Whereas greater than 75 p.c of ladies may have uterine fibroids of their lifetime, new survey findings reveal a lack of information about minimally invasive therapy choices and that hysterectomy was introduced as a therapy for over half of ladies identified with uterine fibroids.
Over 50 p.c of ladies between the ages of 18 and 44 weren’t acquainted or had not heard of uterine fibroids, in keeping with the web survey of 1,122 ladies performed by the Harris Ballot on behalf of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR).1
Of the 167 survey respondents who had been identified with uterine fibroids, lower than 20 p.c acquired details about much less invasive therapy choices starting from over-the-counter NSAIDs and oral contraceptives to uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a process generally carried out by interventional radiologists.1
Whereas 53 p.c of ladies identified with uterine fibroids had been introduced with hysterectomy as a therapy for the situation, solely 17 p.c had been instructed about uterine fibroid embolization, in keeping with a latest survey commissioned by the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR).
“The survey findings, coupled with the low variety of ladies who had been provided a minimally invasive therapy like UFE, point out that girls will not be being given all the data they should make their very own health-care selections,” famous John C. Lipman, M.D., FSIR, the founder and medical director of the Atlanta Fibroid Middle in Georgia. “Not providing minimally invasive therapies like UFE along with the surgical therapy choices is a big oversight.”
Noting that a number of research have demonstrated the effectiveness of UFE, SIR emphasised that 90 p.c of those that endure UFE have vital aid from uterine fibroids or full decision. For ladies who’re conversant in UFE, solely 40 p.c realized concerning the therapy choice from physicians, in keeping with the survey.1
Whereas analysis has proven a threefold larger danger of uterine fibroids amongst Black ladies and double the chance for Hispanic ladies, the survey findings revealed that 36 p.c of Black respondents and 22 p.c of Hispanic respondents don’t consider they’re in danger for the situation.1,2 Survey findings additionally confirmed that half of Hispanic respondents and 37 p.c of Black respondents weren’t conscious of uterine fibroids.1
“The survey famous deep disparities in consciousness and entry relating to fibroids and fibroid therapies amongst Black and Hispanic ladies, who’ve the next danger issue for growing uterine fibroids,” identified Robert J. Lewandowski, M.D., the president of SIR, and professor on the Northwestern College Feinberg Faculty of Drugs. “The information function a guiding gentle for enhancing doctor and affected person instructional efforts on numerous therapies to make sure all ladies, no matter background, are knowledgeable about their dangers and the complete vary of therapy choices out there.”
References
1. Society of Interventional Radiology. Survey finds most ladies with uterine fibroids are provided hysterectomies over minimally invasive therapies. Accessible at: https://www.sirweb.org/media-and-pubs/media/news-release-archive/fibroid-fix-report-07092024/ . Revealed July 9, 2024. Accessed July 9, 2024.
2. Catherino WH, Eltoukhi HM, Al-Hendy A. Racial and ethnic variations within the pathogenesis and scientific manifestations of uterine leiomyoma. Semin Reprod Med. 2013;31(5):370-379.
