Hormones, Breast Health, Menopause & Smarter Screening

Hormones don’t stop mattering after menopause — and estrogen is not the enemy many women have been led to believe.

In this episode of Health Hacks, Tara Peterson and Dr. Jeni dive into a powerful, fear-reducing conversation around hormones, breast health, menopause, and breast cancer screening. Inspired by insights from the DUTCH Podcast and integrative oncologist Dr. Jenn Simmons, this episode challenges outdated beliefs and helps women understand what the science actually says.

We discuss the role of estrogen and progesterone in breast health, why synthetic progestins — not estrogen — are linked to increased risk, and how smarter, individualized screening fits into a proactive, functional medicine approach. You’ll also learn how DUTCH hormone testing helps us personalize care by looking at hormone metabolism, stress, and detox pathways — not just hormone levels.

If you’ve ever felt confused or fearful about hormones, menopause, or breast cancer screening, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and confident in advocating for your health.

https://www.thrivecfh.com

00:00 – 03:00 | Introduction
Why this conversation around hormones, breast health, and screening is long overdue

03:00 – 07:00 | What Is DUTCH Hormone Testing?
• What DUTCH testing measures
• Why hormone metabolism matters
• How stress, cortisol, and detox pathways impact breast health

07:00 – 12:00 | Estrogen & Breast Cancer: Separating Myth from Fact
• Why estrogen is not the primary driver of breast cancer
• What research actually shows about estrogen and risk
• Health consequences of estrogen deficiency

12:00 – 16:00 | Progesterone vs. Progestins
• The critical difference between bioidentical progesterone and synthetic progestins
• Why progestins — not progesterone — are linked to increased risk
• How progesterone supports sleep, mood, and brain health

16:00 – 22:00 | Smarter Breast Cancer Screening
• Screening vs. prevention — why they are not the same
• Limitations of mammograms
• Breast ultrasound, MRI, and thermography as adjunct tools
• Why tissue health, inflammation, and metabolism matter

22:00 – 25:00 | Birth Control vs. Menopausal Hormone Therapy
• Why birth control is often misused in perimenopause
• Hormone suppression vs. hormone restoration
• How personalized hormone therapy differs from conventional care

25:00 – 28:00 | Hormones After Breast Cancer
• What studies show about hormone therapy after breast cancer
• Quality of life, timing, and individualized care
• Moving beyond fear-based medicine

28:00 – 30:00 | Why We Use DUTCH Testing & Final Takeaways
• Personalized hormone care
• Proactive breast health
• Education over fear

• DUTCH Hormone Testing

• DUTCH Podcast featuring Dr. Jenn Simmons

• Functional medicine approach to hormone and breast health

If you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, hormone symptoms, or breast health concerns, we offer free functional health consultations to help you understand your hormones and explore personalized options.

Listen, learn, and advocate for your health.

https://www.thrivecfh.com