🩺 The Future of Early Cancer Detection: A Game-Changer for Women’s Health

Did you know that 30% of women who are ultimately diagnosed with ovarian cancer are first referred to a mental health specialist and prescribed antidepressants—dismissed as if their pain were all in their head—before ever receiving a proper diagnosis?

But imagine this: A simple blood test that could detect ovarian cancer early, saving countless lives. It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to cutting-edge innovation, it’s becoming a reality. In my latest conversation on my podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO of AOA Dx, whose mission is to revolutionize women’s health with early ovarian cancer detection using liquid biopsy technology.

This matters—80% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, when survival rates plummet to 28%. But if detected at stage 1 or 2, that number skyrockets to 90%. The problem? There has been no reliable, accessible diagnostic test—until now.

🛑 Why Has Ovarian Cancer Been So Hard to Detect?

Ovarian cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose because:

• Symptoms are vague and often dismissed as perimenopause, IBS, or stress.

• It doesn’t show up clearly in imaging.

• A tissue biopsy requires surgery—by the time it’s confirmed, it’s often too late.

This diagnostic gap has left women waiting 9 months on average for a proper diagnosis, often undergoing a frustrating trial-and-error approach with doctors.

🩸 A Blood Test That Could Save Lives

AOA Dx’s breakthrough lies in novel lipid biomarkers—a game-changer in cancer detection. Unlike traditional diagnostics that focus on proteins, circulating DNA, or tumor cells, this approach identifies glycolipids shed into the blood by ovarian cancer cells, offering an early and accurate detection method.

🚀 Why Now? The Tech Finally Caught Up

What’s exciting is that this wasn’t possible 10 years ago. Advances in:

• Machine learning & AI for multiomic data analysis

• Precision instruments capable of detecting lipid biomarkers

• Improved diagnostic algorithms for more accurate results

…have finally aligned to make early detection of ovarian cancer a reality.

Share

📉 Healthcare’s ‘Treat, Not Prevent’ Problem

A recurring theme in our discussion was the reactive nature of healthcare. The system is built to treat diseases, not prevent them, which means funding and focus have lagged for early diagnostics. Ovarian cancer has had no major innovations in 30 years, partly because:

• It lacks a high-profile awareness movement (think breast cancer’s pink ribbon).

• It wasn’t prioritized for research and funding.

• The biology of ovarian cancer makes early detection particularly challenging.

💰 The #1 Barrier? Reimbursement & Public Policy

Even with groundbreaking technology, getting healthcare systems to pay for it is a battle. In the U.S., insurance reimbursement for diagnostics can take years to approve—far too long for startups trying to survive. Without financial support, innovation dies before it reaches patients.

Public policy needs to evolve to streamline reimbursement, making early detection tests more accessible and preventing late-stage diagnoses that cost the system far more in the long run.

💡 The Takeaways: What Needs to Happen?

1️⃣ Patients need to self-advocate – Women must push for answers when experiencing symptoms, not accept dismissals or delays.

2️⃣ Physicians need better tools – Doctors currently have no reliable test to differentiate ovarian cancer from other conditions. AOA Dx’s blood test changes that.

3️⃣ Healthcare needs a prevention mindset – Investing in early detection saves lives and money. Policymakers and insurers need to step up.

⏳ The Future of Women’s Health is Here

This is bigger than just one test—it’s about redefining how we approach women’s healthcare. By focusing on early diagnosis, leveraging AI-driven precision medicine, and advocating for smarter healthcare policies, we can move from a reactionary system to a preventative, life-saving one.

Are we ready to make early detection the norm? Let’s keep the conversation going—hit Reply and share your thoughts!

Stay empowered,

Peggy Van de Plassche

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

#biotech #cancer #healthcare #womenshealth

📗The Best Career Book I Read in 2025 (so far)!

Reading has been one of the few constants in my life since childhood. I devour everything I come across—newspapers, magazines, books, newsletters—you name it, and I’ll probably want to read it! Lately, I’ve been enjoying audiobooks, and the most recent one I listened to was The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark. This is by no means a new book, it was published in 2021 but I only picked it up a couple of weeks ago.

Most people play the short game. The real winners? They think decades ahead.

In her book the author lays out a playbook for those who want more than just quick wins. She makes a compelling case for strategic patience, optimizing for interesting, and the power of deep, long-term relationships.

This book resonated deeply with me because this is how I’ve built my career—not by chasing short-term opportunities, but by playing the long game, making meaningful connections, and prioritizing what genuinely excites me.

Here are the biggest takeaways and why they matter.

🚀 1. Optimize for Interesting, Not Just Immediate Gains

Clark introduces a game-changing idea: stop optimizing for the next paycheck or title—optimize for what fascinates you.

This is counterintuitive in a world where specialization is king, but the most successful people I know aren’t narrowly focused. They are renaissance thinkers, weaving together different disciplines, ideas, and relationships.

📌 What this means for you:

• Follow your curiosity even if it doesn’t have an immediate ROI.

• Invest in learning broadly—cross-pollination of ideas leads to breakthroughs.

• Don’t box yourself in. The most valuable careers (and lives) are multidimensional.

💡 My take: This mindset shift changed my career. Instead of chasing the next raise or promotion, I followed what truly interested me. I never took a linear path—and it turns out, interesting leads to innovation.

That’s why my career has spanned industries like financial services, manufacturing, tech, health & wellness, and public service across multiple cities and countries.

For some, it might look “messy.” For me, it’s interesting!

🤝 2. The Best Relationships Have No Expiry Date

One of the best parts of the book? Clark’s approach to networking and relationships.

Long-term relationships don’t need a deadline, a reason, or an immediate purpose. They exist because they’re valuable in themselves.

Clark calls this "strategic serendipity"—cultivating relationships without expectation, trusting that the right opportunities will arise over time.

📌 What this means for you:

• Build relationships with interesting people, not just “useful” ones.

• Give before you ask—networking is about reciprocity, not extraction.

• Stay connected for the long haul. Some of the best opportunities come from relationships you’ve nurtured for years.

💡 My take: This is exactly how I operate. I can’t count the number of times a casual, long-term connection has led to an unexpected career breakthrough. No agenda, no transaction—just genuine relationships between people who enjoy spending time together.

And it goes both ways—whether it’s reconnecting with an old contact looking to return to Canada and helping him find a job, or being offered a fascinating advisory mandate by a former board member colleague.

I don’t “cultivate” people, and I certainly don’t like being “cultivated.” Some people enjoy my company, and I enjoy theirs—simple as that. At the end of the day, people do business with people they genuinely like.

⚖️ 3. Give & Take: The Art of Asking (Without Being a Taker)

Clark is a master at breaking down how to network without being predatory. Because let’s be honest—some people don’t get it.

🚫 Asking for an intro from someone you barely know? Not okay.
🚫 Demanding free coaching/advice without offering value? Not okay.
🚫 Assuming access is a right, not a privilege? Definitely not okay.

Clark’s advice? Use common sense. Just because “one should ask” doesn’t mean you have a free pass to ask anything from anyone.

📌 What this means for you:

• Be thoughtful in your asks—respect people’s time and boundaries.

• Give before you take. Offer something valuable first.

• Don’t be transactional. Real networking is about building trust, not making demands.

💡 My take: I’ve had my fair share of predatory networkers—people who cross boundaries, take without giving, and treat relationships as one-way streets. Don’t be that person. The best connections are built on mutual respect, not extraction.

At this point, I have an almost allergic reaction to people who couldn’t care less about who I am and only want something from me. In the past, I might have entertained it—now, it’s a hard no. I am not a mark.

And for those who think they’re being subtle, breaking news: inauthentic relationships are always obvious.

Share

🎯 4. The 20% Rule: Playing the Long Game Daily

Clark argues that if you’re not actively investing in your long-term vision, you’re stuck in survival mode.

Her 20% rule suggests dedicating one-fifth of your time to long-term projects—even when there’s no immediate payoff.

📌 What this means for you:

• Set aside time every week for big-picture thinking.

• Work on projects that don’t pay off today but will in 5-10 years.

• Avoid short-term thinking traps—most people underestimate how much compounding effort matters.

💡 My take: The best moves I’ve made in my career? They didn’t happen overnight. They were the result of consistent, long-term effort—small bets that grew into massive opportunities.

It took me two years to find a job in Canada. It took me a decade to break into VC. And sometimes, those investments didn’t work out—and that’s OK too!

There’s always something to learn. Knowing what you don’t want is just as important as knowing what you do. And along the way, you meet some great people, which is a win in itself.

Share

🔮 The Bottom Line: Are You Playing the Long Game?

In a world obsessed with instant results, quick wins, and shortcuts, The Long Game is a powerful reminder that real success comes from long-term thinking.

If you:
✅ Want to build a meaningful career instead of chasing the next gig
✅ Believe in building relationships, not transactions
✅ See success as a marathon, not a sprint

Then this book is a must-read.

Now, here’s my question to you: What’s one long-term bet you’re making on yourself this year? Hit reply and let’s talk. 🚀

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

#LongGame #Networking #Success #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy