USA Fibroid Centers Applaud Fibroids Research and Education Bill

    NORTHBROOK, IL, August 17, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- USA Fibroid Centers applauds the introduction of the Uterine Fibroids Research and Education Act and supports this critical legislation that provides funding for research and education for a condition that affects an estimated 26 million Americans and causes a variety of symptoms including pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy loss and even infertility according to the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that are the leading cause of hysterectomies in the United States. The National Institute of Health estimates that 75% of reproductive-age women have uterine fibroids and the occurrence and severity of symptoms are significantly higher among African American women.

"Fibroid disease is a curable condition that women need to be educated about its symptoms and non-surgical options that can successfully remove fibroids in an office setting," said Yan Katsnelson, M.D., Founder and CEO, USA Fibroid Centers. "Equally vital is that these procedures receive approval by Medicaid, Medicaid managed care and other health insurance plans, including employers' owned health insurance plans to be performed in office settings."  

Lack of education around fibroids often leads to misdiagnoses, despite it being the most common gynecological condition according to Senator Kamala D. Harris, (D-CA) who introduced the bill last week along with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-11). They estimate that uterine fibroids cost the U.S. health care system an estimated $9.4 billion annually.

"The benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) includes avoiding surgery, anesthesia and a hospital stay which make it the "gold standard" of treatment for fibroid disease in symptomatic women who have failed conservative therapy," said Katsnelson. "UFE is an FDA-approved procedure that preserves fertility and allows the patient to resume to normal activities more quickly than other procedures. Unfortunately, it is not often presented to women as a treatment option." 

During a UFE procedure, an interventional radiologist uses ultrasound mapping to locate fibroids and a tiny catheter is inserted and injects embolic material into the uterine artery. The material blocks the fibroid's blood supply and nutrients which causes it to shrink and eventually wither away.

The proposed uterine fibroids bill calls for increased research and public education to fix the inequities in the health care system.

"Insurances need to stop closing panels and limiting patient choice to Interventional Radiologists who provide UFE," Katsnelson said. "Insurance coverage is just as critical as education and awareness of fibroids in reversing the trend that leads in millions of women suffering in silence," said Katsnelson. 

For more information about USA Fibroid Centers and fibroid treatment options, visit https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/ or call 855-615-2555.

USA Fibroid Centers' mission is to provide personalized, non-surgical treatment for fibroids using an advanced procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). USA Fibroid Centers is dedicated to raising awareness of UFE as a treatment option and encouraging more conversation about fibroids. For more information, visit USA Fibroids Centers.

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