is a certified yoga and pilates instructor and on faculty at the Heather Hirsch Academy where she teaches a course on hormone therapy for gynecologic cancer survivors.
Keywords:
hormone therapy, menopause, Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), gynecologic oncology, breast cancer, estrogen, progesterone, hormone replacement therapy, black box warning, FDA hormone guidelines, cancer survivorship, genetic mutations (BRCA), ovarian cancer, vaginal estrogen, menopause education, symptom management, cancer screening, osteoporosis, bone density, lifestyle interventions, nutrition, Mediterranean diet, exercise, strength training, protein intake, fiber intake, patient advocacy, provider directories, telehealth, lab testing
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in the IRH Clinician’s Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician’s Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician’s Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician’s Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.