A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has revealed that more than half (53%) of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids were primarily offered a hysterectomy. In contrast, fewer than 20% were presented with less invasive alternatives such as over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; 19%), uterine fibroid embolization (UFE; 17%), oral contraceptives (17%), and endometrial ablation (17%). Additionally, 17% of women surveyed “mistakenly” believe that hysterectomy is the only available treatment, a misconception held by over 27% of women aged 18–34.
The survey highlights a “significant lack of awareness” among women regarding uterine fibroids. Approximately 72% of women are unaware of their risk for developing fibroids, despite up to 77% of adult women developing them at some point in their lifetime. The incidence of fibroids is notably higher among women of colour, with Black women experiencing the highest rates.
John C Lipman (Atlanta Fibroid Center, Smyrna, USA)—advisor for the report—emphasised the importance of informing women about all available treatment options. He noted that the survey results indicate a gap in education, as minimally invasive treatments like UFE are not being consistently offered. Lipman criticised the tendency to prioritise surgical options over minimally invasive ones.
“The survey findings, coupled with the low number of women who were offered a minimally invasive treatment like UFE, indicate that women are not being given all of the information they need to make their own healthcare decisions,” said Lipman. “Not offering minimally invasive treatments like UFE in addition to the surgical treatment options is a significant oversight. Women need to be informed about the complete range of options available for treating their uterine fibroids; not just the surgical options as is most commonly done by gynaecologists.”
The survey included over 1,000 women in the USA, including those diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and are part of the report titled ‘The fibroid fix: What women need to know’ which serves as a resource to inform women about minimally invasive treatment options for uterine fibroids.
UFE is a minimally invasive, image-guided, non-surgical, outpatient treatment that is performed by an interventional radiologist. The treatment is often just as effective as other uterine fibroid treatments and doesn’t require the complete removal of the uterus. Even though several studies have noted the long-term efficacy of UFE, this survey shows that women are not learning about UFE from their doctors. Among women who have heard of or are familiar with UFE, only two in five (40%) first heard or learned about the procedure from a healthcare provider.
The survey also found significant gaps in awareness across different demographics. More than half of women aged 18–34 (56%) and 35–44 (51%) reported being unfamiliar with uterine fibroids. Among Hispanic women, 50% were unaware of fibroids, compared to 37% of Black women. Furthermore, 22% of Hispanic women and 36% of Black women incorrectly believe that they are not at risk for developing fibroids, despite being two and three times more common in these groups, respectively. Furthermore, the survey showed that in women with uterine fibroids who are seeking treatment, 48% prioritised prevention of recurrence and 46% proven effectiveness.
“The survey noted deep disparities in awareness and access regarding fibroids and fibroid treatments among Black and Hispanic women, who have a higher risk factor for developing uterine fibroids,” said Robert J Lewandowski (Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA), president of the SIR. “The data serve as a guiding light for improving physician and patient educational efforts on various treatments to ensure all women, regardless of background, are informed about their risks and the full range of treatment options available.”
UFE involves inserting a thin catheter into an artery and guiding it to the fibroid’s blood supply. Small particles are released to block the blood vessels, causing the fibroid to shrink and die. Most patients can leave the hospital the same day and resume normal activities within a week. Studies show that nearly 90% of UFE patients experience significant or complete symptom resolution.
“Women suffering from fibroids are often given only one treatment option by their gynaecologist—hysterectomy—without being informed of less invasive treatments, like UFE,” said Lipman. “Many patients don’t want a hysterectomy and they’re left to suffer in silence, even though their lives could be transformed back to normal if they only knew about UFE.”
