In this blog, Gennev CEO Jill Angelo talks about her plans to get to know more about her body so she can make the best possible decisions for her long-term health.
In the next two weeks, I am going to know so much more about my body than I ever thought I would.
I’m participating in two studies: Mirakind’s KRAS-variant gene research for breast cancer, and the Weill Cornell Medicine Alzheimer’s Prevention study for women in menopause.
We’re all unique in how much we want to know about the future of our health and well-being. I’m not a worrier, but I like knowing the facts, so that I can take every measure to nourish and care for my body as long as possible.
My grandmother lived to the beautiful age of 103, so I have plans for my future.
Both research studies are led by smart, thoughtful women who are bringing significant learnings to women’s health.
Dr. Joanne Weidhaas founded MiraKind as a nonprofit research organization in 2013, following her discovery of the KRAS-variant, an inherited genetic mutation associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Every year, scientists like Dr. Weidhaas discover hundreds of novel genetic markers that could benefit millions of patients. Unfortunately, very few of these discoveries make it beyond the research laboratory for validation.
After filling out the simple application on MiraKind’s website, I received the cheek swab kit in the mail. I read the simple directions, swabbed the inside of both my cheeks, packed it into the biohazard packaging they supplied, and dropped it in the mail.
Dr. Weidhass and her team at UCLA will process my kit and deliver the results to a doctor of my choice.
I’ll be waiting.
Next Monday, I board a plane to NYC to begin my participation in Dr Lisa Mosconi’s Alzheimer’s Prevention study in women.
Dr. Mosconi is Director of the Weill Cornell Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic, where she and her colleagues are working to understand the correlation between menopause and Alzheimer’s. She’s also an advisor for Gennev, and we’re proud to have her brilliant mind guiding us in this business.
Her hypothesis is that the hormonal changes we go through starting in perimenopause cause metabolic changes in the brain that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women.
According to Dr. Mosconi, “In the next three minutes, 3 people will develop Alzheimer’s. Two of them will be women.”
Yikes!
I’ve got a history of Alzheimer’s in my family, so I’m diving in to study me. Even more, this study allows me to do my part to help advance how we educate women heading into menopause about managing their risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Next Tuesday I will begin 2 days of fasting, cognitive testing, PET scans and MRIs. I’m not sure what will come out the other end, but I’ll be documenting my experience and sharing it with you.
Why am I getting so personal? I believe that as women we can learn from one another.
If you’re reading this, you’re part of the Gennev tribe. The only way to break down the stigma surrounding menopause is to talk about it. And what happens in our bodies. And how we can manage that.
Stay tuned as I begin these next 2 weeks of learning. It’s going to get personal, but I trust that you can take some learning from it.
More than anything, I hope it inspires you to take charge of your health by getting educated, speaking with credible practitioners, and engaging in dialogue in the Gennev community.
Wish me luck!
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