Susan LePlae Miller on Empowering Women to Advocate for Their Own Health

Susan LePlae Miller, founder of Pieces of I and vice president of Programs and Partnerships at My Density Matters, a breast cancer nonprofit, has been working in women’s health for over four and a half years, motivated by a passion for empowering patients to have better conversations with their doctors.

According to Miller, a key aspect of this empowerment is encouraging women to learn about their own health, understand their symptoms and collaborate with their healthcare providers. At My Density Matters, the focus is on providing education that leads to action. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” she says, emphasizing the importance of awareness in women’s health.

As a postmenopausal woman herself, she has gone through many of the symptoms she works to address. She wants to help other women have better, more collaborative conversations with their doctors, underscoring that the relationship with a healthcare provider should be one of teamwork, not confrontation.

Miller advises women to prepare for their appointments by writing down their symptoms and questions ahead of time. She cautions against relying too much on online information and instead encourages patients to communicate directly with their healthcare providers, either through a patient portal before the appointment or by bringing a list to the visit. She acknowledges that doctors are often busy, so sending information ahead can help ensure that important concerns are addressed.

She emphasizes that women must advocate for themselves, stay informed and actively monitor their health. If test results show abnormalities, such as elevated cholesterol levels, Miller suggests taking the initiative to bring it up with the doctor, even if it hasn’t been mentioned.

For Miller, the most important message is that health is a priority.

“Your health is the most important thing,” she says. “If you want to be around to live—which I do—you have to take care of yourself and share that information, and don't allow shame and stigma to get in the way of you living fully. You are here to live—and let's do that—but you have to take ownership of your own health.”