Fibroids Awareness Month
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract found in 70-80% of persons with a uterus during their lifetime and are estimated to affect up to 40% of patients of reproductive age clinically[1]. Globally we have seen an increase in the incident trends of fibroids in 186 of 204 countries with the burden shifting towards low and middle sociodemographic index regions[2]. Although benign, their clinical sequelae can be profound. Fibroids remain a leading cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, pregnancy complications, and hysterectomy worldwide. Beyond their clinical manifestations, they carry an enormous personal, societal, and economic burden, contributing to billions of dollars in annual healthcare costs and lost productivity. In the United States alone, the estimated annual cost of uterine fibroids has risen to approximately $41.4–42.2 billion (2022 estimate, in 2023 USD), up from $34.4 billion in 2010. Lost work-hour costs account for the largest proportion of the economic burden, and cesarean delivery remains the largest contributor (~80%) to indirect obstetric costs. [3]However, despite their prevalence and impact, fibroid disease continues to be underrecognized, undertreated, and underfunded.
It is paramount that we continue to shift the paradigm of therapeutic strategy to recognize the importance of early diagnosis and longitudinal care. Scientific advances have expanded our understanding of fibroid biology, genetics, and the social determinants that influence disease development and outcomes. Novel medical therapies, increased access to minimally invasive surgical techniques, image-guided interventions such as radiofrequency ablation, and precision medicine approaches are giving us more options to offer patients than hysterectomy. At the same time, artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, tumor genetics, and predictive analytics promise to further personalize treatment and improve outcomes.
Scientific innovation alone is not enough. Significant disparities persist in fibroid care. Black women experience earlier disease onset, more severe symptoms, higher surgical rates, and greater barriers to accessing minimally invasive and uterus-preserving treatments. Addressing these inequities requires more than technological advances—it demands collaboration, advocacy, education, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care.
July is Fibroid Awareness Month. Although we are aware of fibroids every month, it is a reminder to continue to amplify the voices of our patients, work to reduce disparities in care and access, provide comprehensive information regarding all therapeutic options, and continue our commitment to transforming fibroid care globally through accelerating evidence based surgical and medical innovation.
References:
- Uterine Fibroids. Stewart EA, Laughlin-Tommaso SK. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(18):1721-1733. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2309623.
- Global, regional, and national burden of uterine fibroids in the last 30 years: Estimates from the 1990 to 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. Cheng LC, Li HY, Gong QQ, Huang CY, Zhang C, Yan JZ. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Nov 7;9:1003605. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1003605. PMID: 36419793; PMCID: PMC9676237.
- The Annual Economic Burden of Uterine Fibroids in the United States (2010 Versus 2022): A Comparative Cost-Analysis. Hazimeh D, Coco A, Casubhoy I, Segars J, Singh B. Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). 2024;31(12):3743-3756. doi:10.1007/s43032-024-01727-0.
