Global Women's Health Academy

For patients with endometriosis, treatment delays can profoundly impact both quality of life and clinical outcomes. Proactive strategies that address logistical barriers—such as prior authorizations—combined with education and multidisciplinary support are essential in improving care. Join Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Jacqueline Wong as they explore practical approaches for managing this complex condition and navigating potential hurdles. Dr. Wong is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

As GLP-1 therapies grow in popularity for weight management and diabetes, an unexpected consequence has emerged: a rise in unplanned pregnancies due to reduced oral contraceptive effectiveness. Dr. Jennifer Caudle sits down with Dr. Johanna Finkle, a weight loss specialist and OB/GYN at the University of Kansas Health System, to explore the mechanisms behind this trend and outline practical, long-acting contraceptive alternatives that maintain efficacy during GLP-1 use.

Not only is PI3Kα the most common mutation seen in patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer, but it’s also associated with endocrine therapy resistance and more aggressive cancer growth. Given its prevalence and impact on outcomes, it’s important to know how and when to test for this mutation and how emerging targeted therapies might change our approach in clinical practice. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share her insights on PI3Kα testing and targeted therapies for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer is Dr. Hope Rugo, Director of the Women's Cancers Program, Division Chief of Breast Medical Oncology and Professor of the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Due to their wild-type inhibition, first-generation PIK3CA inhibitors for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer were limited by significant toxicities, including hyperglycemia, rash, and diarrhea. But now, mutation-specific PIK3CA inhibitors could help improve tolerability and adherence as well as simplify dosing strategies—all while maintaining efficacy. To learn more about the efficacy and safety of current and emerging PIK3CA-targeted therapies, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Dr. Neil Iyengar, Co-Director of the Breast Oncology Program and Director of Cancer Survivorship Service at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University.

The second-line treatment of HR+/HER2-advanced breast cancer has evolved in recent years, particularly with the rise of biomarker-driven strategies targeting PI3Kα and other mutations. But given these advances, there’s a lot we need to think about when selecting therapy, like the differences between selective and non-selective inhibitors, toxicity profiles, and shared decision-making. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share their insights on those key considerations and how we can personalize care for patients with PI3Kα-mutated HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer are Drs. Komal Jhaveri and Neil Iyengar. Dr. Jhaveri is the section head for the Endocrine Therapy Research Program in the Breast Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Dr. Iyengar is the Co-Director of the Breast Oncology Program at the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University.

Our treatment approach for patients with endometrial cancer is evolving, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and biomarker-driven therapies showing promise. Dr. Brian Slomovitz highlights future directions that could redefine treatment pathways for patients with advanced or recurrent disease. Dr. Slomovitz is the Director of Gynecologic Oncology and Co-Chair of the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center as well as a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University in Miami.

Metastatic breast cancer treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. Providers must carefully balance clinical outcomes, toxicity, and patient lifestyle and preferences. Dr. Giancarlo Moscol joins Ms. Ashley Baker to outline a structured, three-tiered decision-making process that weighs treatment efficacy, side effect burden, and real-world logistics like administration route and patient support systems. Dr. Moscol is an Associate Professor in teh Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Effective treatment sequencing in patients with metastatic breast cancer is critical for maximizing clinical benefit and maintaining quality of life. Ms. Ashley Baker sits down with Dr. Giancarlo Moscol to discuss how to approach sequencing decisions based on tumor biology, disease progression patterns, and actionable mutations. Dr. Moscol is an Associate Professor in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

New insights from DESTINY-Breast04 highlight how trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) not only extends survival but also delays symptom deterioration in HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. In this AudioAbstract, Dr. Mimi Maeusli discusses key takeaways from the outcomes analysis and what they mean for treatment planning and patient-centered care.

Endometriosis care is often delayed due to diagnostic and treatment access challenges—but early recognition and proactive strategies can change that. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. Brian McDonough sits down with Dr. Hugh Taylor to explore how we can clinically diagnose endometriosis without relying on surgery, streamline prior authorizations, and guide patients toward affordable treatment options while empowering patients through advocacy and education. Dr. Taylor is the Anita O’Keeffe Young Professor and Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine.