October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time not only to raise awareness, but to celebrate innovation, amplify women’s voices, and inspire advocacy that drives meaningful change in healthcare. At ImagineSoftware, we proudly hosted a women’s health panel discussion, Healthcare, Focused on HER, featuring remarkable leaders in the healthcare industry: Dr. Dana Bonaminio, Director of Breast Imaging at Ascension Saint Thomas Center for Breast Health; Linda Wilgus, Co-Executive Director of Radiology Business Management Association; Emily Beard, Program Coordinator for Breast Cancer and GYN Oncology at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute; and Dianne Keen, Vice President of Strategy and Growth at AbbaDox. Their stories and insights remind us that women’s health is at a critical intersection where technology, personalized care, and advocacy must align to change outcomes for generations to come.

 

Breaking Barriers in Breast Health

Dr. Bonaminio explains screening mammography remains the frontline defense in saving lives, “Screening mammograms have the potential to save your life.” While the general recommendation is annual mammograms beginning at 40, women should begin risk assessments as early as 25, considering family history, breast density, and genetic testing when appropriate.

Her advice is both practical and powerful, “You’re going to be 32 anyway. You might as well do the thing you’re passionate about.” That passion translates into prioritizing your own health – knowing your body, asking the right questions, and not letting fear delay screenings that can change everything.

Learn more at the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s National Mammography Program, where you can find a screening facility near you.

 

The Promise of Precision Medicine

Emily Beard emphasizes how precision medicine is reshaping cancer prevention and treatment. Once a “one-size-fits-all” approach, oncology is now entering an era of personalized care. “What works for me and what works for you are going to be really different treatments,” she explains.

“Rather than soaking everybody with a fire hose, we can now pinpoint that target, like an arrow, with a more personalized approach.”

This shift means not just more effective treatments, but fewer side effects, better quality of life, and a stronger foundation for survivorship.

 

Innovation in Interventional Radiology

For Dianne Keen, her advocacy is rooted in personal experience – her young niece’s breast cancer diagnosis. That moment sparked a career-long passion for interventional radiology (IR).

From uterine fibroid embolization to minimally invasive procedures addressing pelvic pain, IR innovations are giving women options beyond surgery, offering faster recovery and life-changing relief. Keen states, “Putting yourself at the top of the list of who you need to take care of is essential.”

Learn more about Interventional Radiology during our on-demand webinar, OBL Game Plan: Crafting a Winning Strategy for Outpatient Interventional Radiology Success.

 

Advocacy as a Lifeline

As Linda Wilgus highlights, innovation cannot advance without advocacy. Cuts to research and healthcare access threaten to widen disparities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“Thirty percent of women are not getting the follow-up care they needed because of barriers like distance to care or cost,” she notes, urging support for legislation such as the Find It Early Act to expand insurance coverage for breast imaging and follow-up exams.

Learn more about follow-up care during our on-demand webinar, Automating Follow-Up for Healthy Revenue and Healthier Patients | Women’s Health + RADNAV.

 

A New Era of Women’s Health

From AI-enhanced mammography to social media advocacy, our panelists see a future where women not only live longer but live better.

  • AI tools are emerging to assist radiologists, offering second reads and even image-based risk assessments.
  • Clinical trials are finally becoming more inclusive of women, leading to more relevant and impactful findings.
  • Social platforms are empowering women to normalize conversations about breast health, transforming what was once taboo into movements of solidarity and self-care.

 

Awareness into Action

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than pink ribbons, it’s a call to action. Schedule your mammogram. Know your risk. Ask about precision medicine and clinical trials. Advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to care. Together, we can transform awareness into action, and innovation into impact, for women everywhere.