Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, are a common health issue that disproportionately impacts women of color. According to recent data, up to 80% of Black women will develop fibroids by age 50, and Hispanic women are twice as likely to be affected compared to white women. Yet many women are unaware of the condition and the effective, non-surgical treatment options available, such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
UFE is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. A catheter is inserted through a tiny incision and guided using real-time imaging to the blood vessels supplying the fibroids. Small particles are injected to block blood flow, causing the fibroids to shrink over time. Compared to open surgery, UFE typically results in less pain and a shorter recovery period. It is covered by all major insurance plans.
Kenya Green, a patient who suffered from fibroids for decades, shared her experience: "Before UFE, my entire life was planned around my fibroids — what I could wear, where I could go — all to manage the symptoms and pain I was experiencing." Initially, her OBGYN offered only birth control or hysterectomy. However, through a friend, she learned about UFE and consulted an interventional radiologist. "I was in my early 30s and I was not ready for the changes hysterectomy would bring," Green said.
Dr. John Lipman, an interventional radiologist and founder of the Atlanta Fibroid Center, emphasized the importance of awareness: "Fibroids are the number 1 reason why women undergo hysterectomy, which is unnecessary in the significant majority of cases and can be replaced with the much safer, less invasive, nonsurgical UFE procedure." He noted that despite full endorsement from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) in 2008, many women are not informed about UFE by their doctors.
Statistics show a troubling knowledge gap: 36% of Black women and 22% of Hispanic women mistakenly believe they are not at risk for fibroids. Dr. Lipman urged women to seek second opinions from interventional radiologists. "Women are entitled to know all of their treatment options and not just the surgical ones. UFE is an absolute game changer for fibroid sufferers, but the biggest problem is that most patients are unaware of this outstanding procedure."
For Green, UFE transformed her life. "Since I had my UFE, I no longer have to plan my life and my wardrobe around my fibroid symptoms. I am pain free and living a life of abundance, enjoying time with friends and family without worry." As July is Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month, advocates stress that all women deserve to know their treatment options. For more information, visit the Radiology Health Equity Coalition Uterine Fibroid Resources page.
