Shaping the Future of Women’s Health | NASEM Women’s Health Report
Angeles Alvarez Secord MD, MHSc
Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) Board Member and Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Past President Angeles Alvarez Secord, MD, MHSc, recently joined a team of experts to develop the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Women’s Health Report, a groundbreaking document that details women’s health research and reveals significant gaps in how conditions like gynecologic cancers are studied and treated.
“There is so much we do not yet know about women’s health,” Dr. Secord explained. “Only 8% of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget supports women’s health research. This lack of funding means slower progress and fewer breakthroughs.”
Dr. Secord emphasized that the report is about more than statistics; it’s about real lives. “Women spend more years living with disability and poor health – on average, nine years or 25% longer than men,” she shared. “The patient and healthcare professional testimonials we heard were compelling. The stories of sadness, frustration, and suffering provided a sense of urgency.”
For patients, one of the most important messages is to advocate. “If we want to improve funding for women’s health research and train more researchers, we need to speak up,” Dr. Secord emphasizes. “Ask your doctor about the latest treatments and whether there are clinical trials you should consider. Don’t be afraid to share your story. Advocacy is powerful – it helps us get the resources we need to prevent and treat cancer more effectively.”
Dr. Secord also shares her hope for the future: “By improving the lives of millions of women, we are strengthening the foundation of healthcare for everyone and creating a healthier society for all. My hope is that no one endures the pain and suffering of gynecologic cancer or the loss of a loved one.”
One of the report’s key recommendations is to create a special fund for women’s health research. Organizations like the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) can drive scientific advancement and the development of better treatments for women’s health conditions thought the continued support of novel studies and collaborations between researchers. To date, the FWC has awarded more than $11 million through 280 grants and awards, including research grants, training grants, research prizes, and career development awards.
This January, during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to act – whether by sharing your cancer experience, asking your provider about new treatments, or advocating for better funding. “Think of all the wonderful progress we can make if women’s health is prioritized,” Dr. Secord shares. Improving the lives of millions of women has the power to create a healthier society for all.
