During the month of July, we join the many healthcare professionals and organizations that are working to spread awareness of uterine fibroids. The need for increased awareness is underscored by a recent Hologic/Harris Poll survey, which indicates that only 61 percent of US women are even familiar with uterine fibroids.1 Although you’re likely counseling your patients about fibroids all year long, Fibroid Awareness Month provides a timely platform for addressing the issue and discussing treatment options.
Better understand her symptoms
If your patient has recently noticed some symptoms that could be indicative of fibroids, it’s helpful to get an overview of everything she might be experiencing. This patient-friendly symptom quiz can be completed before the visit (the results can be saved and printed). Your patient can share the results with you, and her responses may help inform the next step of your care.
Access a new online resource
Just in time for Fibroid Awareness Month, we’ve launched a new web page intended to help your patients—and you. The web page helps educate women on overall gynecological health as well as fibroids and related treatments. It may give your patient a more thorough understanding of her own body and symptoms so she is better prepared to discuss next steps.
The web page also contains a digital resource kit that supports you in communicating with your patients. Here you can access social post and email templates to help you educate your patients about fibroids and treatment options.
Discuss her treatment options
If you determine that fibroids are the cause of her symptoms, it’s time to discuss her options. Although a “watch and wait” approach is often appropriate for patients who have fibroids but who are asymptomatic, if your patient’s symptoms are causing discomfort or interfering with her daily life, treatment is likely warranted.
An important item to address right away is to dispel the idea that fibroid treatment always means a hysterectomy. Your patient may think that removing her uterus is the only option and may shy away from even considering treatment. You can help put her at ease by reviewing the following minimally invasive treatment options that may help relieve her symptoms:
- Tissue removal using the MyoSure® device—A simple hysteroscopic procedure called a myomectomy removes fibroid tissue without having to remove or even cut the uterus. It is typically an outpatient procedure that takes about 10 minutes. This may be a good option if your patient is considering having children in the future. MyoSure tissue removal offers a full suite of devices that enables uterine tissue removal in a wide range of sizes and locations
- Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation using the Acessa® procedure—Controlled heat is delivered directly into a fibroid. The treated tissue softens and shrinks over time, allowing fibroid symptoms to resolve without difficult and time-consuming uterine suturing.2 This procedure allows for a full view of the pelvic anatomy by simultaneously displaying the lap camera view and the ultrasound view in real time so you can easily locate and target nearly all types of fibroids, including intramural.3 This is not recommended for women who are planning future pregnancy
Encourage her to hear from other women
Of course, it’s incredibly important for you, her physician, to inform your patient about fibroids and related treatments. But when she hears directly from women who have been through it themselves, the information resonates on a personal level.
That’s why one of the most important aspects of Fibroid Awareness Month is women sharing their experiences with other women. Encourage her to visit the GYN Surgical Solutions website, which is a great resource for learning about fibroids and the MyoSure and Acessa procedures and where she can also find videos from women just like her. She might also find support in the social media pages for Hologic and the Acessa procedure.
This month—and every month—you can help your patient understand that her fibroid symptoms are legitimate, she has options for her treatment, and she is not alone in her journey. And in doing so, you can help give her the confidence to finally find the relief she deserves.
Visit the links shown above, and to learn more about the MyoSure and Acessa procedures, contact your sales representative.
References:
- This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Hologic between May 10-12, 2022 among 997 female adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Bridget Perry at bridget.perry@hologic.com.
- Havryliuk Y, Setton R, Carlow JJ, Shaktman BD. Symptomatic fibroid management: systematic review of the literature. JSLS. 2017;21(3): e2017.00041. doi:10.4293/JSLS.2017.00041
- Chudnoff SG, Berman JM, Levine DJ, Harris M, Guido Rs, Banks E. Outpatient procedure for the treatment and relief of symptomatic uterine myomas. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(5):1075-1082. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828b7962
Important Safety Information
MyoSure Tissue Removal System
The MyoSure® tissue removal system, consisting of the MyoSure tissue removal devices (LITE, REACH, XL) and MyoSure controller, is intended for hysteroscopic intrauterine procedures by trained gynecologists to resect and remove tissue including submucous myomas, endometrial polyps, and retained products of conception. The MyoSure MANUAL hysteroscopic tissue removal device is intended for intrauterine use by a trained gynecologist to hysteroscopically resect and remove tissue, including focal lesions such as endometrial polyps and retained products of conception. MyoSure products are not appropriate for patients who are or may be pregnant, or are exhibiting pelvic infection, cervical malignancies, or previously diagnosed uterine cancer.
For more details on risks and benefits of the MyoSure system, MyoSure MANUAL tissue removal device, MyoSure hysteroscope and the Aquilex® fluid control system, please consult their respective IFUs.
Acessa ProVu System
The Acessa ProVu system is indicated for use in percutaneous, laparoscopic coagulation and ablation of soft tissue, including treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance. The Acessa ProVu system is contraindicated for patients who are not candidates for laparoscopic surgery and/or patients with a uterus adherent to pelvic tissue or viscera. The Acessa ProVu system’s guidance system is not intended for diagnostic use. Please read all instructions for use of the Acessa ProVu system prior to its use. Safe and effective electrosurgery is dependent not only on equipment design but also on factors under control of the operator. Rare but serious risks include, but are not limited to, infection, injury to adjacent structures, blood loss and complications related to laparoscopy and/or general anesthesia. Insufficient data exists on which to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Acessa ProVu system in women who plan future pregnancy, therefore the Acessa ProVu system is not recommended for women who are planning future pregnancy.