Endometriosis

Organization Celebrates Women, Girls Living with Painful and Often Misunderstood Disease (PRWEB) March 3, 2005 -- Officially backed by formal legislation, the Endometriosis Research Center (ERC) is once again celebrating March as “Endometriosis Awareness Month.” Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which uterine lining migrates outside the uterus, implants in other areas of the body and abnormally grows. The disease affects more than 5.5 million women and teens in the United States and nearly 70 million more worldwide, yet continues to be stigmatized simply as "painful periods." The ERC maintains that Endometriosis is more than just killer cramps. “We continue to find that Endometriosis remains misdiagnosed, misunderstood and ineffectively treated, despite being one of the most prevalent causes of pelvic pain in women and teens around the globe," said Michelle E. Marvel, ERC Founder and Executive Director. Researchers remain unsure as to the definitive cause of the disease, and there is no absolute cure. Current studies indicate that genetics, immune system dysfunction and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may be contributing factors to disease development. A leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, Endometriosis also accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States annually. Symptoms include pelvic pain often associated with menses, infertility, pain with intercourse, gastrointestinal difficulties, fatigue, allergies and other immune system dysfunction. Recent research has also shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and autoimmune disorders in those with Endometriosis, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself. Confirmation of Endometriosis can only be made through pelvic surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed, and once diagnosed it is not unusual for the patient to undergo several surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat symptoms. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The ERC pioneered the efforts to increase recognition of Endometriosis among local, state and federal policymakers throughout the nation. Through their work, the United State Congress has previously passed the country's first-ever National Endometriosis Awareness Resolution, H. Con. Res. 291. The first and only of its kind to formally recognize the disease and declare March as Endometriosis Awareness Month, H. Con. Res. 291 “strongly supports the Endometriosis Research Center's efforts to raise public awareness of Endometriosis throughout the medical and lay communities, and recognizes the need for better support of patients with Endometriosis, the need for physicians to better understand the disease, the need for more effective treatments, and ultimately, the need for a cure." The states of Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Michigan have also previously passed legislation recognizing the disease. The ERC is an established non-profit organization focused on research facilitation, providing education and support programs, and raising disease awareness. This year, the ERC is pleased to again announce the passage of various legislation, including the state of California, with the passage both of a statewide Awareness Resolution as well as a Proclamation issued by the city of Lancaster; the state of Colorado, with both a Governor’s Awareness Proclamation and the passage of Resolution HJR05-1014; and the ERC’s own home state of Florida, with the passage of Senate Bill 1588. “We are extremely grateful to the elected policymakers throughout the country who continue to champion our efforts and facilitate the passage of these important resolutions and legislative actions,” said Marvel. “The women and girls suffering from the far-reaching and multifactorial aspects of this disease everyday deserve to be validated and acknowledged by society at large.” The ERC strongly advocates early intervention, timely diagnosis and efficacy of treatment for the disease. Through their efforts to raise public awareness in the medical and lay communities, the organization hopes to facilitate better support of patients, increase physician understanding of the disease and raise research funding, leading to more effective treatments and ultimately, a cure. The ERC, unique in that it is a free organization, has traditionally celebrated the entire month of March as Awareness Month, coinciding with the organization’s annual anniversary. The ERC is pleased by the show of support this year from International Endometriosis Community. For details on global awareness activities and to learn how the ERC will be celebrating throughout the entire month of March, contact the ERC at 800/239-7280 or visit the organization’s website at http://www.endocenter.org.