Women's Healthcare - Q1 2022 by Mediaplanet UK&IE

Q1 2022 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content

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Ensuring you are supported from the start of your fertility journey private providers, to ensure they are aware of their consumer rights in law. “This is all very well but we want to shift the focus from ‘rights’ to ‘expectations’, by increasing patient education and encouraging individuals to feel involved, consulted and listened to in their decisions around fertility treatment.” Ionescu points out that Merck works closely with fertility clinics to understand the patient journey and clinic processes, in order to develop the right information and tools that will support patients during their fertility journey and allow clinics to improve efficiency in their clinical practice.

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A need for personalised treatment No-one likes to feel they are just a routine case when they access any type of medical treatment, but this is even more the case with something as personal and emotionally charged as fertility treatment. IVF and other fertility treatments are increasing in popularity and the science is evolving all the time. Ionescu says: “This means there is a greater need to personalise treatment and not accept a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Treatment protocols will often need to be adapted based on evidence-based interventions and patient preferences.”

Struggling to conceive? Make sure you are fully informed about the issues around fertility treatment before you start.

INTERVIEW WITH Doina Ionescu General Manager, Merck Healthcare UK & Ireland

WRITTEN BY Linda Whitney

tarting a family requires serious thought, but even if you decide to go ahead, getting pregnant is not always as simple as you might hope. Around one in seven UK couples may have difficulty conceiving, according to the NHS. While 84% of couples will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex, this falls to one in four or less once they have been trying for more than three years without success. Fertility issues do not just affect heterosexual couples – same-sex couples, couples where one or both are trans and single people, may also face hurdles when wanting a baby. Considering fertility treatment If you have been trying to conceive (TTC) and have had no success, you may begin to consider fertility treatment. Before you do, it’s important to ensure you know what your options are and the challenges that you could face on your fertility journey.

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Merck UK has created Bloom, an educational website designed to give individuals the information and resources they need to begin their fertility or IVF journey - whatever path that may take. Doina Ionescu, General Manager for Merck Healthcare UK & Ireland, explains some of the treatment challenges for people struggling to conceive and how these can be navigated. The company wants to support better conversations between fertility patients and their clinicians to support shared decision making. “Patients should have all the facts and know what to expect during their fertility journey,” says Ionescu. “This includes feeling empowered and equipped with the right knowledge about their clinic partner and treatment choices.”

Access problems lead to pressures Not everyone gets the access to fertility treatment they want. NHS fertility treatment varies across the country, with location determining access criteria and the number of IVF cycles received. “This has meant that patients can feel a heightened sense of urgency to create the family they desire and are accessing private clinics in increasing numbers,” says Ionescu. Merck supports the fight for equitable access to fertility treatment but recognises that while a “postcode lottery” to NHS treatment exists, there is a risk that people will make decisions under pressure - sometimes without fully understanding all the facts. Help to make an informed decision Fully informed, unpressured decisionmaking about your fertility journey can help you make better decisions. Ionescu says: “It is essential that people undergoing fertility treatment are well informed and that they are involved and consulted in decisions around their treatment and care.”

Moving the narrative to patient ‘expectations’

Ionescu explains: “In 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published guidance for people at the different stages of considering and undergoing fertility treatment with

For more information, visit merckbloom.com

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The HPV vaccine and screening are our best tools for eliminating cervical cancer Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally but, it can be prevented with the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screenings.

aura Brennan did not get the HPV vaccine and her words were recorded in March 2019, shortly before she passed away, “This vaccine is safe and effective and along with cervical screening, it’s the best tool that we have to help us move towards eradicating cervical cancer.” Laura’s dying wish was that no other women would suffer the same fate as her.

WRITTEN BY Dr Nino Berdzuli Director of Country Health Programmes, WHO Europe

Preventing cervical cancer Early vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent cervical cancer. The ideal age for the vaccination is around the age of 9-14 years. In the UK, 800 out of 100,000 women are projected to develop cervical cancer in their lifetime. HPV is sexually transmitted and is the main cause of this type of cancer which develops as a tumor in the cervix. In more than 90% of cases the infections clear up however,

in a small proportion of women the virus causes some cervical cells to become malignant.

to 15-20 years to develop. Therefore, being screened once or twice in a lifetime could save your life.

Cervical cancer screenings Screening of cervical precancerous lesions is the second-line strategy, designed to detect women at risk of developing cancer. Women who test positive should be treated to avoid progression into cervical cancer. In 2021, the UK reported disruption of 26-50% in cancer screenings due to the pandemic. Acknowledging the ongoing challenges caused by COVID-19, it is important that cancer screening services for women can rapidly resume to ensure continuity of screening for those who need it and to build trust among service users. Proactive strategies are needed so the public understands that that the services are safe in the context of the pandemic. Generally, cervical cancer progresses at a relatively slow rate, taking it up

Raising global awareness In 2020, around 3,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK and of those, 1,121 women passed away due to this disease. In all of our activities, we invoke Laura’s spirit to help women in reducing these numbers. In 2020, WHO launched the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2120, a plan that was approved by all member states. In 2021, WHO/ Europe’s initiated ‘United Action Against Cancer’, a pan-European cancer movement to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease. We urge girls and women to be informed and to follow the recommendations issued by the UK on HPV vaccination and cervical screening. This knowledge can save your life.

Endometriosis: a misdiagnosed condition affecting 1.5 million Why are so many told that crippling period and pelvic pain is normal? Women are waiting an average of eight years to get diagnosed with common condition.

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ou’d better get used to this – this is what it’s like being a woman!” Harriet will never forget those words, directed at her with a laugh by a member of school staff while waiting for her mum to pick her up, in tears and throwing up from another painful period. It wasn’t until her 20s that Harriet was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis, a common and sometimes debilitating gynaecological disease affecting one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth from puberty to menopause – that’s 1.5 million in the UK today. What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow

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in other places – most commonly elsewhere in the pelvic cavity. These cells react in the same way to those in the womb during the menstrual cycle, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells from the womb which leave the body as a period, this blood cannot escape. The symptoms experienced vary depending on where the endometriosis is growing and can include chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, painful bowel movements, pain urinating, pain during or after sex, fatigue and difficulty getting pregnant. Improved diagnosis is critical While the condition affects everyone differently, at Endometriosis UK we hear lots of stories like Harriet’s. Unbelievably, her long wait for

diagnosis is nothing unusual – according to 2020 research by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis, the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis in the UK is eight years. During those years, 58% visit their GP 10 times or more with symptoms and a quarter visit A&E multiple times. Numerous women are told their symptoms are normal or that the pain “is all in their head” and that they just have to live with it. Many of those with endometriosis describe receiving the diagnosis is initially a relief – they have been believed, it’s not all in their head. However, treatment options are limited and not effective for everyone and with no known cure, that relief is often short-lived.

WRITTEN BY Emma Cox CEO, Endometriosis UK

During those years, 58% visit their GP 10 times or more with symptoms and a quarter visit A&E multiple times. Ending the silence Endometriosis UK is fighting to end the silence around endometriosis and to end the pain endometriosis may cause. Our support network was used by 50,000 people last year – a number we want to keep growing and we are campaigning for improved diagnosis and treatment and increased research into the condition. READ MORE AT HEALTHAWARENESS.CO.UK

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There are more reasons than ever to attend colposcopy appointments Cervical screening and colposcopy are powerful way to reduce cancer cases. Now a device that increases the accuracy of detection makes for easier treatment decisions.

H INTERVIEW WITH Dr Natalie Grant Gynaecologist and Colposcopist, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital WRITTEN BY Linda Whitney

earing that you have an abnormal cervical screening result (smear) is always worrying. It may mean being called into a clinic for a colposcopy, a test designed to detect changes to the cells of the entrance to the cervix. “We know that a colposcopy appointment is an anxious time for patients, but don’t be deterred from taking up the appointment,” says Dr Natalie Grant, Gynaecologist and Colposcopist at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Detection is better than ever “With the best combination of the gynaecologist’s experience and new technology, our capacity for detection is better than ever. Attending could put

your mind at rest or mean we can take action as fast as possible.” Fortunately, the number of patients found to have high-grade pre-cancerous changes (high-grade disease) in the cervical cells is falling, because of the introduction of vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), some types of which can cause cancer. Changes to the NHS screening programme also mean that more abnormal cell changes are being detected earlier. Technology brings reassurance New technology, used together with the experience of clinicians, means more cases of high-grade disease are being picked up, so treatment can start sooner.

Why we need to be more honest about the issue of vaginal dryness

INTERVIEW WITH Rachel Rowntree Director of Commerce, The Yes Yes Company Ltd WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

Paid for by Zilico

Find out more at zilico.co.uk

Paid for by The YES YES Company Ltd

Thankfully, a new generation of women aren’t embarrassed about intimate health and think of lube as a natural part of intimacy.

personal lubricants and vaginal moisturisers. “Because in what we see on TV, sex is always instantly amazing and no one ever reaches for lubricant. In reality, that’s not how it is.”

Dryness is extremely common “When it comes to sex, dryness can be seen as a failure,” says Rowntree, Director of Commerce at The YES YES Company which produces a range of organic intimacy products, including

Being honest is a way to change taboos While vaginal dryness is still something of a taboo subject, Rowntree is optimistic that things are changing. “Thankfully, a new generation of women aren’t embarrassed about intimate health and think of lube as a natural part of intimacy.” Most women will experience vaginal dryness at some point in their lives. “It can happen for hormonal reasons, such as menopause, childbirth or breastfeeding,” says Rowntree. “Or it could be down to medication like

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Picking up greater number of cases “It means we are now picking up 21% more cases of high-grade disease and it’s easier to decide whether to take a biopsy or remove the abnormal tissue immediately,” says Dr Grant. “The scan only adds about three minutes to the consultation, it’s not painful for the patient and it’s reassuring for them to have a more accurate diagnosis. “It’s comforting to me too, because it provides more information on which to back up my decisions. I believe it should be available in all colposcopy centres.”

anti-depressants, contraceptives, or just stress. A woman needs to know that while it’s common to experience vaginal dryness, you don’t have to put up with it!”

Vaginal dryness is a taboo subject — although it shouldn’t be because it’s extremely common and isn’t limited to menopause. Thankfully, solutions are readily available. here’s a sex scene in And Just Like That…, the recent sequel to Sex and the City, where one of the main characters reaches for some lube. Rachel Rowntree was delighted that the scriptwriters had included this small but telling moment because it was so realistic and so true. We need to talk honestly about lube, she says. We need to talk more openly not just about lubrication but about intimate dryness, which many women face but don’t deal with.

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital is one of 13 centres across the UK that has equipped its colposcopy unit with Zilico’s ZedScan diagnostic system which provides a real time objective assessment of the cervical epithelial tissue. It uses electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue on the cervix. When used during colposcopy it brings greater accuracy in detecting high-grade disease. “It takes 12 readings all around the cervix opening and provides me with the results immediately, giving me a clear indication of the state of the cells, so I have more information on which to base my treatment decisions,” says Dr Grant.

Finding what works best for you Sourcing intimate care products which respect vaginal pH, don’t irritate or exacerbate vaginal dryness has become a priority for women. Women may be hesitant about introducing a product to their vagina which is why we recommend sourcing natural products and avoiding parabens and glycerine. There are natural, gentle solutions on the market, including moisturisers and lubricants. But how does a woman decide which one to use? “It’s simple,” explains Rowntree. “A moisturiser hydrates delicate tissues — so you could use it regularly, to regulate hydration in the same way you use other moisturisers. Lubricants, meanwhile, are all about sex, comfort and enhancing sexual pleasure.” Choose a pure organic product that will safeguard your intimate health while enhancing your sexual pleasure.

To find out more about YES Intimacy products visit yesyesyes.org and choose between Vaginal moisturisers, water based or oil based lubricants.

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Being breast aware from a young age could save your life Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 25-49, but young people are not routinely screened. Checking regularly is the best way for young people can get to know themselves.

W WRITTEN BY Harri Lowndes Marketing Manager, CoppaFeel!

hen you think of someone affected by breast cancer, who do you imagine? A young person? Perhaps you picture someone older? Although breast cancer risk increases with age, it is the most common cancer amongst women aged 25-49. Many of these breast cancers will be diagnosed following a presentation of self-detected signs and symptoms. Therefore, breast awareness is crucial for early diagnosis. Pleasingly, at CoppaFeel! we have seen an increase in the number of young women checking monthly and an increase in those stating they would feel confident to start. Early diagnosis saves lives It’s important, regardless of age or background, to be checking regularly especially for those who are not screened. Young people are not routinely screened and are often overlooked when it comes to breast cancer information. Our charity is passionate about providing the tools and knowledge young people need to be breast aware because copping a feel regularly increases the chances of noticing anything unusual early. When diagnosed at stage 1, almost all (98%) people with breast cancer will survive their disease for five years or more.

1. Check regularly, once a month. 2. Have a look and feel, as some of the symptoms of breast cancer are changes you would only notice by looking at your chest. 3. Don’t forget to check up to your collarbone and under your armpits, as those areas have breast tissue too. We have also developed a web app called the Self-Checkout, which gives you all the information you need about boob checking, guiding you through the process of getting to know your normal with reassurance from other young people along the way. If you notice a change to your breasts We all have breast tissue, including young, old, guys, gals and non-binary pals – so we should all get to know our chests by checking regularly. At CoppaFeel! we want you to understand that you know your body better than anyone, so if you are concerned about an unusual change, trust your instinct and book an appointment. If in doubt get checked out - it could save your life.

How to get started with checking There isn’t a right or wrong way to check your breasts, what matters is doing it regularly and in a way that feels comfortable. We have some handy pointers to help get started:

Improving breast cancer awareness among ethnic minority groups

Paid for by Breast Cancer Now

Women must report any new or unusual breast changes to their GP – this is key as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely treatment is to be successful.

It is vital that we identify and dismantle the barriers to early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer amongst ethnic minority groups.

n the UK, around 55,000 women and 370 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year – it’s the most common cancer amongst women, with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes.

WRITTEN BY Manveet Basra Head of Public Health and Wellbeing, Breast Cancer Now

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Tackling the taboo of breast cancer Breast cancer incidence is lower among women from ethnic minority groups, but when they are diagnosed, their outcomes are poorer than for white women with breast cancer. Breast health is a ‘taboo’ topic among some ethnic minority communities. Myths and misconceptions can become barriers to women knowing the signs of symptoms of breast cancer and how to check their breasts. Fear and fatalism can also delay,

Find out more at self-checkout. coppafeel.org

or worse, prevent these women from visiting a GP even if they spot potential symptoms of breast cancer. As a result, they’re likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, making it more difficult to treat. Early detection is crucial Women from ethnic minority groups are also less likely to attend breast screening than white women in the UK – further cause for concern as early detection is critical to preventing women dying from breast cancer. We’re committed to improving access, support and care for anyone affected by breast cancer and the public health talks we deliver in workplaces and community groups across the UK enable us to do this.

Empowering women to spot symptoms We tackle taboos, bust myths and raise awareness of breast health and the NHS breast screening programme, as we know this is essential to empowering women to recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women must report any new or unusual breast changes to their GP – this is key as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely treatment is to be successful. Our breast awareness information is available in multiple languages such as Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu. We’ve recently commissioned research to identify barriers and challenges that currently limit levels of breast health awareness among ethnic minority groups. The findings will provide valuable insights for our future work in addressing health disparities, as we strive towards achieving our ambition that by 2050, anyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well.

Scan the QR code to book a Breast Cancer Now Public Health Talk via Breast Cancer Now’s website:

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The silent disease putting women at risk Osteoporosis is a silent threat, especially to women facing, going through or post-menopause – yet it’s widely ignored by doctors and even women themselves.

“

INTERVIEW WITH Shireen Bate Global Franchise Head Osteoporosis, Theramex

INTERVIEW WITH Tina Backhouse General Manager for the UK, Theramex

WRITTEN BY Linda Whitney

Paid for by Theramex

steoporosis affects 3.7 million people in the UK (78% of which are women), but it’s known as the ‘silent disease’ because of under-diagnosis, under-treatment and low public awareness. However, osteoporosis is NOT inevitable and can be prevented.” says Shireen Bate, Global Director of Osteoporosis at Theramex. Women over 50 have similar chances of being affected by osteoporosis as they do from high cholesterol or high blood pressure – yet many are unaware of this risk, remain undiagnosed, and even among those who do get a diagnosis many are not treated. Serious consequences • Osteoporosis has a devastating personal, societal and financial impact. It can cause severe pain, increasing isolation, loss of independence and poor quality of life. • A quarter of working age people with osteoporosis have to give up work, change their job or reduce their hours. • It is estimated that 60% of people need help with activities including eating, dressing and personal hygiene. • Osteoporosis leads to bone fragility. One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will suffer a fragility fracture. Women lose about 50% of their bone mass during the course of their lifetime, about half of which is lost during the first 10 years after the menopause. • Around one in four dies within a year of their hip fracture. Underfunded and neglected Yet despite the total UK costs of osteoporosis reaching 5.5 billion euros, only 2.4% of total UK healthcare costs are spent on treating osteoporosis compared to an EU average of 3.5%. Osteoporosis is not seen as a national health priority and access to testing is far from adequate. Increasing awareness means reducing risk “Osteoporosis is not a normal process of aging but a disease which can be prevented and treated. The International Osteoporosis Foundation is calling for a European-wide strategy to reduce debilitating fractures and the impact they have on women and health care systems” says Professor of Medicine Jean-Yves Reginster, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal and Ageing. “There are simple tools which, by identifying clinical risk factors, offer, in less than one minute, an assessment of the individual fracture risk in men and women for the next 10 years,” he points out.

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Women lose about 50% of their bone mass during the course of their lifetime, about half of which is lost during the first 10 years after the menopause. Taking action yourself A recent study showed that 66% of women seen in primary care who were at high risk of fractures were not given the medication they needed, due in part to a failure to diagnose osteoporosis – so take action to protect yourself. • Be aware of your osteoporosis risk factors and get an early assessment, diagnosis and treatment if needed. • Eat a healthy diet including enough bone health nutrients calcium and protein. • Get enough vitamin D - made in the skin after exposure to sunlight (about 15 minutes daily). Boost vitamin D intake through foods like oily fish, eggs, mushrooms and fortified dairy foods or juices. Or take supplements (1,000 IU/ day) • Maintain a healthy body weight - being too thin (BMI under 19) damages bone health. • Take regular weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercise. • Understand that HRT helps address short term symptoms and can help reduce the long-term impact of osteoporosis. • Avoiding smoking and heavy drinking. Tina Backhouse, General Manager for the UK at Theramex; “We are committed to helping women manage all aspects of their health through innovative products that look after women at all stages of their lives. We believe that postmenopausal women need to better understand their risk of osteoporosis and how to reduce their chance of getting a life changing fracture and we know that as a company, working with HCPs and support groups, we are in the unique position of helping make this happen.”

Scan the QR code to find out more

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Q&A:

Support is available to help you through the menopause Every woman is an individual and symptoms of the menopause can vary hugely in duration and severity. It is important to understand your own symptoms in order to seek the best support. Q: For women who are in their 40s, what should they be aware of when thinking about the perimenopause?

Women are born with all the eggs that they ever have; most will never develop. They dwindle over time but the decline in numbers and quality accelerates during the 40’s. At some point in time women will appreciate that there is a change in their body. They have become perimenopausal. This lasts until a year after their last period when they are then deemed to be postmenopausal. The last menstrual bleed normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. It will occur before the age of 40 in about 1% of women. Perimenopause is all about the remaining eggs which need to be driven harder to work. This tends to shorten the gap between periods. It also increases the natural hormonal roller coaster effect. Women who always had some changes in mood before a period or hormonal headaches will often find that these get worse. They may start to experience the classical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes and sleep disturbance in the days before bleeding that then resolve.

Q: “Can I take what happened to my mum during menopause as a guide for me?”

Following on from above the rate at which eggs are lost tends to follow a family pattern as there are genetic influences. It holds true that the best indicator of age at last period is how old your mum was: even in today’s technological age. Symptoms are best described as the response to dropping levels of oestrogen which is the key female hormone in this respect. Oestrogen receptors are found in many body tissues and some will be very

sensitive to its loss. Temperature regulation is organised deep in the brain stem. The area of the brain involved has many different influences, but oestrogen is key. Despite this 25% of women have few or no flushes. They are still menopausal they are just less sensitive to the changes resulting from it. This level of sensitivity also may be genetically determined.

It holds true that the best indicator of age at last period is how old your mum was: even in today’s technological age. Q: Where can I seek support?

The Menopause and Me website has tailored information about all stages of the menopause, understanding the changes to the body and treatment options. If you feel you are struggling with any aspect of your menopause journey, ask your healthcare professional for advice and help. You are not alone. Whatever the symptoms, help is available for you.

WRITTEN BY Dr Sarah Gray GP and Women’s Health Specialist, St Erme Medical Received honorarium from Viatris

Paid for by Viatris

About Viatris VIATRIS is a different kind of healthcare company founded amid the COVID-19 pandemic and with an ambitious mission: to empower people to live healthier at every stage of life, regardless of geography or circumstance. They do so via Access, Leadership and Partnership. In the UK, Viatris produce medicines for patients across a broad range of major therapeutic areas, such as women’s healthcare, cardiovascular, diabetes and metabolism, respiratory and allergy, dermatology and much more.

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