Black Women & Fibroids

Event information

Black women are more likely to suffer from fibroids and they find that they are often referred to hysterectomy (removal of the womb) as the only option.
Uterine fibroids (singular Uterine Fibroma) are benign tumors which grow from the muscle layers of the uterus. They are the most common benign neoplasm in females. Often asymptomatic, they cause symptoms in about 25% of white and 50% of black women [1]. Uterine fibroids often do not require treatment, but when they are problematic, they may be treated surgically or with medication — possible interventions include a hysterectomy, hormonal therapy, a myomectomy, or uterine artery embolization. Estrogen receptors on uterine fibroids cause fibroids to be larger in reproductive years and shrink dramatically in size after a woman passes through menopause. Uterine fibroids are more common in overweight women and women of African descent.

We will hear experiences of women who had fibroids and dealt with them via surgery. We will also hear from a woman who had a 10lb fibroid and from a consultant gynaecologist.. This is a repeat by popular demand of a previous event held at the Science Museum in June