ENDOMETRIOSIS: SEMINAR BRINGS EXPERTS AND VICTIMS TOGETHER TO TACKLE DISEASE (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

ENDOMETRIOSIS: SEMINAR BRINGS EXPERTS AND VICTIMS TOGETHER TO TACKLE DISEASE

March 28, 2007 2:49 PM

Endometriosis awareness campaign Legislators, physicians and women with endometriosis from across Europe came together at a lunch seminar in the European Parliament today (Wednesday 28th March) to raise awareness of the disease.

Diana Wallis MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, who hosted the event said:

"I am very pleased that today's event was so well attended not only by parliamentarians but also by representatives of the European support organisations. Endometriosis affects at least 14 million women and girls in the EU. Their suffering is not visible but the disease can leave lifelong scars."

Italian Senator, Laura Bianconi, who chaired the investigation in the Italian Senate which led to endometriosis being recognised as a social disease in that country, added:

"By taking care of women, we are safeguarding our future."

The Italian Senate is embarking on a five year plan to improve treatment of women with endometriosis in Italy.

Professor Thomas D'Hooghe from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, a leading researcher in this field for over 20 years, concluded:

"Even within a specialist centre we do not have treatments which cure endometriosis. If we as clinicians and scientists are truly to help women get optimal treatment, significant investment is needed into causal research, so that we can work towards prevention of endometriosis for the next generation of women. Developing treatments that actually work will preserve these women's fertility, improve quality of life, and reduce socio-economic costs".

Notes:

Endometriosis is tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, which is found in other areas of the body (mainly in the abdominal cavity). The tissue bleeds and forms implants, lesions, blood-filled cysts, and adhesions resulting in inflammation, pain, infertility and other medical problems. Despite being recognised since 1690, the cause of endometriosis is still not known, and subsequently there is no cure.

The World Endometriosis Research Foundation is the first global charitable organisation to address causal research in endometriosis. It is a joint collaboration between the European Society for Human Reproduction, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the World Endometriosis Society. With sufficient funding, its global reach may herald a new era of meaningful medical research in endometriosis.

In 2005 a Written Declaration on Endometriosis, organised by Diana Wallis in the European Parliament, attracted more signatures than on any other human health issue. Yet little action has been carried out by member states in awareness, information campaigns and causal research, which the Declaration called for.