Non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids now being offered in Chicago
Research Shows that Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids are More Prevalent Among African American Women
Meet Drs. Leonard Lawson and Eric Brown, two well respected gynecologists in Chicago, who are raising awareness for woman who suffer from symptomatic uterine fibroids by encouraging them to learn about a non-invasive treatment option called ExAblate.
Leonard Lawson
For more information on Dr. Leonard Lawson:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/obgyn/faculty/Lawson.htm
Eric Brown
For more information on Dr. Brown:
http://rush.photobooks.com/directory/profile.asp?dbase=main&setsize=10&Specialty=42&pict_id=0004660
According to the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, African American women are 2 to 3 times more likely to get uterine fibroids than women of other ethnic groups. Fibroids are benign growths in a woman’s uterus that often cause unwanted symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, painful sex, pelvic pressure, and urinary problems. Certain types of fibroids may be related to infertility, and large fibroids may cause a woman to appear pregnant. A woman with symptomatic fibroids generally has diminished self-esteem, physical ability, and overall quality of life.
Hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, has traditionally been the most widely accepted solution to get rid of fibroids. Recovery time after this invasive surgery is lengthy, and without a uterus, women are no longer able to have children and they can be left with undesirable hormone imbalances.
Other fibroid options include myomectomy (surgical removal of individual fibroids) and uterine fibroid embolization (a minimally-invasive procedure to block blood flow to the fibroids). Both of these procedures still require an incision into the body and a hospital stay, but preserve the uterus. Conservative approaches to fibroid management include drug therapy, which requires continued use for temporary relief, and watchful waiting, which is not an option to many women who already have fibroid related symptoms.
ExAblate is the only non-invasive outpatient fibroid ablation procedure.
What is the Chicago African American Fibroid Project?
The Chicago African American Fibroid Project is an attempt to raise awareness about uterine fibroids in the African American community of Chicago, by encouraging women to become educated on all their options for treatment, including ExAblate, a non-invasive outpatient procedure.
Drs. Lawson and Brown are providing the ExAblate procedure to women who have healthcare insurance while collecting data to further educate the community. Their hope is that these women will spread the word about this non-invasive fibroid treatment, and allow the community to realize that invasive surgery is not the only solution to fibroids.
Who is involved?
Drs. Lawson and Brown have partnered with an imaging center to provide this outpatient procedure to eligible patients who have healthcare insurance. The procedure will be performed at Medical Image of Northbrook Court.
The multi-discipline team of medical professionals involved in the ExAblate treatment are:
Gynecologists:
- Leonard Lawson, MD
- Eric Brown, MD
- Howard Arof, MD
Radiologist
Nurse and Patient coordinator:
MRI Technologist:
What will I receive?
Patients will receive:
- education and a consultation for their fibroid treatment options,
- an MRI scan to determine eligibility for the procedure, and if eligible,
- an ExAblate MR guided Focused Ultrasound treatment for their fibroids.
The clinical coordinator will help each patient with insurance paperwork, and provide follow-up care related to the procedure.
Patients will be required to complete short surveys after the procedure, and are encouraged to "spread the word" about exploring fibroid treatment options.
What does the ExAblate procedure involve?
Find out more by clicking here: http://www.uterine-fibroids.org/
Can I get this treatment if I live outside of Chicago?
Currently, this organized education and awareness project is only being done in Chicago. If you live in Chicago or its suburbs, you will be eligible to partake in the project. The ExAblate procedure is offered in cities outside of Chicago as well. To find a site outside Chicago near you, click here: http://www.uterine-fibroids.org/location.html.
How can I get involved and see if I’m eligible?
Please contact patient coordinator Rhoda Rancap, RN, MS at 847-509-1852 or e-mail _____.
|
