HER

Why is there a gap between the races in cervical cancer death? How can we reduce the cervical cancer death rate?There’s a significant gap between white women and women of color dying from cervical cancer. Overall, cervical cancer prevalence has decreased. About 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Approximately 4,000 of those women die. Why do more hispanic and black women die from cervical cancer than white women? There’s no biological difference between the cervixes of different races.  Two reasons seem to dominate: Many of these women don’t have the access to preventative care, due to both financial concerns and location.  Cancer education for women focuses on breast cancer. There is more awareness about the importance of mammograms than there is about Pap smears. The purpose of the Pap smear is to diagnose cervical cancer and pre-cancer risk. Cervical cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. You are particularly at risk if you’ve had more than three sexual partners. Most women who are exposed to the virus clear it. For those who don’t clear the virus, it settles on the cervix and creates an infection. The infection is caught during a Pap test. The conversion from infection to cancer takes many years. With this information about the development of cervical cancer, Pap smears are no longer recommended as part of the annual exam. An exam every three to five years should catch any issues in plenty of time for treatment. Exams are no longer necessary at age 65, after two or three negative results in the previous decade. You should still have your gynecologist do regular exams as you age, but the Pap test is no longer necessary. If you have a daughter or son over age ten and not yet sexually active, consider getting the HPV vaccination for your child. Listen as Dr. Tara Allmen joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss the racial gap in cervical cancer deaths, as well as everything you need to know about HPV. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

How does the ketogenic diet work? Is it right for you?What’s the deal with the ketogenic diet? Sugar causes inflammation. Complex carbohydrates break down into sugar when entering your bloodstream. Protein your body doesn’t use immediately turns into sugar. The ketogenic diet limits all of these things. This diet also endorses consumption of saturated fats. They keep your immune system healthy and assist with improving bone health. The ketogenic diet focuses on three macronutrients that are consumed proportionally. The ideal diet contains 80% fat, 20-50% protein and very few carbohydrates. Upon ketogenic maintenance, your body will start burning its own fat. A typical ketogenic meal plan is as follows. Breakfast: eggs, keto bread. Lunch: hamburger with avocado on keto bread, dairy-free ice cream. Dinner: steak, side salad with dairy-free salad dressing. Diabetics and people who want to lose weight are attracted to the ketogenic diet.  Following this way of eating does present challenges. Going out for social meals makes it tough to stick to the guidelines. You also have to plan ahead so the food is ready when you’re hungry. Listen as ketogenic expert Maria Emmerich joins Dr. Pam Peeke to discuss the ketogenic diet. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Watch for these red flags in potentially dangerous relationships.It’s a good thing to want to see the best in people.  But, are you ignoring the red flags of a potentially abusive relationship? Are you viewing your partner with rose-colored glasses? Most women who find themselves in abusive relationships are repeating patterns from their own history or family history. They don’t heed the warning signs, because they assume the familiar behavior is a normal part of relationships. Abusive partners can be very tricky. Some entice women by assuring how committed they are, which can be very appealing. If you’re really needy within a relationship, you’ll explain many things away so you can stay in that relationship. Do you have a bad gut feeling? That’s one of the first warning signs. Don’t try to talk yourself out of the feeling. Don’t try to justify your partner’s bad behavior. If you’re embarrassed to tell your family and friends about it, that’s a good sign you have a red flag on your hands. Early volatility is not a demonstration of passion. Neither is obsession. Expressing love too quickly or insisting on seeing you every day in the early stages of the relationship may seem sweet. It may also be a warning that your new lover is very possessive. Over-protection may come across as chivalry. Are you feeling limited by the protection? Are you being kept away from your friends? Is he making comments about your appearance? Is he keeping your from activity? The change may be gradual. The first six months of a relationship tend to be the courtship and honeymoon periods. Abusive individuals try to ensure your commitment before showing their true colors. Verbal abuse may creep in, chipping away at your self esteem. Some women settle for an abusive relationship, because they feel they can’t find anyone better. The abusive partner makes her feel worse about herself. The abused woman invests so much in a relationship that it’s hard to cut losses. It’s time to view the relationship like an outsider. Would you want your best friend to stay in a relationship like this? Learn to trust yourself again. Move slowly in your next relationship. How do you feel about this person during the courtship? Take some time to think between dates. Hone your intuition. Extracting Yourself From an Abusive Relationship First, make a list of safe people you can contact. Consider a domestic violence hotline, friends, family members and attorneys as you plan your exit. You may have to dart at a moment’s notice if things become physical. Keep these numbers handy. Second, pack a bag in case you must flee. Include essentials, medications and daily necessities. Have all of your documentation handy. You don’t want to try to make that plan when you must exit. It takes a few weeks to plan, but you must be prepared for crisis. Your personalized safety plan will help you. Be prepared to disconnect from this person and end telephone and email communication. Don’t let him try to talk you into coming back or staying. Can Your Abuser Change? In many cases, the abuser comes from a transgenerational cycle of abuse, oftentimes witnessed as a child. Abusive individuals may actually feel sorry but return to the behavior. They lack the problem solving skills to resolve stress in other ways. The motivation for change must be greater than the impulse to lash out. It takes time to undo abusive patterns. It’s best for the abuser to avoid relationships while working on correcting the behavior. This gives less opportunity to return to bad habits. Relationships can resume when the former abuser is prepared for success. Listen in as forensic expert Dr. Judy Ho joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss warning signs for a potentially abusive relationship. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Empower yourself by finding bras that mix form and fashion.It’s not uncommon to hate shopping for bras. Knowing your options ahead of time arms you for a better purchasing experience. Bralettes are thin, seamed pieces of fabric held together with elastic. The style is similar to 1920s bras but with more shaping to cup the breasts. These are best for cups smaller than a petite C. They don’t provide the same support as an underwire bra. Consider the foundation necessary for your outerwear. Bralettes are great to wear around the house under t-shirts. Spa bras are like workout bras without the compression. Light padding provides some support, so they don’t seem as revealing. You can layer a sports bra over your own bra to get a little more cleavage coverage. The padded cup may be molded foam or filled with light stuffing. Consider silicone nipple petals if you have bold nipples and need extra support in that area. Spa bras and bralettes fall under the category of athletic leisure lingerie, or “leisuré.” These are fine for casual situations, but not for the office. Take a lightweight t-shirt when you try on a bra to make sure the shape is right. Bra styles can get discontinued without notice. Get as many bras as you can afford if you find a style that is perfect for you. You may discover you have more back fat and fullness under the arm as you age. Find a bra with higher sides to tuck that flesh. A professional bra fitter will push that flesh into place so it enhances the look in the front of the bra. You need a sturdy back strap to compress all that back bacon. Dense breasts need at least four hooks to hold them up. Aging presents its own physical challenges, but you can camouflage things that you don’t like about your body.  Listen as fashion consultant Lori Ann Robinson joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to talk bra options. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Did you resolve to get your nutrition on track in the new year? Make lasting changes with these tips.You resolved to change your dietary habits for the new year. How is that going for you? Did you get sidetracked? Did you drop the ball? It’s okay. You can get the show on the road now. You need to be positive. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t expect big results immediately. Start out simply. Try adding one thing, like fruit or veggies at a meal, before you try subtracting things from your diet. Smoothie Recipe 1 protein component (kefir or yogurt) Fruit (frozen or fresh) Vegetables (spinach has very little flavor, cucumber brightens) Omega-3s (kashi, chia seeds or nuts) Anti-Juicing Cleanse If you drink all of your calories in juice form, you miss out on the fiber in your fruits and vegetables. You also miss out on essential fats and protein. You’re starving yourself.  If you want to cleanse, eat fork-friendly foods that assist your liver. Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli are good for detoxification. You should also cut out allergens and inflammatory foods. Cut out wheat, meat, sweets and dairy for a few days. Focus on foods that offer fewer carbohydrates and starches. You need more vitamins and minerals to boost your liver. Consider wild fish and farm-raised eggs for your protein. Vegetarians can try hemp protein. Be sure you give your body plenty of protein. Fats are important during your cleanse. Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and walnut oil are tasty and great for you. Walnuts have a higher level of omega-3s than other nuts. Consider quinoa for your grains. Black rice is anti-inflammatory as well. Use these components for stir fry and smoothies. Your cleanse can last from three to seven days. Add things back into your diet slowly. Try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you did on the cleanse. Keep your nutrition on track by making your goals specific and reasonable. Add one goal per week. After you’ve succeeded with that goal, you can add another new goal. There are lots of options to make your changes easier. Think about getting pre-cut fruits or vegetables or trying a meal-preparation subscription. Listen as chef Abbie Gellman joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how to get your nutrition back on track. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Americans consume more pain medication than any other nation. Why?Americans think of pain in regards to physical manifestations. We rarely think of pain as related to emotional or mental well-being.  We also consume 80 percent of the world’s pain medications. Women consume more pain pills than men. Why do we need so much pain medication? First, our technology has surpassed our emotional resilience. We’ve developed a desperate need for validation by trying to digitally capture our 15 minutes of fame. We get overwhelmed and distracted as we try to seek validation. The results are increased stress, loneliness, identity challenges and lack of fulfillment. People feel empty inside. Second, opiates relieve emotional pain. Opiate abuse may stem from the relief delivered by the drugs. Addiction might be believed to be due to physical pain, but emotions very well could be the root of the problem. Third, it has been common for women to take pills to help them sleep or relax. Women have twice the levels of diagnosed depression as men. They’re more likely to be diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. Popping a pill can delay the response to problems for the short term. The solution? You need to become resilient. Build some skills to handle the problems you will face. Reduce your dependence on a pill to help you handle life. Beating a pain medication addiction requires an integrative approach. Holistic treatment can help you heal. Emotional growth is an important part of the healing process. Listen as Dr. Reef Karim joins Dr. Pam Peeke to discuss pain medication addiction. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

How can you have an online presence without being a slave to your device?If you do something and don’t share it on social media, did it really happen? Social media is a double-edged sword. You can keep up with friends and family in situations where you might not have telephoned for updates in the "olden days." Digital life also generates FOMO: fear of missing out. Your life may not seem as fabulous as the lives of others as presented online. In our real world interactions, we may be an absent presence. Sure, we’re in the same location with someone to share an experience. Chances are good that at least one person in your small group is spending that shared experience in the digital world, not really engaging in what is happening in real-time. Yes, those likes on your photo can give you a little dopamine boost. The problem is that personal value is now being judged by likes, shares and comments. Social media does not determine your worth. Digital life may be impacting simple skills that earlier generations learned through social interaction. Social media doesn’t teach how to create real relationships, resolve conflicts, or negotiate a successful relationship. The value of these things make relationships sustainable. We need to work on making human connections. We are tethered to our devices, increasing our stress levels. We take them to bed and treat them like a human participant in our lives. It’s difficult to be mindful. Ways to Stop the Digital Takeover Stop sleeping with your telephone on. Overnight notifications deprive you of sleep. Don’t check your social media as soon as you wake. You need some downtime. Turn off push notifications. Buy a separate alarm clock. Work on being present. Don’t keep your phone on the table when sharing a meal. Put your phone away when you attend a social gathering. Put the phones away for family time. Parents can’t have phones out when the kids don’t have phones. Keep your kids off devices overnight and hand the devices over after morning routines are complete. Be sure you don’t let your couple become a thruple. Your device isn’t a member in your partnership.  Listen as Dr. Don Grant joins Dr. Pam Peeke to discuss how to manage social media and still enjoy life. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

You are the CEO of your own life. Your choices can help you find balance, while still bringing home the bacon.Only 11 percent of households in the 1960s had women as breadwinners. Today, that figure has risen to 40 percent of households reporting women as primary breadwinners. Fifty-one percent of management positions are held by women. The times are changing. Forty-six percent of women are now in the workforce. Many women were thrust into the role of breadwinner during the economic downturn of 2006-2007 when many men lost their jobs.   Women who are the primary breadwinners still do at least two-thirds of the housework. But, men are taking more responsibility in the home than in previous generations. Women typically have the role of nurturer and have the generational stress of caring for the household. Career and financial responsibility both contribute to incredible stress. It is no surprise that more women are turning to alcohol for a "release." Generational Differences Women who are 55 to 60 more than likely grew up in a household where a man was the major breadwinner. In many cases, the mother stayed home or had a job that had less financial impact on the family than the father. This is what they knew. Women who are 25 to 35 probably grew up in a home where the mother worked outside the home. She may not have been the primary breadwinner, but she contributed significantly to the economy of the household. This generation shares household and financial responsibilities with their partners. Infidelity Imbalance According to a study by the American Psychological Association, five percent of women who are fully dependent on their husband's income cheat. Fifteen percent of men who are financially dependent on their partners cheat.  Women who make over 70 percent of the household’s income cheat less than men. Women are focused on all of the responsibilities of the home and workplace, likely lacking the energy for infidelity. Working women tend to neglect self care because their hands are full. Divorce Rates Over a five-year study, 12 percent of couples where both were working divorced. Divorce rates were 50 percent higher in relationships where women earned more money. How can you address your own relationship if you’re the breadwinner? Communication is key. Discuss the finances so no one is in the dark about the bills. Have a conversation to make financial decisions. Hire help around the house if your partner can’t handle the chores, which can help reduce your own stress from cleaning so you can focus on quality time with your family. Listen as Sharon Lechter, CPA joins Dr. Pam Peeke to share how you can find balance as a breadwinner. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Treat yourself to a mini-spa session with a facial mask.Facial masks are a great way to slow down the aging process, because you’re allowing for key active ingredients to be applied in a concentrated way. Masks come in several varieties. Some are creams or gels that you wipe off, while others harden and peel off.  What does a mask do? A clay mask for acne treatment pulls excess oils out of the skin and pores. Your skin will feel tighter and drier. What you apply afterwards will enhance the success of the mask. The mask acts as a barrier between your skin and the environment, making the ingredients more effective on your skin. Types of Masks Splash masks started in Korea and uses a cleanser to splash on after a shower. They may contain green tea other natural ingredients. Bubbling masks react when applied to the skin. The bubbling action can help the ingredients penetrate the skin. They are believed to improve the oxygenation of the skin. Sheet masks are fiber masks with cut-outs for the eyes, nose and mouth. They feel cool when applied. Sheet masks can contain peptides and hyaluronic acid or antioxidants. Skin may feel soft, smooth, hydrated and firm after treatment. Hydrating masks are best for those who have sensitive skin and skin conditions. Other masks may be too drying for comfort. These masks have a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that pull water into the skin. Some are sheet masks and others are creams. These are great for dry climates and women over 40. Exfoliating masks remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Pay attention to the ingredients and usage times. Be sure you have neutralizer when required. Great Drugstore Masks Olay ProX & Olay Regenerist RoC Retinol Intensive Night Cream Aveeno Positively Radiant Garnier philosophy Miracle Worker Laneige Water Sleeping Mask Number Seven Skin Care Masks that require multiple steps for treatment should include all parts of the treatment with the product. Mask primers and neutralizers should be included when necessary. Use mask treatment time for relaxation. Dim the lights, play soft music and make yourself a spa beverage. Create an atmosphere and slow down. Take some time for yourself while you give the mask 5-20 minutes to work. Listen as Dr. Doris Day joins Dr. Pam Peeke to help you choose the best mask.   Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Expand your vibrant years with a lifetime of fitness habits.It takes work to be fit, but you can condition yourself to have a lifetime of fitness. Snack on fitness by using little snippets of time to be active. For example, work on balance by lifting one foot and then the other as your coffee reheats. Try spending 80 percent of your time nourishing your body and staying active. Then, you’ve earned 20 percent to do whatever you want... eat sugar, consume fats and have down time. Just be sure not to switch the percentages. It’s important to be patient with yourself. Your physical recovery time and ability may change over time. Do what you can and enjoy the abilities you have now. When one door closes, another opens. You learn new skills, no matter what your age. You can always be physically active, even if you aren’t engaged in the same level of athleticism as you did when you were younger. Your balance will change as you age. Practice improving your balance by standing as you dress. Stand on one foot when waiting to cross the crosswalk. Don’t take your health for granted. Accept the changes in your body. Constantly stay active in any way you can. This may be by gardening or taking your dog on walks. Find a sport you love and stick with it for life, even if your ability with that sport decreases as time passes. Listen in as octogenarian figure skater and fitness enthusiast Sheila Cluff shares how you can have a lifetime of fitness. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins