{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Are Mammograms Safe? | Dr. Jenn Simmons","description":"Are mammograms truly protecting women \u2014 or is it time to rethink how we approach breast health? In this powerful and deeply nuanced conversation, Dr. Anna Cabeca sits down with former fellowship-trained breast surgeon turned integrative oncologist Dr. Jenn Simmons to unpack one of the most important questions in women\u2019s health today: Are mammograms safe \u2014 and are they enough? Together, they explore how conventional breast cancer screening became the standard, what the research actually says about radiation exposure and screening frequency, and why early detection is not the same as prevention. Dr. Simmons shares her personal turning point \u2014 from 17 years at the forefront of breast oncology to leaving conventional medicine and founding Real Health MD after her own health crisis. What she discovered changed everything: inflammation, toxicity, hormone disruption, and metabolic dysfunction matter far more than women are being told. This episode goes beyond mammograms. It dives into: \u2022 Radiation risks and over-screening \u2022 Alternative imaging options including thermography, ultrasound, and emerging technologies \u2022 Hormones and breast cancer \u2014 clearing the misinformation \u2022 Why anti-estrogen messaging can be harmful and incomplete \u2022 Bioidentical progesterone and protective mechanisms \u2022 Birth control pills and breast development risk \u2022 The power of metabolic health, fasting windows, detoxification, and terrain theory Most importantly, this conversation restores agency. You are not powerless when it comes to breast health. Knowledge is evolving. Screening is evolving. Hormone science is evolving. And you deserve the full picture. \u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013 KEY TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Reimagining breast health and questioning the narrative 01:23 Introducing Dr. Jenn Simmons and her paradigm shift 09:47 From breast surgeon to integrative oncologist: her turning point 12:28 Functional medicine approach: \u201cWhat caused the cancer?\u201d 27:19 Mammography myths and reviewing the research 33:01 Radiation exposure: known carcinogen discussion 35:31 Biopsy concerns and imaging alternatives 42:07 Medical board pressures and guideline rigidity 53:04 \u201cAnti-estrogen talk is misogynistic\u201d 01:04:10 Birth control pills, teens, and breast cancer risk \u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013 MEMORABLE QUOTES Dr. Jenn Simmons: \u201cRadiation is a known carcinogen.\u201d \u201cAny anti-estrogen talk is misogynistic.\u201d Dr. Anna Cabeca: \u201cWhat caused your cancer to begin with?\u201d \u201cIt takes more than hormones to fix our hormones.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s always one next right step we can take to advocate for our health.\u201d \u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013 CONNECT WITH DR. JENN SIMMONS Website: www.realhealthmd.comInstagram: @drjennsimmons YouTube: @dr.jennsimmons Book: The Smart Woman\u2019s Guide to Breast Cancer \u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013 CONNECT WITH DR. ANNA CABECA Website: www.dranna.comInstagram: www.instagram.com\/thegirlfrienddoctor YouTube: www.youtube.com\/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: www.tiktok.com\/@drannacabeca Facebook: www.facebook.com\/thegirlfrienddoctor \u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013 If this episode spoke to you, share it with a girlfriend, your daughters, your mother \u2014 every woman deserves this conversation. You are seen. You are informed. You are empowered. \ud83c\udf39 ","author_name":"The Girlfriend Doctor w\/ Dr. Anna Cabeca","author_url":"https:\/\/drannacabeca.com\/pages\/show","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40144270\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/32184a\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/40144270"}