| | | | For decades, we’ve been told that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Screening is only the first step. Without access to follow-up care—additional imaging, biopsies, patient navigation—that initial mammogram is just a snapshot, not a safety net.
That’s why the recent update from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) feels like a long-overdue breakthrough. Starting in 2026, expanded insurance coverage will go beyond the initial mammogram and include the entire screening pathway—from additional diagnostic tools to person-to-person navigation services. In short, we’re finally acknowledging that access doesn't stop at the first image. It extends through every step that follows.
This is a game-changer for women in midlife, particularly those navigating high-deductible plans or gaps in communication with their providers. These updates don’t just close loopholes in insurance—they close gaps in care.
We know this progress didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the result of relentless advocacy, research and lived experience—often powered by women who refused to settle for partial answers. Many of you reading this are the reason these changes are happening. You’ve shown up for your health, your communities and each other.
So as we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take this moment in. It’s not just about awareness—it’s about momentum. And if this year’s policy shift is any indication, that momentum is finally moving in the right direction. |
| This Sleep Expert Is Sounding the Alarm on Midlife Women’s Rest Dr. Andrea Matsumura knows that sleep isn’t just a nightly ritual—it’s a radical act of self-preservation, especially for women in midlife. As a board-certified sleep medicine physician, menopause expert and founder of the D.R.E.A.M. Sleep Method, she’s spent her career sounding the alarm on how our healthcare system fails women when it comes to sleep.
From calling out the gender bias in diagnostic testing to reframing sleep as a whole-body, hormone-dependent process, Matsumura is leading a movement that helps women better understand their biology—and finally get the rest they deserve. Whether she’s developing a new clinical sleep program in Oregon or co-leading the Portland Menopause Collective, her work is rooted in one clear mission: helping women feel seen, heard and well-rested. |
You’ve said sleep is an “untapped superpower”—especially for midlife women. What inspired you to create the D.R.E.A.M. Sleep Method, and how is it different from traditional sleep advice? What I have found is that typically people will go to their sleep doctor's office, and unfortunately, most of the time, they're evaluated for sleep apnea. And if they don't have sleep apnea, it's like great, we're good, but I typically will diagnose somebody with two to four different sleep issues. So, D.R.E.A.M.—”D” really stands for “daily activities.” What's going on in your daytime life that might be affecting your nighttime life. What are you bringing into the bedroom? “Resting environment” is the “R,” and that is really… How are you supporting yourself so that your bedroom is your absolute, you know, ideal environment for sleep? Is it dark? Is it cool? Is it quiet? The third one [“E”] is emotions. We all know that we bring our anxieties into the bedroom. How are we shutting off and giving ourselves permission to go to sleep? The “A” is “archetype.” I came up with this. It is basically, what is your circadian rhythm? Are you an early bird? Are you a night owl or are you somewhere in between? And then the last one [“M”] is medical conditions. There are many different medical conditions that can affect your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep and get into the right stages of sleep.
Sleep apnea is often underdiagnosed in women, especially in midlife. You’ve been outspoken about how traditional testing fails women. What needs to change—both in the healthcare system and in how women advocate for themselves? Most insurance companies are going to cover a home sleep study, but unfortunately there are a lot of false negatives in women with home sleep studies. A lot of women have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and the most common testing right now is not picking that up. So, women will be told: “Well, you don't have anything wrong with you. You don't have sleep apnea.” But, in fact, what should happen is if they have a lot of symptoms, if they have a negative home study, they really should get pushed forward into having a sleep center sleep study or a higher level sleep study. Home sleep studies are convenient, they're low cost, but they miss women.
From your research and clinical work, what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about how sleep changes during perimenopause and menopause? When we have a reduction in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, it affects our sleep. It affects the amount of sleep we get in each stage, and then, it doesn't make us feel rested. The lack of progesterone really affects our ability to get to sleep. The reduction in estrogen really affects our ability to stay asleep, especially REM sleep. Testosterone really affects our deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, which is our most restorative sleep. So, when we have this reduction in all of those hormones, then we have a reduction in our quality of sleep. In addition, those three hormones also support the soft tissue at the back of the throat, so up to 65% of postmenopausal women will have sleep apnea. And 90% of the women who have sleep apnea do not know that they have it.
How do you find flow—that moment, or ability, to be fully immersed and present in the moment—in your life? I am a cyclist, so when I am on my bike, I am at peace. I am in my element. It is my happy place. And then, of course, when I'm with my family. I'm lucky to have a wonderful family, and they're very supportive; that is also my happy place. |
Shining a Light on Hot Flashes Few symptoms of menopause have gotten as much attention as hot flashes, and rightly so.
Despite moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause affecting nearly half of women and being one of the most well-known symptoms associated with menopause, many women still find themselves struggling to find relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Not to mention, all women don’t experience hot flashes the same way —or even have them at all. Some women experience mild hot flashes, meaning they feel a sensation of heat without sweating, while others experience hot flashes that are moderate in severity, or a sensation of heat with sweating. Some women can have severe hot flashes that cause sweating and cause them to stop what they're doing. In fact, one study found that 46% of Black women experienced hot flashes, compared to 37% of white women.
Luckily, there are ways to treat menopausal hot flashes.
Women know their bodies better than anyone and should feel comfortable having candid conversations about treatment options with their healthcare provider. |
| | MAT-US-NON-2025-00786 10/25 |
|
|
|
REMEMBERING Diane Keaton, whose legacy transcended her iconic menswear style and magnetic on-screen presence. She gave women permission to age unapologetically, to lead with wit and warmth, and to live life on their own terms. From Annie Hall to Something’s Gotta Give , Keaton showed us that reinvention isn’t a phase—it’s a lifelong practice.
READING Small Moves, Big Life by Xtend Barre founder Andrea Leigh Rogers, a refreshingly achievable guide to reclaiming your energy and sanity—30 minutes at a time. Created with women’s real-world schedules in mind, this science-backed handbook introduces seven daily practices that build strength, resilience and calm without overhauling your entire life.
CELEBRATING the launch of Natural Cycles’ new NC° Perimenopause tool—powered by the company’s newly developed NC° Menopause Algorithm, which analyzes cycle patterns, symptom shifts and biometric data—designed to help women decode hormonal shifts during the most overlooked phase of their lives. Built in collaboration with experts and backed by FDA clearance, it’s a much-needed leap forward in personalized, science-backed support for midlife health.
EXPLORING 113 Spring, New York City’s newest experiential wellness space focused on cognitive longevity and science-backed mindfulness. The ever-evolving destination blends neurosensory meditation, personalized scent design, and expert-led activations—all curated around seasonal themes. First up: “Presence Is the Present.” Book a session, or just drop in and browse the brain-boosting reads and wellness tools you didn’t know you needed. |
| | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment