Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Black Women Await More Federal Research Into Fibroids


Uterine discomfort and heavy bleeding has been a constant presence in Renee Brown Small's life.

"I was in my 20's and I couldn't go to the beach with my girlfriends because of the bleeding," says Small.

Small is one of many African American women who suffer with fibroids— non-cancerous uterine tumors that can grow as large as a cantaloupe and often cause pelvic pain, along with other symptoms.The prevalence of fibroids — especially among African American women, who develop them at a higher rate — was a topic of discussion at the recent White House sponsored United State of Women Summit. 

Some 20 to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids by age 50, according to the Office of Women's Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. This year, The National Institutes of Health estimates it will spend around $10 million dollars in research on the condition — $4 million dollars less than in 2012.  

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Source: NBC News

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