Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the persistent issue of the belief that men have larger and therefore better bodies than women with host Krys Boyd. She explores the history of sexism in medicine and how lingering stereotypes still impact women’s medical care, despite women outnumbering men in medical schools.
The conversation touches on the challenges that women in medicine face, from discrepancies in treatment to biases in research and diagnosis. Dr. Comen sheds light on how historical beliefs about women’s bodies continue to influence medical practices today, emphasizing the importance of debunking these myths for improved healthcare outcomes for all.
Through her expertise and research, Dr. Comen addresses the need for a shift in mindset within the medical community to ensure that women receive the same level of care and attention as men. By bringing attention to the underlying biases and stereotypes that exist in healthcare, she advocates for a more equitable and inclusive approach to medicine that prioritizes the unique needs and experiences of women.
Dr. Comen’s book “All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters Today” delves into this topic further. In her book, she highlights how historical beliefs about gender roles have influenced medical practices, leading to disparities in treatment for women.
She explains how these beliefs have persisted even as more women enter medical school and become doctors themselves. Despite this progress, there are still many barriers that prevent women from receiving equal care.
Dr. Comen argues that it is crucial to address these biases head-on if we want to create a more equitable healthcare system for everyone.
She believes that by challenging these stereotypes, we can create a world where both men and women receive the same level of care they deserve.
Overall, Dr. Comen’s work is an important reminder that we must continue to fight against sexism and discrimination in healthcare if we want to achieve true equality for all people.
