‘The Real’ Joins Forces with Hologic to Reduce Disparities in Uterine Fibroid Care for Women of Color

In our country, Black and Hispanic women are not receiving the care they deserve. That’s why “The Real” is partnering with Hologic to help reduce the disparities in health care for women of color, specifically pertaining to the issue of uterine fibroids.

As outlined by Project Health Equality, Hologic’s multi-year commitment to decreasing health disparities in women of color, these groups are more likely to suffer from fatal illnesses than white women. Not only are Black women in the U.S. two times more likely to die from cervical cancer than white women, Hispanic women are 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 30 percent more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women.

In the area of uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths in the uterus, Black women are disproportionately affected by this ailment. Though uterine fibroids affect approximately 26 million women in the U.S., 74 percent of Black women will have multiple fibroids, compared with 31 percent of white women.

Black women are twice as likely to be hospitalized for fibroid-related issues than white women and are likely to be diagnosed with fibroids at younger ages. Despite this, Black women will often wait years before seeking treatment, in part due to being offered more invasive procedures.

With regard to these treatments, Black women are more than twice as likely to undergo a hysterectomy and have almost a sevenfold increased risk of undergoing myomectomies — surgical removal of fibroids. Additionally, Black women have reported that they did not receive quality care from their medical providers, who may not be culturally competent in treating all of their patients.

In a September 14 roundtable discussion called “Unmuting Fibroids: Getting Loud for Equal Care” — a partnership between Hologic and the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) — medical experts, political figures, and celebrities discussed how uterine fibroids affect the world, particularly Black women.

Former star of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” Cynthia Bailey noted the stigma attached to speaking up about said health issues.

“I felt very alone. I felt if I brought it up, I was being dramatic,” Bailey admitted. “Okay, so you’re on your period, what’s the big deal? I felt like no one really understood what I was dealing with or going through.”

Many speakers, including “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Nichelle Turner, brought up the importance of openly discussing uterine fibroids and menstrual cycles so women in all communities can feel supported, encouraged, and secure.

“The first thing we need to do is take the shame off, take the veil off,” Turner declared. “I just came back to work and I’ve been saying I just had surgery, but what I realized I need to say is, ‘I had fibroid surgery’ and talk about what that is and what that means.”

During this enlightening talk, our speakers discussed the critical actions our country must take to reduce these disparities across the whole healthcare system.

• Designate periods as a vital health sign

To do so, medical experts must outline what a healthy menstrual cycle is and why it is

important to discuss a patient’s period — which may signal other health conditions such as uterine fibroids.

• Educate health care providers about uterine fibroids and their effect on the Black community to connect women with culturally competent care

During the talk, panelists agreed that medical schools need to prioritize information about uterine fibroids and their impact on Black women. In doing so, providers can connect Black women with physicians who understand their needs.

“Having a Black doctor walk me through my symptoms was a complete 180 and really changed my outlook on treatment,” said Kimberly Wilson, founder and CEO of HUED and special projects editor at ESSENCE.

• Support legislation that funds research, education, and awareness to providers and patients

Panelists, particularly those in the world of politics, agree that lawmakers need to pass laws, including the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2021 (S. 2444/H.R. 2007), aimed at funding research and disseminating information about uterine fibroids.

“This is not a partisan issue,” said Kim Miller-Tolbert, deputy legislative director and policy advisor for Cory Booker (D-NJ). “We are trying to eliminate disparities and provide more options and awareness.”

By discussing these disparities in our health care system, we can not only fight the stigma surrounding such issues but also provide women with the care they deserve.