DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF JULY 2021 AS UTERINE FIBROIDS AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, uterine fibroids are muscular tumors that develop inside the wall of the uterus; and

WHEREAS, fibroids are most common in women in their forties and early fifties, and up to 80% of women develop fibroids by the age of fifty; and

WHEREAS, raising awareness through education can help women understand the warning signs of fibroids they may pass off as “normal”, such as heavy periods, chronic pelvic pain, or a protruding abdomen unaffiliated with weight gain; and

WHEREAS, the relative risk of developing fibroids is three times greater in Black women, who are more likely to be affected at an earlier age, experience delayed diagnosis, and possess three times the risk of developing anemia; and

WHEREAS, while the tumors are almost always benign, it is important to highlight the symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Because in some cases, women report severe and disabling physical issues such as urinary tract infections, kidney damage, miscarriages and early labor, and fetal growth restriction; and

WHEREAS, increasing awareness about the impact of uterine fibroids brings attention to the quality of care and support women receive from practitioners regarding their diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, one in five women believe that the only treatment available is a hysterectomy, an invasive procedure involving the removal of the uterus. However, a non-surgical option known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) preserves the uterus and ovaries. Yet half of diagnosed women have never heard of the procedure; and

WHEREAS, Black women are disproportionately impacted by not knowing their treatment options and therefore are seven times more likely to have a complete removal of the uterus, and twice as likely to experience post-surgical complications; and

WHEREAS, bringing attention to this frequently diagnosed disease will reduce at-risk women from having unnecessary hysterectomies, where in the United States there are 12 hysterectomies performed every 10 minutes, with up to 9 of them being unnecessary; and

WHEREAS, states are dedicating July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month due to the efforts by organizations such as the White Dress Project and the Fibroid Foundation.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of July 2021 is recognized as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes July 2021 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month in Delaware

Author: Senator Walsh