Womb condition ignored in black women
Dr Anita Sharma is back on the familiar ground of raising awareness of a women’s blight that has been tragically trivialised by medics.
But this time the founder of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity is looking at alleviating the pain females feel from Fibroids.
And with research suggesting that black women develop the womb growths THREE TIMES faster than those of their white sisters, she is aiming her “get smart about fibroids” message at African and Caribbean communities.
“Just as certain inherited markers mean that Asian people are more likely to suffer from diabetes, black women have a genetic propensity towards fibroids” said Dr Sharma, at the launch of Fibroids Awareness Month, “added to that, hormone biology and lack of Vitamin D from sunshine, play a part. But it is also poorer services in poorer areas and ignorance around the condition rearing its ugly head. that leads to women experiencing such discomfort.”
Fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumours in women of reproductive age. Although many doctors point out that they are not a sign of cancer, Dr Sharma was at great pains to remind us that:
• Fibroids lead to heavy or painful periods, accompanied by bloating
• They can result in stomach and lower back pain
• They sometimes cause incontinence
• Pain and discomfort during sex occurs and,
• Fibroids can even prevent women getting pregnant
A staggering 80% of black women of childbearing age develop them.
“There is a reluctance and even fear amongst the black community about attending scans” continued Dr Sharma, “that means by the time they are diagnosed the fibroids have become bigger and bleeding and pelvic pain is more severe.”
She added: “Fibroids are the most common non-cancerous growth. However I do wonder if my colleagues in the medical profession know enough about them and whether they simply dismiss fibroids because they are not cancer. And then there is the poorer provision of gynaecological services in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. This means once again that the condition hits the poorest, hardest.”
“Sickle Cell anaemia is perhaps the best known condition that people know affects the black population more than any other” concluded Dr Sharma, “but all the research shows that chronic conditions such as stroke, prostate cancer, and mental health disorders are more prevalent, too. We need to study the reasons why and address them. Black Health matters – as much as that of everyone else.”
Read more about Fibroid Awareness Month by visiting
Make it a moving movie night
A few short days after its premiere in Yorkshire, you can now see the full version of the film “No Longer #Unheard.”
Featuring heart-rendering interviews with those battling endometriosis, it also includes a one-to-one with our founder Dr Anita Sharma – watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kP8fjHSBWM&t=12s
We have already put it on record several times, but we’ll say it again, the work of the creative media students from Shipley College is superb.
Please share the movie with everyone you can.
It is a powerful polemic on the importance of endometriosis awareness.
Mayoral meet for Dr Sharma
Our charity is enormously proud of its Rochdale roots and so we were delighted to meet the Greater Manchester town’s new first citizen, Faisal Rana.
The borough has hosted all types of events with us, including free webinars on pain relief and fertility. We also held pride of place at its first-ever LGBT+ event. Rochdale was even the location for the official launch of our founder Dr Sharma’s book, “Endometriosis in Primary Care.”
Past office bearers and current MPs including Elsie Blundell have also championed our work, making Rochdale justifiably holders of the title, “the home of endometriosis awareness.”
#endometriosis #endo #rochdale
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.