Australian Researchers Make Endometriosis Treatment Breakthrough

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Facts

  • Researchers at Sydney's Royal Hospital for Women have made an important breakthrough in endometriosis treatment. The development is being compared to scientific breakthroughs in the treatment of breast cancer that took place 30 years ago.1
  • Endometriosis is a disease in which the body grows tissue that is similar to the tissue growing in the uterus in other parts of the abdomen. While symptoms vary, one-in-nine women worldwide are impacted.2
  • The researchers have successfully grown each known type of endometriosis in the laboratory and are now able to test different treatments against the tissue types. The development will aid doctors in determining specific treatments for women and better understanding their future fertility needs.3
  • Jason Abbott, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology said, "Thirty years ago, we treated all breast cancers the same...we now know there are many different types of breast cancer and treat them accordingly."3
  • There is no cure for the disease, and treatments are typically targeted at symptom management. Symptoms can include chronic pain with menstrual periods, intercourse, bowel movements and urination, as well as severe pelvic pain, bloating, nausea, and fatigue, and can often lead to depression, anxiety, and infertility.4
  • Abbott hopes that with this breakthrough doctors will be able to predict if a patient will suffer from an aggressive form of the disease and can then treat the patient with a treatment that will improve their quality of life and preserve fertility.1

Sources: 1Guardian, 2Brisbane Times, 39, and 4WHO.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by NCBI. Endometriosis has long been referred to as the "missed disease." A lack of understanding of the condition has caused it to be left behind by the scientific community. This has fed misunderstandings about the condition and led to a societal belief that the symptoms are either made up or somehow the fault of the woman. These microaggressions against women have led to a dearth of policy action and research into the debilitating disease. Attention needs to be drawn to this life-limiting condition to improve the quality of life for the women suffering daily.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Chester County Hospital. The spotlight on women's health and wellness has grown brighter than ever before. Advancements in heart health and lung health have been impressive but there is more work to be done. Scientists and doctors will continue to push advancements but women must still do their part. Eating healthy, exercising, attending all annual physical exams in a timely manner, and continuing to push for their medical, mental, and emotional needs are critical.