The Fibroid Foundation

Saturday’s Fibroid Summit 2024 was unforgettable! We shared stories, learned about groundbreaking research, and connected with a community passionate about change. Many attendees even had the chance to speak directly with doctors and researchers about their own fibroid journeys, against the backdrop of the beautiful Vital Voices Global Partnership. Thank you to our sponsors, Procter & Gamble’s Always, our amazing speakers and everyone who joined us in moving toward a brighter future for women with fibroids. If you weren’t able to make summit in person, you can still watch the research, experiences and insights shared virtually on November 13th! Stay tuned for more info. Thank you to Imagine Photography for capturing the day!

We’re extremely proud of our founder, Sateria Venable, who represented the Fibroid Foundation at yesterday’s Women’s Health Research Initiative meeting at The White House. It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate on advancing women’s health and ensuring that issues affecting quality of life for women receive the attention they deserve. Sateria’s dedication and passion for improving women’s lives is an inspiration to us all. The Fibroid Foundation is honored to lead the community core portion of the COEQUaL research study with The National Institutes of Health alongside Mayo Clinic, University of Florida, and the University of Mississippi. Over the next five years, we’ll work to address quality of life and health disparities in women’s health. Join us in this journey. Sign up at fibroidfoundation.org to stay updated on this transformative research and our ongoing initiatives. Liz Powell Kathryn Godburn Schubert Claire Gill Irene Aninye

Welcome to another Fibroid Friday! The Fibroid Foundation and Mayo Clinic are excited to bring you another edition of #FibroidFriday. Which of these topics interest you the most this week? -FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces $110 Million in Awards from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health to Accelerate New Discoveries and Innovation The Biden-Harris Administration announced $110 million in awards from ARPA-H to advance transformative women’s health research, aiming to address conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women. This funding supports 23 projects tackling issues like cardiovascular health, endometriosis, chronic pain, ovarian cancer, and migraines, with a focus on innovative diagnostics and personalized treatments. Major projects include a non-invasive blood test for endometriosis, a chronic pain assessment tool, and at-home tests for preeclampsia. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to close gaps in women’s health research and improve quality of life across diverse conditions. Full Text: https://lnkd.in/eCGwT_rb -Chronic Ectopic Pregnancy Mimicking Broad Ligament Fibroid: A Case Report This case report highlights a rare chronic ectopic pregnancy (CEP) mimicking a broad ligament fibroid in a 28-year-old woman with prolonged bleeding. Initial tests and imaging suggested a fibroid, but an exploratory surgery confirmed CEP—a condition that can cause severe complications if undiagnosed. CEP is often mistaken for other pelvic masses, such as fibroids or endometriosis. This report underscores the importance of considering CEP in differential diagnoses to prevent serious outcomes. Full text: https://lnkd.in/esEHdTzi -GLP-1 Drugs Tied to Reduced Risk of Uterine Fibroids A recent study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, used for type 2 diabetes, were associated with a lower risk of developing uterine fibroids compared to other antidiabetic medications. Women taking at least two doses had a 27% reduced risk of fibroids compared to metformin users and a 25% reduction compared to insulin users. While these findings are promising, more research is needed to understand the protective effect. Using data from the TriNetX database, researchers followed women with type 2 diabetes for five years after starting medication. Although the study suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists may help prevent fibroids, researchers noted limitations, including a lack of data on fibroid size and symptoms. Future studies will further investigate these outcomes. Full text: https://lnkd.in/eFKci7_d

🚨 Final Call: Just a Couple Spots Left for the 2024 Fibroid Summit This Saturday! 🚨 Are you a physician eager to learn about new and effective fibroid treatments to help your patients? Or someone personally impacted by fibroids looking for solutions? Join us this Saturday in Washington, DC for an unforgettable day of cutting-edge research, expert panels, and actionable insights that can transform care for women with fibroids. Lunch is on us, and we’ve got vegan and gluten-free options! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be part of the conversation. Only a handful of tickets remain—RSVP now before it’s sold out at https://lnkd.in/erBWZyJX

DMV-based physicians, join us for an in-depth look at the latest in fibroid research and treatment. Discover new insights that can help YOU provide better care for your patients with fibroids. This FREE event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge and connect with peers working to help women with fibroids. Spots are almost gone—reserve your free tickets now at https://lnkd.in/erBWZyJX. Tag your DMV-based physician friends and colleagues in the comments - they don't want to miss this event!

Today we celebrate #WorldMenopauseDay, an important day of awareness surrounding a transition that ALL women will navigate. Check out our suggestions on ways to celebrate the day, and leave your own in the comments!

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. Raymond Manohar Anchan, a dedicated member of the Fibroid Foundation's Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Anchan founded the Anchan Lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital, which focused on groundbreaking research aimed at treating gynecological conditions, including uterine fibroids. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Anchan was known for his compassion and commitment to his patients and community. His passion for advancing women's health, coupled with his unwavering kindness, made him not only a brilliant physician and researcher but also a beloved mentor and friend. He made a profound impact on the lives of countless women, offering hope and support to those facing the challenges of gynecological conditions. Dr. Anchan’s legacy will live on through his family, the lives he touched and the strides he made in the field of women’s health. His absence leaves a deep void, but his memory will continue to inspire all of us at the Fibroid Foundation and beyond.

We were honored to be a sponsor for Praise 104.1’s 2024 Spirit of Praise! As a sponsor, we had the opportunity to meet attendees to talk about our upcoming Fibroid Summit and invite them to join our community. We met so many amazing women who are battling fibroids or have battled fibroids, and heard many ground breaking stories. What stuck out to us was the women we met who didn’t have fibroids, but took information for friends or family who they know need help. We’re looking forward to getting to know the DC faith community even better in the near future and can’t wait to see you all again at Fibroid Summit on October 26th! PS Did you spot our new tees? They’ll be for sale at Summit, and on our site very soon. ❤️

Welcome to another #FibroidFriday! Fibroid Friday is a partnership between the Fibroid Foundation and Mayo Clinic to bring the latest fibroid research to those who need it most - women with fibroids. This week’s topics explore inequalities in how women of different races and socioeconomic backgrounds experience fibroids, as well as the consequences of living with fibroids long term. Which topic interests you most this week? -What Happens If You Have An Enlarged Uterus? Expert Explains Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment An enlarged uterus can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms and is often linked to underlying health issues such as fibroids, adenomyosis, or even cancer. Women may experience pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, and bloating. Fibroids are the most common cause, affecting up to 80% of women before age 50. Other causes include adenomyosis, endometrial cancer, and pregnancy. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve medications, hormone therapy, or surgery. Don't ignore unusual symptoms—early diagnosis can help manage these conditions! Text: https://lnkd.in/ewhsYmAz -Unearthing Inequalities in Minimally Invasive OB-GYN Surgery Research into minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) highlights disparities in access and outcomes for women of color. Although MIGS provides safer, faster options for treating conditions like fibroids and endometriosis, Black and Latina women are less likely to receive these procedures and experience worse outcomes when they do. Cedars-Sinai studies show that only 57% of Black women received minimally invasive fibroid surgeries compared to 81% of white women, resulting in more invasive procedures and higher rates of complications. Efforts are underway, including Cedars-Sinai's new MIGS Fellowship program, to close these gaps and train the next generation of surgeons to better serve women of color. Text: https://lnkd.in/eUXDvtQM -Health Literacy’s Role in Uterine Fibroid Awareness and Treatment Choices The literature review by Joyvina Evans highlights the role of health literacy in uterine fibroid awareness and treatment. Women with lower health literacy, income, and education are more likely to undergo invasive treatments like hysterectomies due to limited understanding of alternative options. This delay in seeking care often worsens symptoms and leads to more severe outcomes. The review calls for enhanced patient education and better communication from healthcare providers to ensure women fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. More research is needed on how health literacy impacts fibroid treatment decisions. Text: https://lnkd.in/evjxMXum

🌍 World Mental Health Day is a reminder that the well-being of our employees should always be a priority. With up to 80% of women developing fibroids in their lifetime, it's crucial to recognize how these health challenges impact not only their physical health but also their mental well-being. Employers and leaders have a responsibility to create supportive work environments that acknowledge these realities. Providing flexible schedules, mental health resources, and fostering a culture of understanding can go a long way in making sure women feel supported at work. Every employee deserves a space where they can thrive—mind and body. What are you doing to ensure that women with fibroids have that experience in your workplace?